Computer Power Supply and Switch Wiring Questions

[simplechamp]

Normal silicon diode is 0.7V forward voltage drop, so 12V to 5V is 7V drop, you'd need 10 diodes in series.

Why not just have the switch connected to the 5V rail in one position and the 12V rail in the other, and detent middle could be off.

[rawfuls]

Originally Posted by simplechamp

Normal silicon diode is 0.7V forward voltage drop, so 12V to 5V is 7V drop, you'd need 10 diodes in series.

Why not just have the switch connected to the 5V rail in one position and the 12V rail in the other, and detent middle could be off.

Being completely illiterate when it comes to components + electrical stuff, how do I wire that up on a normal SPDT switch?

[What's_nitro?]

Originally Posted by rawfuls

Being completely illiterate when it comes to components + electrical stuff, how do I wire that up on a normal SPDT switch?

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by What's_nitro?

That will run the fan at 12v or 5v. The 5v setting may be too low for a 12v fan to even start, and even if it does, airflow will be so little it will probably be all but useless. 7v is about the lowest I'd personally go...