Newbie question.

T

The Raven

Guest
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V automotive stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply for use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found plenty of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package it all up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the neon. If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing around to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've sorted out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere for the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
 
"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package it all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere for the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.


If you are only switching one line (not generally recomended for this
Click to expand...
application) I would assume the third spade would have to be the end of the
neon that needs to go to neutral since the other is most likely connected to
the 'load' side of the switch contacts.
You may have the active connected to the 'load' side, but the switch will
still work without the neon working.
Should that be the case then change the leads on the switch over (the mains
ones).
Also perhaps consider using a dpst switch with neon.

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull
 
"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:2ln2olFeouvjU1@uni-berlin.de...
"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found
plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package it
all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the
neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere for
the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US
style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.


If you are only switching one line (not generally recomended for this
application) I would assume the third spade would have to be the end of
the
neon that needs to go to neutral since the other is most likely connected
to
the 'load' side of the switch contacts.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that using a DPST will provide an additional layer of safety
but, beyond that, is there any reason to do so? I don't want to cut corners
but I would like to know what the implications are.

You may have the active connected to the 'load' side, but the switch will
still work without the neon working.
Click to expand...
As would be the case now.

Should that be the case then change the leads on the switch over (the
mains
ones).
Click to expand...
Not sure if I follow you on that.

Also perhaps consider using a dpst switch with neon.
Click to expand...
Yup, will do.

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
 
I think he was saying you need to ensure the "mains side/active in" and
"load side/active out" are not transposed, otherwise the neon would stay on
continuously - see below:



MAINS SIDE
ACTIVE IN /
/ switch
--------------------/ ---------------------------------- LOAD SIDE
(ACTIVE OUT)
|
|
|_____(NEON)________
CONNECT NEON OUTPUT TO NEGATIVE



"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:2ln844Fel23vU1@uni-berlin.de...
"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:2ln2olFeouvjU1@uni-berlin.de...

"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply
for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found
plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit
is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package it
all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the
neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing
around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've
sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere for
the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who
can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US
style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.


If you are only switching one line (not generally recomended for this
application) I would assume the third spade would have to be the end of
the
neon that needs to go to neutral since the other is most likely
connected
to
the 'load' side of the switch contacts.

I appreciate that using a DPST will provide an additional layer of safety
but, beyond that, is there any reason to do so? I don't want to cut
corners
but I would like to know what the implications are.

You may have the active connected to the 'load' side, but the switch
will
still work without the neon working.

As would be the case now.

Should that be the case then change the leads on the switch over (the
mains
ones).

Not sure if I follow you on that.

Also perhaps consider using a dpst switch with neon.

Yup, will do.

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
Click to expand...
 
"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:2lnel5Fef56sU1@uni-berlin.de...
I think he was saying you need to ensure the "mains side/active in" and
"load side/active out" are not transposed, otherwise the neon would stay
on
continuously - see below:



MAINS SIDE
ACTIVE IN /
/ switch
--------------------/ ---------------------------------- LOAD SIDE
(ACTIVE OUT)
|
|
|_____(NEON)________
CONNECT NEON OUTPUT TO NEGATIVE
Click to expand...
And also make sure he IS switching the active and not the neutral, otherwise
the neon would be connected between neutral and neutral!!!!


"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:2ln844Fel23vU1@uni-berlin.de...
"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:2ln2olFeouvjU1@uni-berlin.de...

"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as
a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V
automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice
shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply
for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found
plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit
is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package
it
all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the
neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing
around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've
sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere
for
the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who
can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US
style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.


If you are only switching one line (not generally recomended for this
application) I would assume the third spade would have to be the end
of
the
neon that needs to go to neutral since the other is most likely
connected
to
the 'load' side of the switch contacts.

I appreciate that using a DPST will provide an additional layer of
safety
but, beyond that, is there any reason to do so? I don't want to cut
corners
but I would like to know what the implications are.

You may have the active connected to the 'load' side, but the switch
will
still work without the neon working.

As would be the case now.

Should that be the case then change the leads on the switch over (the
mains
ones).

Not sure if I follow you on that.

Also perhaps consider using a dpst switch with neon.

Yup, will do.

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
Click to expand...
 
