PC Power Button Cable Max. Length

[Vashan]

Hey LTT Forum,

 

I want to put my PC case on a shelf above my monitors and my idea was make a custom power button in my desk.

Is there anyone who knows what the max. length of the cable running to the power button is?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Kind Regards,

Vashan

[gnomik]

Max limit for it would be in kilometers. Since the cable doesn't carry any current.

[Vashan]

Alright then, thank you so much for the quick respons. 

[Vashan]

And let's say i wanted to use one with a build in power LED, like the one linked below.

The LED power would carry a current.

 

https://www.highflow.nl/modding/power-switches/19mm-bulgin-black-red-led.html

 

[gnomik]

3 minutes ago, Vashan said:

And let's say i wanted to use one with a build in power LED, like the one linked below.

The LED power would carry a current.

 

https://www.highflow.nl/modding/power-switches/19mm-bulgin-black-red-led.html

 

The current will be like 20mA it should work fine.

[Vashan]

Okay, I won't worry about it then. Thanks again!

 

[Yoinkerman]

Something like that is probably 4 wire.  2 for the switch and 2 for the LED.

 

A power switch shorts the two switch lines, and the led is powered off the LED pins on the mobo.

 

That being said, you're probably good up to 20 or more feet. 

[Mr.GfC]

I'm doing the same thing as you are.

Only, I'm running the cables in a 1" PVC tube that will connect to two outlet boxs, installed just for them.

The desk will be glass, mounted on the wall, with all of the outlets set in place so there are no cables hanging anywhere. (we have problems with mice) 

I just nee to find extensions for some of the new cables.

[Vashan]

That's pretty sweet!

 

I've had my button installed in my desk for a few years now, still working excellent.

Was very glad that i got some answer here from this awesome community.

[Chris Law]

Wait. If the power switch just shorts the two lines, does that mean if for some reason I liked the aesthetic, I could just have two bare wires showing at the end of a long cable (I have my PC in the other room so have been researching power button extensions/wireless power buttons) 

so when I want to start the computer I just "Hotwire" it (Aka connect the two wires) ?!?!? Would it be a connect and then disconnect? Is this something I can safely experiment with, within reason? Or might I bork my motherboard... It's supposed to be "Tuf" but I have my doubts about that being anything more than marketing guff.

Also this is my first post, I'm also 40 today and I'm glad to be here! Longtime viewer, and as I'm old () I love a forum or two, I do. So hello!

[Bitter]

1 hour ago, Chris Law said:

Wait. If the power switch just shorts the two lines, does that mean if for some reason I liked the aesthetic, I could just have two bare wires showing at the end of a long cable (I have my PC in the other room so have been researching power button extensions/wireless power buttons) 

so when I want to start the computer I just "Hotwire" it (Aka connect the two wires) ?!?!? Would it be a connect and then disconnect? Is this something I can safely experiment with, within reason? Or might I bork my motherboard... It's supposed to be "Tuf" but I have my doubts about that being anything more than marketing guff.

Also this is my first post, I'm also 40 today and I'm glad to be here! Longtime viewer, and as I'm old () I love a forum or two, I do. So hello!

Yes, it's pretty common to short the pins with something conductive to start the PC up when it's a bare board outside a case. You could even get an actual car ignition switch and use the starter contacts to turn the PC on when you turn the key to the start position. Something like a 1960's Mopar, Ford, or Chevy switch with lock cylinder would be easy to come by pretty cheaply and uses a through panel threaded mount so it would be easy to install into a case or the desk or anywhere really.