this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2023
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Hi! So, the power button on my case isn't working properly, and I wanted to try to replace it. I accidentally bought some capacitative switches instead of buttons, and I'm wondering if I can do anything with them to make them work.

Thank you!

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[–] tenacious_mucus 1 points 11 months ago

Maybe, but probably not. Standard case switches are just momentary circuit closing. Basically just temporarily shorting out 2 pins on the motherboard, purely mechanical, nothing digital or electronic about it. You can mimic this with anything conductive by directly shorting the 2 power pins on the motherboard (after unplugging the power switch wires).

Depending on the switches you got, there might not be enough continuity across the 2 pins to close the circuit based on how capacitive switches generally work- your finger or something else being the conductive circuit closure. Good thing is, you wont really hurt anything to try it, your PC just wont turn on. But if you wanna be real safe- unplug the power switch wires from the motherboard and hook the 2 wires to a multimeter and see what kind of resistance or continuity you get, the lower the better. Ideally 0 ohms, a full “short”. Realistically you should just buy the right parts, but i tried to answer your question anyways!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Ideally you need a momentary switch.

You could use a toggle switch you’d just have to turn it off after half a second to turn the pc on and then turn it on and off again for longer to turn off the pc with the power button if you don’t do it inside the software.

In your case you just have to touch it for a second assuming it’s only triggered and not toggled on if it’s toggled on, then you need to touch it again to turn it off. They make momentary touch switches. If you want to go that route I’d get one of those or return and get a regular momentary switch.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Sure thing. I think it's just easier to buy a new one. However I found these that have an LED and look quite nice. Can't seem to find something that fits my needs : /. Do you know where I could find some like this? Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What switches do you have exactly?

If by capacitive switches you mean actually capacitive touch sensors mounted to mini PCBs then you usually set their operation by solder bridging some pads. So bridge one pair and you get a momentary switch, bridge a different pair and you get a latching switch.

If so, solder bridge to make them momentary switches - which is what you need for a PC power switch - and enjoy turning on your computer with the power of touch!

Is this what you're talking about?

https://youtu.be/QaoFh1DH51U?feature=shared&t=1568

Otherwise all you need are momentary push switches, or push-to-make switches, wired into a 2-pin female Dupont connector. Nothing special about them, they'e everywhere.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

iHaospace 2 Pcs HTTM Capacitive... https://www.amazon.es/dp/B07M5XJFCL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

That's what I have. It would be awesome if I could just solder or desolder something. Is it possible in this model? I could send more detailed pictures if needed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I have no idea how these work from pictures alone. Do you have a manual or whitepaper with them to explain how they work?

They are designed to drive relays, so it's not going to be a case of just hooking them up directly to your motherboard.

Might be easier for now to just get some momentary switches until you can do further reading on how those capacitive pads work, how to integrate them with relays, and how you can get those relays to operate as motherboard switches.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

In a pinch, a wired doorbell button from hardware store will work. About $7.50 for a cheap one, make sure it's wired version as wireless wouldn't be easy to use