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IKEA Power Charging Box With Individual Switches
IKEA Power Charging Box With Individual Switches
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http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)
I definitely needed something similar, so I went and bought one of those boxes at IKEA, but it stood in my office for a couple of weeks. Last weekend I finally decided to
have a go at it. One major difference I wanted for my charging station: the ability to turn off each power supply individually instead of having all on while charging a single
device. That meant going to the electronic store and buy 4 switches (there were nicer models, but they didn't have 4 identical ones, so I just got these).
I believe I could have gotten the switches and plugs slightly cheaper if I had looked around.
The rest of the parts I had them at home. Should be fairly cheap ones anyway.
It's not absolutely finished. I still want to get a protective plastic part for the inside, just to prevent any accidental contact with the exposed connectors. Another possibility
is to just use heat-shrink tubing, although it might be difficult to completely cover the connectors next to the wall.
For now I just know that I shall only remove the lid "locks" after disconnecting the power plug.
In the end, still a fairly easy and cheap project.
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
step 2: Installing the switches
After deciding on the right height position and dividing evenly the horizontal space, I marked the locations for the switches.
Using a cutter, I made the holes. Even if not perfectly cut, once inserted, the switch covers the sides and looks quite nice.
Pretty much it's just the 4 plugs connected in parallel, each having it's own switch.
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
step 4: Connecting the Power supplies
Here's how it looks with the power supplies inside.
As you can see, the switch connectors are exposed. I still want to get a protective cover for all those parts, if not, just use heat-shrinking tubing. For now I just have to
remember to disconnect the main power supply before opening the box.
After a first attempt just with the cutter, I ended up using my dremel to make it a bit better looking.
I'll have to take another picture from the opposite side in order to get a better view.
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
step 6: The final result
Works just as planned!
As I've mentioned before, I still want to get a protective cover or use heat-shrinking tubing for the inside electrical parts, and I'm still checking if it will require any
ventilation holes. So far it never got warm at all, but haven't had all the power supplies on for several hours for a proper test.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 54 comments
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
Goodhart says: Nov 12, 2008. 6:06 PM REPLY
Sounds like an isolation problem :-)
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
11010010110 says: Oct 19, 2008. 10:24 AM REPLY
its not resistor. its mechanical on off switch its made like this : sealed baloon (the probe) is connected thru very thin pipe (1
mm external diameter) to pressure sensor. the pressure sensor is a mechanical electrical switch when temperature
changes at the probe (here is most of the trapped air located so its the most sesitive part) it changes the pressure of air (i
think its air) and the switch reacts as any switch its connected in series with the charger withou any additional electronics
phone chargers
for any one who is interested in learning facts about energy consumption and generation without the politics. written in the style and clarity than only a
professor of physics can muster. some real gems too, like how many kwh per day your cat consumes.
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/
sarahbopp says: Oct 5, 2007. 7:45 AM REPLY
http://www.shopgetorganized.com/prodetail~itemNo~22193.asp
I'm all about making stuff myself, but this might even be cheaper - it might be cheaply made too.
Look at http://www.search.com/reference/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets for some images (the very first is the type you refer to), along
with some maps showing which plugs are used where.
http://www.instructables.com/id/IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches/