I'm making a custom front panel with military style spst switches to control 4 fans, a water pump, and 3 lights. This will fit into 3 - 5" 1/4" drive bays. This is what I want the front panel to do, I want to flip the switches which powers on a red LED, then when I turn the key which turns the red LED's to green (or the red LED's go off and a green one comes on); that in turn allows me to press the power button and turn on the computer. There will also be knobs to control the fan speed, but I may not need the knobes because the Matrix Orbital LCD I am getting might be able to adjust the fans; if it doesn't or if I have to use a window based program then I want todo it manually but I do not know how this will affect the LCD. Now that is done I need to know if this is possible and some idea of how I will wire this all together. Can anyone help me out? P.S. I'm sorry for the long thread.
Hmm...The best way to do this would probably be a PIC, but you may be able to get by with a semi-complicated circut. I can work something out for you once I get home .
Cool thanks. I think I will postion 4 switches on each panel with enough room for 2 LEDS and a knob below for the fans only I don't see a need for the lights or water pump to have one. The 4 fans switch will be 2 on top and 2 below, and the rest will go beside so that there are even numbers of switches on each side. Hopefully there will be enough room for the key switch somewhere. This is a small ASCII example: ___ | | - - | | O ----------------- ___ | | - - | | O --- ______________________________________ Something like that
I did something similair, but no LEDs just used an inline wire to give the button access to power on the PC, you need to first flip the switch then turn a key and then press the button and only once those 3 things happen does the PC turn on. I did it for one reason, I felt bad telling my roomates they couldn't use the computer when I wasn't there, so the next time I had roomates I made sure that even if they did ask me they couldn't use it without a key!
You think you could tell me what parts you used tyo make it or give some sort of diagram with some info? I have sevral guides on doing the fan speed thing so combining them probaly not be a problem.
pretend the key switch and military switch are on off switches, which they are, just run one lead from the pwr buttion (the one that goes from the button to the motherboard) cut it and wire it through both the switch and keyswitch. essentially cutting off the wire when those switches are off the pwr button wont work.
Thanks for the replys I think I am getting it. I just run the power wire through all the switches and to the key switch, but what about the gnd wire or do I need to even touch that? Couple of questions: What happens when I flip the switch in the off position or turn the key switch in off postion? I figure nothing except the LED's might go off. I figure that between each switch I can put a LED which will light up as I flip each switch. Now I just have to think about the fan controllers
yea either the power wire or the ground wire will work, I'd use the ground to limit the chances of anything shorting out. and the LED for power on is a seperate wire so it will stay on as long as the pc is on.
Same wuestion different thread This was in the modding thread, but I really wasn't getting the help I needed so I decided to do a new post but link to the other thread. If this is against the rules by all means remove it. [Two threads merged, gets all answers together ] After doing some research I figure I could run all the switches in a parallel series, but if the first switch is off I believe the rest won't matter; that kinda has my idea but no. Second I found a guide which has switches and a fan controller but the computer has to be on. I need the computer to be in the off position and still be able to turn everything on. I don't know if that makes sense. I'm really trying hard to get this project going so any help will be greatly helpful (I can't spell appreciate).
Well for things to be on while the psu is off you will need +5vsb from the ATX connected for power, but you cant take much from it. Max of 1A usually but only if you d/c from mobo. The mobo probably needs it and takes a bit for WOL and stuff... so keep it connected and take max of 500mA- but a seperate supply would be better. Might be enough to power a few fans - if they spin at 5v.. most wont... (PWM maybe?). Most fans are under 150ma) but cant run a pump from it.. so you need another power supply unless its a 240v/115v pump. After that, all gets quite easy... infact just a case of one switch for each thing to control.. + any voltage regulation stuff you want (for speed reduction)... This site explains most niose reduction methods (Like pwm) very well: http://www.cpemma.co.uk/
Hmm, I dont know about another PSU in my case. Ok what if I wanted to do it the other way. Flip the switches, turn key and when I press the power buttons the appropriate item turns on? Would I need another power supply or Could I use the 12v?
Yep, easy. Wire the switchs in series with the items and put the key switch in series with the power botton.
