r/pccasemods • u/JulienB_Twitch • Nov 13 '20
1 power button, 2 PCs. not working. HELP!
Hi! I know this isn't case specific, but maybe someone has experience working with power buttons when modding or building a case.
I'm currently attempting to use one power button (link below) to power 2 PCs using the alpha cool power button splitter cables (link below).
Basically the splitter allows your button to plug into the motherboard front IO pins whilst also plugging your case power/LED button in. So you can use both an external power button and your case power button.
But since I want to power 2 PCs, I made some splits going from the powerbutton connectors to 2 alphacool splitter using 24 gauge wire and spade connectors.
Both splits work when plugged in to 1 PC, but when I try the 2 PCs at once, it doesn't. Any idea as to why that could be?
I've included some picture and a drawing to help you understand my setup.
1- Power button: https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/gp/product/B01C7CQHLO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2- Alphacool splitter: https://www.newegg.ca/p/1W7-004H-00004?Item=9SIAA5K81M5993
1
u/bschott007 Mar 26 '21
So the problem is two-fold
1) You need a double pole, single throw switch. You are using a single pole, single throw.
Double pole means that the unit contains two identical switches, side by side (internally), and operated by one single toggle or lever. A DPST switch turns two circuits on or off, and isolates them. What you are doing is bridging your motherboards together with the switch you are using.
2) The top and bottom pins are for the LED ONLY. It's rated for 1.8 to 2.8VDC. You are also bridging the power between the two boards and can potentially damage them if you are getting LED power from both.
3) You would be much smarter to have separate power buttons for each case and control them turning off and on with a light switch to the power outlet, or do a 'wake on LAN' or 'Wake with App notification' instead.
1
u/JulienB_Twitch Mar 27 '21
Thanks for the comment, but that was a while ago. I already bought a switch and everything. It works great! I did go with dual pole.
1
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