Help me with this switch to turn on/off lights.

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 18:16

Hi, I have an xbox 360 power button which i want to use to turn on and off lights... this button is just made of plastic and looks like this

That just needs to hit a small button...

where can i get a button like that and how would i wire it up to the lighting (molex).

Thanks
Tim

PhillyDee · 23 Dec 2010 at 18:18

You need small tactile switches. They are usually PCB mount, and will require spacers to line it up correctly. Its difficult, but do-able.

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 18:22

PhillyDee said:
You need small tactile switches. They are usually PCB mount, and will require spacers to line it up correctly. Its difficult, but do-able.

Thanks mate... but what do i need to type into google

to find the one that will turn the lights on and off??

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 18:33

Would this kind of thing do the trick...
It is a SPST Latching Push Button Switch.

It says
Supplied with LED series resistor for 12V operation

why would i need a resistor ... surely it is just completing a circuit?? Would this do the trick if i alligned it in the right place??

Diggsy · 23 Dec 2010 at 19:23

engstrom0304 said:
Would this kind of thing do the trick...
It is a SPST Latching Push Button Switch.

It says
Supplied with LED series resistor for 12V operation

why would i need a resistor ... surely it is just completing a circuit?? Would this do the trick if i alligned it in the right place??

I would imagine (i'm no expert) that the resistor is for the LED which I assume is in that switch.

As for if it will work for your purpose, I would say so long as it's not a momentary switch (only on for the moment it's pressed) then I don't see why not.

PhillyDee · 23 Dec 2010 at 19:58

You would have to push the button in quite far for a push button. A much more complex solution would be to create a latching circuit, but this requires some knowledge of electronics, but it does mean you can use tactile switches.

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:01

Diggsy said:
I would imagine (i'm no expert) that the resistor is for the LED which I assume is in that switch.

As for if it will work for your purpose, I would say so long as it's not a momentary switch (only on for the moment it's pressed) then I don't see why not.

Ah yes... so if i got another switch that is a latching (non momentary) switch without an led... i would use it just as a rocker switch...

Here is one other question...
I want to make it turn off a cathode inverter, and a molex led strip... would i put it inline with the +12v or the +5v... does the leds use +5 or +12??

EDIT: on the website it says 12 -14v dc for the led strip... so I assume i would put the switch inline with the 12v wire of the molex connector then? Then i would plug the led strip and the cathodes into that....

PhillyDee · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:03

Cathodes run on 12v, the LED would depend as to how it is wired. you can work it out, or use a multimeter. And yes, you do it inline.

Diggsy · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:17

Just bear in mind that the OEM Xbox button does not travel very far, so you will need a suitable switch.

The tactile switches would definately be better for the purposes, it's just whether you can wire them to work or not will be the issue.

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:18

PhillyDee said:
Cathodes run on 12v, the LED would depend as to how it is wired. you can work it out, or use a multimeter. And yes, you do it inline.

Well... its got several leds on it as a strip... it says 12-14v on the website... should i trust that??

Diggsy said:
Just bear in mind that the OEM Xbox button does not travel very far, so you will need a suitable switch.

The tactile switches would definately be better for the purposes, it's just whether you can wire them to work or not will be the issue.

Wouldnt it be ok if it was aligned right? Even if when the xbox swtich isnt touched the switch is still half down... that wouldnt matter would it... Problem with the tactile switches is that in needs a circuit board...

Diggsy · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:29

You need to know exactly how much the switch needs to travel to turn on/off. It needs to be a small amount really.

EDIT - something like this maybe?... http://www.rapidonline.com/Electron...witches/SPST-Panel-mounting-push-switch/71434

They also have a huge selection of other switches, and I am certain one of them would be perfect.

engstrom0304 · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:36

PhillyDee said:
You would have to push the button in quite far for a push button. A much more complex solution would be to create a latching circuit, but this requires some knowledge of electronics, but it does mean you can use tactile switches.

If you made that for me id pay ya

PhillyDee · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:52

If only I had the time I would! I like projects like that.

Tealc · 23 Dec 2010 at 23:18

When wiring up you run your 12v yellow wire off your molex to one post of your switch and then add another wire from the other post back to your lighting. The ground wire can run direct to your lighting circuit. If you wish to use a lit switch to illuminate the switch cover you'll need to run a ground up to the switch as well so the led will be able to light. Led switches have 3 posts normally. A ground, a +ve and an A (think it's for accessory). The one pictured above doesn't, that just seems to be a switch with led legs sticking out of the bottom, rather ugly.

The resistor in led switches is just there for the LED and does not affect the rest of the circuit.

Diggsy · 24 Dec 2010 at 11:46

Was looking at your original switch you posted again, and it might work. According to the spec sheet I think it needs to travel 2.8mm to switch it on, but I am not sure how far it travels to switch off again.

I see from Rapid Online you can 'Contact an expert' which might be worth a shot...

http://www.rapidonline.com/1/1/2321-miniature-spst-led-latching-push-switch.html