Toggle switch on an ATX power supply

goodcall · 22-March-07, 11:33 PM

I'm adding a toggle switch to my PC (the sort the military use for missiles etc with the flip up safety cover)

The switch is to be an override on the computer power on.

I could simply connect this in series with the computer power on button and this is the backup plan.

I want to, if possible, connect an LED up to this switch, i.e. an LED which would be on when the switch is on and off when of.

However to do this simply without complicated circuitry there would have to be connected to a voltage not just the power button.

SO my plan was to cut the ATW power supply to the motherboards 12V wire and put the switch in there.

I could then easily power the LED.

BUT would that turn the motherboard off properly OR would it simply bugger it up.

Any ideas from people who know more about hacking ATX power connectors welcome

P.S. motherboard is an ASUS A8V-Deluxe if that matters to anyone.

Hak Foo · 22-March-07, 11:54 PM

ATX power switches have to be momentary, unless you want to bypass the switch connector on the mobo.

Why not use a spare drive power plug, or even a fan power connector on the mainboard.

TiZakit · 23-March-07, 01:18 AM

Seems you have to remember that in an ATX system, the PSU is powered on by the motherboard, not the PSU itself.

Hak Foo is correct on everything he says. The switch does need to be momentary. You could just wire it up to the motherboard, hell, use the same cable that came with your case.

As for the LED, you have two routes. Wiring it to the motherboard PWR ON LED section of the case connections. Or, as Hak Foo suggested, using the power supply directly.

As an added note, I wouldn't go messing around with the ATX plug too much. Motherboards are touchy with power and stability.

22-March-07, 11:33 PM		#1 (permalink)
goodcall Apex Techie Wannabe	Toggle switch on an ATX power supply I'm adding a toggle switch to my PC (the sort the military use for missiles etc with the flip up safety cover) The switch is to be an override on the computer power on. I could simply connect this in series with the computer power on button and this is the backup plan. I want to, if possible, connect an LED up to this switch, i.e. an LED which would be on when the switch is on and off when of. However to do this simply without complicated circuitry there would have to be connected to a voltage not just the power button. SO my plan was to cut the ATW power supply to the motherboards 12V wire and put the switch in there. I could then easily power the LED. BUT would that turn the motherboard off properly OR would it simply bugger it up. Any ideas from people who know more about hacking ATX power connectors welcome P.S. motherboard is an ASUS A8V-Deluxe if that matters to anyone.

22-March-07, 11:54 PM		#2 (permalink)
Hak Foo Apex Elite Tech	Re: Toggle switch on an ATX power supply ATX power switches have to be momentary, unless you want to bypass the switch connector on the mobo. Why not use a spare drive power plug, or even a fan power connector on the mainboard.

23-March-07, 01:18 AM		#3 (permalink)
TiZakit Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Toggle switch on an ATX power supply Seems you have to remember that in an ATX system, the PSU is powered on by the motherboard, not the PSU itself. Hak Foo is correct on everything he says. The switch does need to be momentary. You could just wire it up to the motherboard, hell, use the same cable that came with your case. As for the LED, you have two routes. Wiring it to the motherboard PWR ON LED section of the case connections. Or, as Hak Foo suggested, using the power supply directly. As an added note, I wouldn't go messing around with the ATX plug too much. Motherboards are touchy with power and stability.

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