I am making an on/off switch.

Right now is that it has one input hole and one output hole.

I want to use the switch to control my molex power for my PATA HDD.

So can I just on/off the yellow line, or else is the red line? Either one of them to control the current for my components?

Huh? Why would you wanna do that??

who knows maybe there are a new trick in town

I can understand ler if it's for SATA's but PATA??

then wat is the reason for SATA?

Sata's can be hotplugged wat...so a switch will be nice to turn off the multiple storage disk (one HDD uses up to 25W) when it's not needed.

Plus it's also keeps the busybody's from nosing around ur sensitive "data"

At least that's what I'll do lar..

Cause I got one extra HDD, which I tend to use for backup . There for it doesn't have to be on always..

So I thought of making a switch. Just that I don't know how to control the currrent.

But then ya gotta reboot everytime you wanna use it leh.

Anyhow, please post a pic of the switch you have.

Is it okay to let the 5v current pass through my hd, so I just need to cut off the 12v?

Yeah, I don't mind reboot, at least it is the cheapest way without spending any money buying a proper backup method. Besides, with my new computer, I only need to reboot within 1 min. Not like my old pc, at least 3 mins.


I'll take a picture later, it's very simple actually..

looks like interesting mod !!!

Hmmm...... some kinda the new for this??

Anybody wanna come out with a more effective DIY switch idea?

Haha, it is just a simply switch.

The top yellow stick kind of switch, I took it from my hundred dollar LASY motor. . brand new though..

The bottom black part is from the wall switch. Don't know what to call that.


So I thought of connecting my yellow line into it, and output again.

mind the pictures, I do not have any drillers, so I have to use scotch tape.







Anyway, I found out that it didn't really work.

If you cut off the 12v line, and the 5v is still connecting, the HDD will not spin, yet the windows can still detect it there.



This post has been edited by theodore_kh: Jul 8 2006, 02:03 PM

interesting mod.. but what sniper said make lots of sense to.. will be keeping my eyes on this..

I'm totally noob in electronics but I'm sure there's a way to cut off all power to the drive. Any ideas?

i got this idea ..... but can anyone make it simple n better.....

Aiyo....why susah susah one. Use a DPDT switch laa. Turn ON and OFF the 5V and 12V at the same time. No need to build fancy circuit. Very simple....one switch do it all.....

Here's a pic of the switch



This post has been edited by Shah81: Jul 10 2006, 04:49 PM

You make me look so stupid by showing me that picture

Ya, Actually I have that switch in the picture, but it was slightly different, cause the button can't stay put. It will bounce back if I push up or down.

I don't stay anywhere near electronic shop, so it won't be convenient for me to buy that kind of switch.

Therefore I use the wall switch to mod it.



Btw, what is relay? as shown in 2uk3y picture

This post has been edited by theodore_kh: Jul 11 2006, 09:31 AM

what the switch name.......??
very simple one la...... can u show the connection using that switch ???

this is relay....


This post has been edited by 2uk3y: Jul 11 2006, 12:38 PM

Dude, your switch is a MOMENTARY DPDT I think (... if such a thing exists ). From you explaination, it seems so Can be used as a ghetto power button to your PC