Laptop PWR switch - 6 Pins - Help!

DeSloth · 03-10-2006, 10:18 PM

Hi guys & gals,

I'm having a spot of difficulty wiring into my laptops power switch. I opened her up expecting a simple 2 wire momentary switch. Instead it has some random 6 pin jagger.

Picture here:

http://www.geocities.com/quentin_large/switch.jpg

Anybody know what this type of switch is called? I'm just going to connect onto all 6 pins and relocate the switch someplace I can use it.

Thanks for any help in advance folks, much appreciated.

(I have searched and couldn't locate anything useful. I'm not at all intested in playing with docking stations either - too much bulk and hassle)

rsd212 · 03-10-2006, 11:51 PM

Just test the continuity, find two pins that change from clear open to clear short when you push the button. You have a multimeter, I assume?

DeSloth · 03-11-2006, 12:01 AM

Yeap but all 6 pins are active, and not in any particular logical combination.

In the different states various pin combinations acutally have resistence as well (values like 13k etc.) so it isn't a simple beast, unfortunately.

I can only assume this isn't a 2 wire job - there are closed circuits in both states...

Wiredwrx · 03-11-2006, 01:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DeSloth

Yeap but all 6 pins are active, and not in any particular logical combination.

In the different states various pin combinations acutally have resistence as well (values like 13k etc.) so it isn't a simple beast, unfortunately.

I can only assume this isn't a 2 wire job - there are closed circuits in both states...

FOrget resistance and the state while the button is not pushed. Find two pins that are not connected when not pushed, and connected while pushed. That is all you need. Most likely, 2 sets of 3 pins are connected to each other, the 3 on the right and the 3 on the left. When pushed, the right and the left connect. Viola, there are your contact. If you serarch a little on this board, you wil notice most laptops have this type of switch, and I have never heard of anyone having any issues finding the correct 2 contacts.

Michael

DeSloth · 03-11-2006, 08:17 AM

If we must go that route, here is what I have:

http://www.geocities.com/quentin_lar..._schematic.jpg

Assuming I can count, and the trigger COULD be either an open circuit, or a closed circuit between 2 wires (it could easily be more) - I have 4 logical pairs to choose from.

I'm also not too keen on buggering the whole thing up.

Anybody come across something like this previously?

Alternatively if I just know the name of the switch I can fix this up fairly easily (It is impossible to seach for electronic components you don't know the name of).

Thanks!