Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: bgmagic on November 16, 2011, 04:23:54 pm
-
I'm building my third cabinet and I'm questioning whether or not this would work. This one is going to have a PC and an Xbox 360 system in it using one dual wired control panel and LCD tv. As usual I want to have the speakers and marquee light turn on with each of the systems. In the past I've built a relay with a 12v line from the PC power supply to activate the other power outlets when the PC turns on.
Since I want to use the Xbox 360 to do the same thing and I can't get 12v out from the Xbox, I'm thinking I'd use a smart strip to have it autodetect when the unit is turned on. What I need to know is can I use a Y power splitter from the main outlet on a smartstrip to hook up the PC power cord and the Xbox power cord to the same outlet. Then when the PC goes on it should activate the other outlets (marquee and speakers) or when I turn on the Xbox I want it to do the same thing. Both would never be on at the same time. Would this work?
Brett
-
If I build a seperate relay for each, how would I wire them both to the same outlets to be automatically powered on?
-
Just parrallel the hot for those outlets on the 2 relays. The relay contacts will be isolated from the power that's activating them (5v from xbox and 5 or 12 volt from pc). This way if either the xbox or pc is powered, it will complete the 120v circuit for those outlets and powere the marquee and what not
-
I am feeling kinda dumb here but can anyone give me a sketch on the wiring?
-
Ok, so since I don't want to open my Xbox I was going to get the 5v from the USB ports on it. Unfortunately it looks like the USB ports stay powered even when the console is off therefor triggering a relay to go off wouldn't work. Going back to my original idea with hooking 2 master devices to a smart strip still seems to be the only way I think it might work. Anyone have any other ways I can trigger outlets from 2 seperate master devices on and off?
-
I would think you'd be ok plugging a two way plug into the control outlet of the smart strip and then plug both your xbox and pc into it. When either one turns on, it should switch on the other outlets
-
I would just go with the Y connector (or another "dumb" strip) plugged into the one master outlet of the smart strip, as mgb suggested. Whatever you use, make sure the ground is carried through (3 prongs).