Hi folks. Moved on to the portion of my 486 build where I'm moving the components into the case. I'm wondering if I perhaps don't have a standard AT case? I'm puzzled by how I'm supposed to mount the PSU switch. Please see the attached images. Perhaps this is a non-standard case?
I could be wrong. But I always thought the power switch came with the case. Usually the case had already installed PSU.
In your case you will need to modify the switch holder and case holder so the switch will fit and be fixed.
Requests here!
kixs wrote on 2022-01-22, 22:25:I could be wrong. But I always thought the power switch came with the case. Usually the case had already installed PSU.
In your case you will need to modify the switch holder and case holder so the switch will fit and be fixed.
With all AT systems I have put together, the switch was supplied attached to the PSU, and they have a standard size fitting. I assumed that to be always true.
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Non standard case - but you could manufacture an adapter using some metal (e.g. old blanking plates)
I have a stash of cheap "metal construction toy" Meccano rip offs for just such occasions, meaning I've got a ready supply of handy bits like... meccanospares.com/6b-ZN-N.html
Even if not the right length you can offset/rotate a bit so looking down on it, it's like a Z
Alternatively I'd look at it and think, hey, if I protected all round with wet paper, maybe I could get a heatgun on those pegs and swerve them in line with the holes..
Or I'd go... hmm, there's just enough metal in the edges of the bracket, maybe I'll slot those holes out and use washers on the screws.
Then if the plunger didn't quite meet, I'd have a choice between jamming an extension peg in the hole in the backside of the button, bending the extension brackets, or jamming something tubular on the plunger.
Should I find the timer ticking, be in git'r'done mode, and have NONE of the above options available, I'd consider using standoffs, or long screws through tubing, drilled through the front of the case.
With still no luck on any of that, I'd dig through the junk electrical and lighting box, find one of those 4 inch "lamp crossbar" pieces and cut and drill that to fit
If I only had crazy glue and baking powder I'd snap off the plastic standoffs, and using modelling clay, or pulped wet tissue, or dough or mud out of the yard to make a "dam" or wall around the base of one where I wanted to reposition it to and fill with layers of crazy glue and baking powder a bit at a time and stirred in until I had a mechanically sound "blob" cementing it to the case front.
Okay I'll shut up now 🤣
Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.
debs3759 wrote on 2022-01-22, 22:46:kixs wrote on 2022-01-22, 22:25:I could be wrong. But I always thought the power switch came with the case. Usually the case had already installed PSU.
In your case you will need to modify the switch holder and case holder so the switch will fit and be fixed.
With all AT systems I have put together, the switch was supplied attached to the PSU, and they have a standard size fitting. I assumed that to be always true.
To clarify, this switch is attached to the AT power supply.
The switch mounts to the metal part of the case not the plastic front panel. Hold it in position behind the round cutout and you should be able to actuate it with the front button. If that works then you just need to drill a couple holes on either side of the cutout, and run screws in from the front into the threaded holes in the switch.
Plasma wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:34:The switch mounts to the metal part of the case not the plastic front panel. Hold it in position behind the round cutout and you should be able to actuate it with the front button. If that works then you just need to drill a couple holes on either side of the cutout, and run screws in from the front into the threaded holes in the switch.
If I butt the switch up to the metal there’s not enough room left for the switch to actuate. Might be able to hurry rig something with washers or nuts to create the right distance though. Worth a thought. Thanks!
BitWrangler wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:21:I have a stash of cheap "metal construction toy" Meccano rip offs for just such occasions, meaning I've got a ready supply of ha […]
I have a stash of cheap "metal construction toy" Meccano rip offs for just such occasions, meaning I've got a ready supply of handy bits like... meccanospares.com/6b-ZN-N.html
Even if not the right length you can offset/rotate a bit so looking down on it, it's like a ZAlternatively I'd look at it and think, hey, if I protected all round with wet paper, maybe I could get a heatgun on those pegs and swerve them in line with the holes..
Or I'd go... hmm, there's just enough metal in the edges of the bracket, maybe I'll slot those holes out and use washers on the screws.
Then if the plunger didn't quite meet, I'd have a choice between jamming an extension peg in the hole in the backside of the button, bending the extension brackets, or jamming something tubular on the plunger.
Should I find the timer ticking, be in git'r'done mode, and have NONE of the above options available, I'd consider using standoffs, or long screws through tubing, drilled through the front of the case.
With still no luck on any of that, I'd dig through the junk electrical and lighting box, find one of those 4 inch "lamp crossbar" pieces and cut and drill that to fit
If I only had crazy glue and baking powder I'd snap off the plastic standoffs, and using modelling clay, or pulped wet tissue, or dough or mud out of the yard to make a "dam" or wall around the base of one where I wanted to reposition it to and fill with layers of crazy glue and baking powder a bit at a time and stirred in until I had a mechanically sound "blob" cementing it to the case front.
Okay I'll shut up now 🤣
I love that spirit. I’ll take another look and consider whether any of these would work. Thanks!
RogrWilco wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:41:Plasma wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:34:The switch mounts to the metal part of the case not the plastic front panel. Hold it in position behind the round cutout and you should be able to actuate it with the front button. If that works then you just need to drill a couple holes on either side of the cutout, and run screws in from the front into the threaded holes in the switch.
If I butt the switch up to the metal there’s not enough room left for the switch to actuate. Might be able to hurry rig something with washers or nuts to create the right distance though. Worth a thought. Thanks!
You can also trim the plunger on the switch.
Plasma wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:45:RogrWilco wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:41:Plasma wrote on 2022-01-22, 23:34:The switch mounts to the metal part of the case not the plastic front panel. Hold it in position behind the round cutout and you should be able to actuate it with the front button. If that works then you just need to drill a couple holes on either side of the cutout, and run screws in from the front into the threaded holes in the switch.
If I butt the switch up to the metal there’s not enough room left for the switch to actuate. Might be able to hurry rig something with washers or nuts to create the right distance though. Worth a thought. Thanks!
You can also trim the plunger on the switch.
Oh I never thought about this! This could work. Will take a look.
If I screw this switch directly into the metal chassis, is there any risk of a short and the case becoming electrified leading to shock?
That style switch is fully insulated and designed to be mounted directly to the chassis. The PSU is also grounded to the case, so if there was a short the fuse would blow.
Plasma wrote on 2022-01-26, 16:28:That style switch is fully insulated and designed to be mounted directly to the chassis. The PSU is also grounded to the case, so if there was a short the fuse would blow.
This is EXACTLY what I needed to know. Thank you and thanks for the helpful picture!
