the Cathode/GPO question, searched, but didn't find specific

[Dgephri]

I did a forum search, and found some questions about cathode lights and GPOs.

I tried to follow Miles link on one to another forum post, which comes up as "topic does not exist" or something.

So, my question:

When hooking CCFls up to a GPO-
1.) hook the inverter up to a High Power GPO right?
2.) the MO will NOT act as the inverter? I see some menu options for power frequency, what if you selected 60Hz and plugged the tube directly into the MO? Guessing that is a bad idea, so haven't tried it...
3.) I should probably verify the current on my CCFls, has anybody hooked up 2 pairs (4 tubes, 2 inverters)? More/Less?
4.) Will the MO switch fast enough to do an event on HardDrive activity? What about NetworkActivity>20KBs or something? I don't want to fry my MO, I love it!
5.) I am considering changing the power connections for 2 inverters (4 tubes) over to the MO...I will verify current and update you on my progress.

Thanks all.

[Johnny]

So, my question:

When hooking CCFls up to a GPO-
1.) hook the inverter up to a High Power GPO right?

yes

2.) the MO will NOT act as the inverter? I see some menu options for power frequency, what if you selected 60Hz and plugged the tube directly into the MO? Guessing that is a bad idea, so haven't tried it...

no! you must plug it in via the inverter!


3.) I should probably verify the current on my CCFls, has anybody hooked up 2 pairs (4 tubes, 2 inverters)? More/Less?

I Have 12 tubes 6 inverters hooked up to 2 MO MX222 displays


4.) Will the MO switch fast enough to do an event on HardDrive activity? What about NetworkActivity>20KBs or something? I don't want to fry my MO, I love it!

not sure on this one?!



have a look!

[Dgephri]

TY Johnny, I 've seen your rig around (like at Gruntville recently).

Just hadn't heard what load the CCFls would put on some controller like the MO.

I guess I should start soldering some connectors on to use th GPOs intead of my automotive foglight switch (hey, its 12V and uses a flat 4 wire switch).

Again, thanks, I will soon hook up a couple inverters to the GPOs.

[Johnny]

You may even be able to hook up two inverters to one GPO! but im not sure i havent tried this. I think the CCFLs don't use alot of current, and the high power GPOs can supply 1000mA (on the Rev 1.4) I'll try to find the current and voltage rating of a single inverter with 2 CCFL tubes attached, if the MO can supply enough current i might try to hook together two inverters see if they will run off one HP GPO.

Maybe the MO boys could enlighten us? I've got 12 CCFLs in already would 14 be a world record?

[Dgephri]

still curious about using the MO to monitor events on hardware activities.

Has anyone tried an Event trigger such as On Event-->NetUp>20KB with a GPO triggered then?

Would that type of potentially fast switching harm the MO?

What about something like On Event-->CPUUsage>25%, trigger GPO 1 flash, On Event-->CPUUsage>50%, trigger GPO 1 solid, and On Event-->CPUUsage>75%, trigger GPO 2 flash?

I have a relay using HDD activity that can run up to 3amps, but I wouldn't want to run that type of fast switching load on the MO.

Miles, any advice on this?

[Miles]

It's a matter of what the high powered GPO can handle. Like Johnny said, each high powered GPO can supply 1000mA...I personally have not tried this type of functionality however it would all depend on if the transistor can handle it...?

[Dgephri]

that's my point...will the fast switching of the GPO harm the unit? My relay can handle it, and does. I'm just not sure if the Hardware in the MO was designed to do that type of isoelectric switching at those speeds.

For instance, are the transistors in the MO isoelectric? I think I have the term right, meaning it isolates any control side current noise from contaminating the load side, and vice versa?

For instance, the Motherboard Harddrive circuit shouldn't get any electronic feedback from the high amperage load circuit of the CCFls. That is why I use an isoelectric relay (again, I think I have the term right).

Are the GPOs designed to do the same?

[Miles]

Our circuitry can handle the switching alot faster than your relay will be able to. The only problem regarding the relay connection is EMF. If the relay is properly clamped with a diode and a capacitor you should have no problem. Depending upon the internal resistance of the relay, you may also need a current limiting resistor.

[Dgephri]

Cool, that is exactly what I needed to know. A mechanical Relay certainly isn't up to the job, and a lot of reed relays didn't seem appropriate.

I will probably leave my relay on the Motherboard HardDrive LED pins, and just tinker with using the High Power GPOs to switch some CCFls with net traffic and the like. i.e. left side lights are FPS over 60, right side lights are Nettraffic over 60KBs or something.

If Johnny has hooked up 3 inverters to an MO, I should be fine:
One pair of CCFl (round ones on my fans) say when Time>6pm (dark/dusk) then GPO1->On.
Another Pair behind my Motherboard (12" ones) when FPS>60 GPO2->On. And a third below my PSU, when NetDown>60KBs GPO3->On.

I don't think any of the MO software (or MBM5.0 for that matter) looks at HardDrive On/Off states. I could try setting a data rate, but not into coding a plugin or anything.

[Dgephri]

to follow up, I was trying to hook up to my MX221 GPOs for lighting, and thought (due to another thread here) that 3pin fan plugs would work, but they don't!

The GPOs on the MX221 are very close together vertically, and 3pin fan plug simply won't fit between them...what have other people here used on the MXs?

Please post a pic if possible (the installation itself) and parts links if available.

Much appreciated.

[Johnny]

to follow up, I was trying to hook up to my MX221 GPOs for lighting, and thought (due to another thread here) that 3pin fan plugs would work, but they don't!

The GPOs on the MX221 are very close together vertically, and 3pin fan plug simply won't fit between them...what have other people here used on the MXs?

Please post a pic if possible (the installation itself) and parts links if available.

Much appreciated.

Which version MX221 have you go?t (look on the back of the green PCB and it should have the version either version 1 or 1.4). Version 1.4 has four fan headers on the PCB so its impossible that they wouldn't fit?



look to the right hand side you can see the three pin fan connector attached to one of the high powered gpos

[Dgephri]

you are exactly right, I have a Rev 1.0 that used the "motherboard" pin header style.

So, I went into my handy-dandy junkpile of stuff, and found a couple old AT Case faceplates with the Reset and Power wires, ripped them out, and hooked them up.

I am running all 3 dual inverters, one each on GPOs 4, 5, and 6.

I am going to order 3 of my favorite high current (3A) DC relays and I will use them on the lower power GPOs to run 3 more inverters with outside 12V source.

Thanks for the tips.

[Miles]

Let us know how you make out!!!

[Dgephri]

sure thing...at $15/relay, they aren't cheap, but they sure do the job nicely.

This is really a good forum full of technically specific people, good support, and I am amazed at the short learning curve on the MO and in LCDC.

After I scrounged the right plugs, I spliced in my inverters, set the GPO defaults, and hotkeyed each GPO to a different Ctrl-numpad for Cycle.

I was so happy with my results that I decided to tear the whole PC apart to begin my wiring and watercooling refurbishment, so it will be all pretty and done modding sooner!

I can easily cylce through on, strobe, inverted, flash, inverted, off with each hotkey (no mystery there).

[Miles]

When your done you'll have to post some pics!!!