Switch in water cooling unit

[ronnie]

Hi all a little help needed. I am building a whole system from scratch and need help for a quick fix. I want to put a switch in the front off the case to turn the water pump on. Can I just cut the cable a connect it up or do I need to do something else. Please note I will be doing a pump relay switch when I get paid but this is just for a test.

Thx for any help Ronnie.

[Zephik]

What is the reason as to why you want to do this? To me, It sounds like a bad idea and I'll tell you why.

Most kits will turn on with your computer. Why? Well can you imagine accidentally forgetting to turn it on? Or accidentally bumping the switch off? Or any circumstance where the pump isn't on because of a "on and off" feature?

As quoted from Mr. Mackey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Mackey) of South Park Elementary School...

"M'kay, that would be bad".

Don't make me sing you a Chef song. ;)

[ronnie]

Yep, I know for that reason it is but it is a pump that does not come on automatically so would need to switch on and off anyway, plus the way my system will be set for the moment its only for a testing period, so it will be on a bench not by my desk. So would I be able to put a temporary switch just for this test period. Thx Again.

[Bucko]

I don't get why the pump wouldn't come on automatically when you switch on the PC. Are you not hooking it up to the computer's power supply?

If it's only to test, why would you put a switch in the PC at all if you are only using it on your bench?

[ronnie]

The pump plugs straight into the wall ? and Im placing the pump inside but I'll wait for the pump relay. Just wanted to know if I could put a switch in.

[Bucko]

Well you could put a switch in, but be sure you know what you are doing if you are playing around with a mains powered pump. Mains power can kill you if you do it wrong.

It still seems unusual that a cooling pump would be mains powered and not 12V and hooked up to the computer PSU.

[ronnie]

The pump is an Ehiem pump which is for ponds and water features, these where used before the ones what came with a pump relay built in. Do you know how and what sort of switch I should use if at all (as I didnt want to fry myself lol). Thx for any help.

[Bucko]

Sorry, but without knowing where you are because of the voltages you use (it's 240V here in Australia, which is what I know enough about to keep me out of trouble), the type of plug it uses (2 or 3 wire) I'd hesitate to give any advice.
If you are in the US with 110V, I know basically nothing of your set up.

[ronnie]

Like you im on 240v in uk with 2/3 wires.

[mellojoe]

There are a lot of 120v / 240v pumps out there. 12v DC pumps are a new thing.

Look for something like a wall-mount light switch. And be careful.