LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With QuoteI may have just answered my own question. Apparently switches with loose connections heat up. I did notice one of the screw-down terminals wasn't completely tight... so maybe that was it?
I installed my system this past weekend and took it for a two hour test drive. During the trip I noticed the smell of burning rubber/plastic, got freaked, but it passed so I chalked it up to the big rig that laid on the breaks too hard next to me...
Anyway, I have a SPST (rated to 15A/125VAC) installed between the hot line from the battery and the power to my m2-atx. I put it in the glove box and today I noticed that some of the plastic nearby has melted.
The wire is 12 AWG. My system probably pulls 80-90w max.
Should this switch be getting hot?
Portecho: Entertainment Technology News, Reviews and How-to's
I may have just answered my own question. Apparently switches with loose connections heat up. I did notice one of the screw-down terminals wasn't completely tight... so maybe that was it?
Portecho: Entertainment Technology News, Reviews and How-to's
A loose wire will cause it to get hot.
A switch that is not rated for the load will also get hot.
Personally, I would replace any switch that even started to melt: my computer and my CAR are both well worth a few bucks for a new switch.
If you are sure the switch is rated high enough, a new one of the same with well tightened screws may be fine.
Or else get one with a higher load rating.
I don't know that stuff well enough to tell what rating is needed, but one thing I do know is that generally speaking, lower voltages use HIGHER amperages.
See if you can find one rated for 12 volt DC and 15 or 20 amps.
Driving light switches and such should cover that range.
Never power the switch to trip the power itself. Never ever ever.
The switch should only power a relay coil, and the relay should handle the constant power line for the M2. Every amp the computer uses is being sent through that dinky little switch. Not safe. Also every time you switch it, you have the potential for a huge spark/discharge between the contact plates which is no good.
Switches should be used for triggers only.
Fusion Brain Version 6 Released!
1.9in x 2.9in -- 47mm x 73mm
30 Digital Outputs -- Directly drive a relay
15 Analogue Inputs -- Read sensors like temperature, light, distance, acceleration, and more
Buy now in the MP3Car.com Store
Thanks. I guess I totally misunderstood what constituted a valet switch.Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster
How about putting the same switch on the IGN line from the cigarette lighter?
Portecho: Entertainment Technology News, Reviews and How-to's
That would be fine. Very low current goes through that line.
dsatx in voompc 2 case <HERE>
it is best to control the IGN line anyways. But if you wanted a hard-reset button, your button would control a relay and the majority current would pass through the relay not your finger. Only a few hundred milliamps would be used to energize the coil compared to double digit amperes.
Fusion Brain Version 6 Released!
1.9in x 2.9in -- 47mm x 73mm
30 Digital Outputs -- Directly drive a relay
15 Analogue Inputs -- Read sensors like temperature, light, distance, acceleration, and more
Buy now in the MP3Car.com Store
The IGN input is a low current control, much like amp turn-ons. The power should be hard wired to the battery (through a fuse).
Words to live by from somebody who knows what he is talking about.
One cannot assume that the DC rating is similar to the AC rating.
It may be much less.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks