pushbutton power circuit

tsjdesign · 28th November 2003, 04:42 AM

I would like to add a push button on/off switch to my home theater amp, such as the stainless ones found here: http://www.bulgin.co.uk/ but can only find low amperage pushbuttons (5amps is the best I found). I'm pretty sure most amps, and certainly a theater amp, is drawing more than this, so I don't want to have the pushbutton switch be in the main current path. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know how to design a circuit which uses the the push button as a trigger, rather than be in the current path. Does anybody have a diagram or link which details how I might implement this? Or even a link to a commercial product which serves this function?

Thanks!! Todd

Wright · 4th December 2003, 09:16 PM

Hey Todd,

I'm in the same boat as you and in fact I want to use bulgin switches as well. It looks like we will have to use a "relay" added on to the switch. I'm still digging for more information but have a look at my "show me your cool switches" thread for a bit of discussion on it.

George

tsjdesign · 4th December 2003, 09:25 PM

Hi George -

Thanks for the follow up! I ordered one of the Bulgin switches and a 120v relay like this - http://www.findernet.com/en/countries/usa/pdf/S20US.pdf -
which I hope will work... I'll post my results! Wish me luck

!

Todd

rcrump · 5th December 2003, 08:44 AM

Had a similar problem as the Parasound HCA-3500 amp I was modifying had two 6a switches, but had some surgisters in front of them.....Surgisters sounded bright to me so I bought some 15a (same as the line fuse) panel mount thermal breakers and got rid of the line fuse, surgisters and cheap switches. Ones I chose were Schurter available from Allied and they were an easy panel mount.....

Wright · 6th December 2003, 01:14 AM

Hey Todd,

Good luck on your hookup. Please let me know if that relay works ok.

George

tsjdesign · 6th December 2003, 04:30 AM

Just got my switch, but not the relay

... the Bulgin vandal resistant switches are very nice and heavy with a great tactile feel - Much better than what I expected! Now if I can get the little puppy to play nice with the relay!

tsjdesign · 11th December 2003, 06:49 AM

Just hooked up the relay an switch - works perfect! The only issues that one might have is the relay is made for electrical panel mounting, so no simple way (besides glue) to attach it to the chassis. It also makes a very decernable *click* when engaged by the button trigger...

I'll figure out how to mitigate these issues - main thing is it works and is relatively inexpensive ($13 for relay, $12 for switch)...

Now on to the next project!

Wright · 11th December 2003, 10:12 AM

Great news Todd!

I would love to see some pictures of you amp! Also, can you tell me specifically which model numbers you used for the switch and the relay? One thing I'm curious about, with the way you have it setup, is the switch itself subject to the main line voltage? I'm just wondering if using the relay will allow me to use a switch with a much lower VAC rating (i.e. 50mA) then would normally be required. Thanks,

George

rwagter · 11th December 2003, 11:55 AM

Pulse Power Switch

This is they relay (finder relay) thread for pulse switches (also bulgin). It works perfect.

Ralph

ChemMan · 11th December 2003, 05:54 PM

Check out the Electro-Tech-Online Forums .

At this thread here, is a diagram to construct a low voltage and low current power supply to power small ICs and possibly relay coils. It's connected directly to mains voltage and consists of a half dozen components.

28th November 2003, 04:42 AM	#1
tsjdesign diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	pushbutton power circuit I would like to add a push button on/off switch to my home theater amp, such as the stainless ones found here: http://www.bulgin.co.uk/ but can only find low amperage pushbuttons (5amps is the best I found). I'm pretty sure most amps, and certainly a theater amp, is drawing more than this, so I don't want to have the pushbutton switch be in the main current path. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know how to design a circuit which uses the the push button as a trigger, rather than be in the current path. Does anybody have a diagram or link which details how I might implement this? Or even a link to a commercial product which serves this function? Thanks!! Todd

5th December 2003, 08:44 AM	#4
rcrump diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston, Texas	Had a similar problem as the Parasound HCA-3500 amp I was modifying had two 6a switches, but had some surgisters in front of them.....Surgisters sounded bright to me so I bought some 15a (same as the line fuse) panel mount thermal breakers and got rid of the line fuse, surgisters and cheap switches. Ones I chose were Schurter available from Allied and they were an easy panel mount..... __________________ Bob Crump

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4th December 2003, 09:16 PM	#2
Wright diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	Hey Todd, I'm in the same boat as you and in fact I want to use bulgin switches as well. It looks like we will have to use a "relay" added on to the switch. I'm still digging for more information but have a look at my "show me your cool switches" thread for a bit of discussion on it. George

4th December 2003, 09:25 PM	#3
tsjdesign diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	Hi George - Thanks for the follow up! I ordered one of the Bulgin switches and a 120v relay like this - http://www.findernet.com/en/countries/usa/pdf/S20US.pdf - which I hope will work... I'll post my results! Wish me luck ! Todd

6th December 2003, 01:14 AM	#5
Wright diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	Hey Todd, Good luck on your hookup. Please let me know if that relay works ok. George

6th December 2003, 04:30 AM	#6
tsjdesign diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	Just got my switch, but not the relay ... the Bulgin vandal resistant switches are very nice and heavy with a great tactile feel - Much better than what I expected! Now if I can get the little puppy to play nice with the relay!

11th December 2003, 06:49 AM	#7
tsjdesign diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	Just hooked up the relay an switch - works perfect! The only issues that one might have is the relay is made for electrical panel mounting, so no simple way (besides glue) to attach it to the chassis. It also makes a very decernable click when engaged by the button trigger... I'll figure out how to mitigate these issues - main thing is it works and is relatively inexpensive ($13 for relay, $12 for switch)... Now on to the next project!

11th December 2003, 10:12 AM	#8
Wright diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	Great news Todd! I would love to see some pictures of you amp! Also, can you tell me specifically which model numbers you used for the switch and the relay? One thing I'm curious about, with the way you have it setup, is the switch itself subject to the main line voltage? I'm just wondering if using the relay will allow me to use a switch with a much lower VAC rating (i.e. 50mA) then would normally be required. Thanks, George

11th December 2003, 11:55 AM	#9
rwagter diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands	Pulse Power Switch This is they relay (finder relay) thread for pulse switches (also bulgin). It works perfect. Ralph

11th December 2003, 05:54 PM	#10
ChemMan diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Jersey	Check out the Electro-Tech-Online Forums . At this thread here, is a diagram to construct a low voltage and low current power supply to power small ICs and possibly relay coils. It's connected directly to mains voltage and consists of a half dozen components.

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