As a matter of interest, it is 'neutral', not 'negative' in mains
applications.

'Raven', use a double-pole switch, but use a separate neon or other light.
They do tend to burn out in switches and it's a damn inconvenience to then
have a perfectly good switch with a dud light. Also recommend you use a good
quality crimper for the terminals, don't use the el-cheapo ones as they do a
dirty job, and can leave metal exposed. That said, still heatshrink all the
terminals, *particularly* the unused ones on the switch.

On, and just a single fuse, in the active line.

Ken

"Marty" <NOSPAM_vk2umj@yahoo.com.au_NOSPAM> wrote in message
news:40f7195f_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
"thegoons" <thegoons@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:2lnel5Fef56sU1@uni-berlin.de...
I think he was saying you need to ensure the "mains side/active in" and
"load side/active out" are not transposed, otherwise the neon would stay
on
continuously - see below:



MAINS SIDE
ACTIVE IN /
/ switch
--------------------/ ---------------------------------- LOAD
SIDE
(ACTIVE OUT)
|
|
|_____(NEON)________
CONNECT NEON OUTPUT TO NEGATIVE



And also make sure he IS switching the active and not the neutral,
otherwise
the neon would be connected between neutral and neutral!!!!



"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:2ln844Fel23vU1@uni-berlin.de...
"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:2ln2olFeouvjU1@uni-berlin.de...

"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified
as
a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V
automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice
shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power
supply
for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found
plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the
unit
is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package
it
all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade
power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon
power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for
the
neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing
around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've
sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere
for
the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge.
"Who
can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a
US
style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.


If you are only switching one line (not generally recomended for
this
application) I would assume the third spade would have to be the end
of
the
neon that needs to go to neutral since the other is most likely
connected
to
the 'load' side of the switch contacts.

I appreciate that using a DPST will provide an additional layer of
safety
but, beyond that, is there any reason to do so? I don't want to cut
corners
but I would like to know what the implications are.

You may have the active connected to the 'load' side, but the switch
will
still work without the neon working.

As would be the case now.

Should that be the case then change the leads on the switch over
(the
mains
ones).

Not sure if I follow you on that.

Also perhaps consider using a dpst switch with neon.

Yup, will do.

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
Click to expand...
 
Hey Raven
Your email addy is bouncing

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull

"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:40f64e18$0$16105$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
I hope someone can help me with what would have to be classified as a
relative newbie question.

I'm reasonably OK when it comes to playing around with 12V automotive
stuff
but 240VAC is something I've been very wary of. Once bitten, twice shy
etc.....

Anyhow, I'm working on a basic conversion of a computer power supply for
use
as a 12V source for some specialised battery chargers. I've found plenty
of
good step by step articles on how to do this conversion and the unit is
running mocked up... So far so good, now comes the time to package it all
up
neatly and safely.

My dilema is this, I have replaced the standard computer grade power
switch
with a basic 10A 240V SPST switch. The switch contains a neon power
indicator but I'm unsure as to how this should be hooked up for the neon.
If
this were 12V stuff no worries, but I'm hesitant to start probing around
to
figure out what works on 240V.

Switch has three spade connectors labelled 1 through 3 and, I've sorted
out
which do the main switching. The third spade needs to go somewhere for the
neon to operate but I'm not certain where. Any ideas?

To make this more interesting, I'll consider this a challenge. "Who can
correctly answer a basic question the fastest". First prize is a US style
"attaboy".

Thanks in advance. Your time starts now....

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
Click to expand...
 
Hi folks,
Thanks for the email/posts with suggestions. I found a
website that helped clarify 240VAC wiring and deciphering the active and
neutral (plus what I assume is international markings of L and N).

I had wired the PSU socket correctly but mistakenly switched the neutral
side. Caution with testing paid off here, as did getting clarification from
you guys.

Rewired the switch tonight and all is working as designed, neon and all.

All 240V side connectors are fully insulated. I've replaced the spade
connector insulation with full coverage silicon style insulator boots.

Just have to finalise the binding posts and 12V wiring and all is done.

I appreciate the suggestions on changing to a double pole switch and will do
so this weekend.

Thanks for the assistance.

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** President of the ozemail.* and uunet.* NG's
** since August 15th 2000.
 
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