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

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??

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....

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...

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