Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Eddie_Brock on August 20, 2010, 01:15:19 pm
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I just upgraded the pc in my arcade cab, and am now experiencing issues with my "smart" powerbar.
I have my pc as the master device, with everything else setup as secondary devices to power up when the pc is turned on. This worked fine with the old pc, but not the new one... The new pc has a smaller PSU than the old, could this be causing the powerbar not to detect it?
In short, replacing the powerbar, or switching PSUs is not really an option, does anyone have any suggestions?
I've read some of these bars have a sensitivity dial on the bottom to adjust, but mine does not seem to, short of opening it up.
Please advise, thanks!
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Smartstrip? It has an adjustment (you use a screwdriver) for the trigger.
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Unfortunately, it's not. Its a Globe, I'm sure just a Walmart house brand. No apparent adjustment...
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Even with the smaller power supply, the pc should draw enough current to turn on a smart strip. Have you unplugged the smart strip from the wall for a minute since switching pc's? Just want to make sure it isn't remembering the amount of current drawn by the last pc. Also have you tried turning the strip on and off?
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Yes, it was unplugged while doing the switchover. I have tried doing a power cycle as well. :badmood:
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are you certain it still actually works? Plug in some higher wattage device to the control plug, and see what happens. If it comes on, I guess you'll have to resign yourself to getting a new strip.
I sidestepped this issue and future proofed myself on my current juke build by buying a USB sensing version.
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I have used my multimeter to determine that all of the primary and always-on plugs are working fine, and the secondary plugs are getting 0v, indicating to me that it's not switching them on.
Because I've chopped off the plug and hardwired the powerbar into my cabinet, it's not an easy switch over. It would be somewhat easier to buy a SATA adaptor and use my old PSU.
Before I go that far, how likely is it that if I open up the powerbar, I'll find an adjustment inside?
I appreciate all the feedback. :applaud:
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Not to hijack the thread but this is the first that I've heard of these. Where can I buy a reasonably good model?
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Any decent retail store, I got mine at walmart, and they had several different options. I think mine was in the $25 range. A lot of people on here use SmartStrip specifically, although I don't know where you can find them.
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Not to hijack the thread but this is the first that I've heard of these. Where can I buy a reasonably good model?
I've used Smartstrips 2 times previously with excellent results. For my latest I decided to give this (http://www.amazon.com/EcoStrip-1503E-Energy-Protector-Strip/dp/B003CFB9KA) a try. It helped it was $15 cheaper than the comparable Smartstrip USB model, and had free shipping too :laugh:
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I have used my multimeter to determine that all of the primary and always-on plugs are working fine, and the secondary plugs are getting 0v, indicating to me that it's not switching them on.
Because I've chopped off the plug and hardwired the powerbar into my cabinet, it's not an easy switch over. It would be somewhat easier to buy a SATA adaptor and use my old PSU.
Before I go that far, how likely is it that if I open up the powerbar, I'll find an adjustment inside?
I appreciate all the feedback. :applaud:
I would first try a higher wattage device in the control outlet to see if the smart strip still works as gryhnd said.
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Update: I got it to work. The reset button seems to be a bit wonky. Once I got that to work it seems fine. Another thing is that I wasn't being patient enough. On the old pc, the secondary devices would come on immediately, now they come on a bit later (which actually helps hide the BIOS screen)
All is well, thanks to everyone for the suggestions. :cheers: