using a PSU to power LEDs...questions

[masterosok]

I am building an arcade control panel that will have several LED light buttons that require a 5v power source and a backlight trackball that will require a 12v source. I am going to use a 250w computer power supply to supply the power. I have wired an SPST toggle switch to the ATX adapter on the PSU and I have 2 questions. (the switch is generally designed for use in automobiles, I am assume to switch on and off license plate lights or other car accessories. Its made by Calterm, PID: 40293)


1. On the back it says that it an in-line fuse holder should be installed when using the switch. Do you think in this capacity that will be needed. If so which prong would I wire it to? It has 3, Power, ACC (accessory) and ground. I shouldn't be pulling anywhere near 30a from the PSU. The LEDs pull a max of 60ma each and I may just end in removing the bulb from the trackball and wiring an LED there instead of using the 12v bulb.

2. The LED on the toggle switch isn't coming on when its connected correctly. In order to power on the PSU you have to short the power-on wire(usually green on the ATX connector) with a ground wire. I have the power-on connected to the Power prong and if the ground wire is connected to only the ground wire the LED lights up but doesn't power on the PSU. If the ground is connected to the ACC prong it powers up the PSU but not the LED on the switch. I also connected the ground to the ground prong and the ACC prong at the same time but the LED still doesn't light

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[shatteredzman]

Look on your power supply and make sure the 5v rail can supply enough amps to power your leds.

[masterosok]

I actually have received the LED Pushbuttons, I am just trying to get the one LED on the toggle switch to stay lit when its connected to the PSU correctly.

[BobA]

The problem is how you are using the switch.   It is a spst lighted toggle.   With terminals power, accessory, ground

When you connect the switch the power and ground are connected to 12V and ground in an auto.  When the switch is turned on the power and is routed to the accessory lug to power lights or whatever is connected.   When this happens the led inside the switch lights.     It cannot light the led if all you are doing is connecting the atx ground thru power and accessory terminals.  So the switch can short the ATX contacts but cannot light the LED.

Get an AC rated switch and use it to apply AC power to your PSupply and leave the short wire in place on the atx connector. Alternately leave the short in the ATX harness and use a smart strip to power on the power supply to provide power for your lights.

Edit: corrected grammar

[masterosok]

Is there any concern with using the switch I have if I don't want to get another one and the LED issue isn't a big deal.

Do you think I need the in-line fuse holder? I think the 12v rail gets a max of 34amps and the switch is rated at 30.. is that going to be an issue?


This is how I am going to wire my CP and was curious if any issues would arise from this method.

I have a PSU (500w) that I am wiring to toggle switch to it as well via a terminal block.  I will be wiring my LED-Wiz the the terminal block with a ground and 5v connected to it. I also will be running a 12v to the terminal from the PSU to the 12v bulb on my back-lit trackball..

Everything is connected via molex connectors except the toggle with with is shorting the Power-on and ground contracts on the ATX connector.

[BobA]

I thought you were using the switch to make the short to turn on the supply at the ATX connector.   If that is where it is there is almost no power going thru it and a fuse is not needed.   The other wiring should be OK as a good power supply is usually short and overload protected.   Check the specs on your supply to make  sure.

Fuses a good if properly sized as they can show where your problem is located in your wiring as opposed to just having the PS protect itself and turn off.

[masterosok]

Forgive me, I know very little in regards to how these things work. I am just using the switch to turn the PSU on.

I just wanted to me be sure that nothing gets fired because I wiring something stupidly.

Thanks for the help.