Converting a PC PSU to act as 5V/12V supply for a bunch of devices

michalrz

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Hey everyone,

I have a question.

I have a bunch of crap around that I use: two HDD docking stations, a powerbank, a CCTV cam, a few microcontrollers.
They all consume either 5V or 12V. I'm a bit weary of having a web of wires and a bunch of wall warts everywhere.

I have an older but functional and recently cleaned Chieftec 450W - I know I could make a bench supply out of it, but my question is:
Is it okay to mix numerous devices, some with their own internal buck regulators, some WiFi-enabled, on rails from 1 PSU? Assuming the Amperage is there.
 
yeah if it all totals within its limits it should be fine.

-awesome mod goes here-

That looks nice. I'll definitely be going with a bunch of switches for each splice.
I guess I need thick wire to reach the places I need powered? Would ~2.5mm2 (AWG 13) do the trick for max. 5m runs?
 
That looks nice. I'll definitely be going with a bunch of switches for each splice.
I guess I need thick wire to reach the places I need powered? Would ~2.5mm2 (AWG 13) do the trick for max. 5m runs?
that was the prettiest in the youtube search results :)
13 is an odd size but yeah it would do.
 
Hey everyone,

I have a question.

I have a bunch of crap around that I use: two HDD docking stations, a powerbank, a CCTV cam, a few microcontrollers.
They all consume either 5V or 12V. I'm a bit weary of having a web of wires and a bunch of wall warts everywhere.

I have an older but functional and recently cleaned Chieftec 450W - I know I could make a bench supply out of it, but my question is:
Is it okay to mix numerous devices, some with their own internal buck regulators, some WiFi-enabled, on rails from 1 PSU? Assuming the Amperage is there.
PC PSUs already are "5V/12V supply for a bunch of devices".
That is their basic function.
 
that was the prettiest in the youtube search results :)
13 is an odd size but yeah it would do.

Well the "AWG" stands for "American Wire Gauge" in the rest of the world they use the mm2 system

I was thinking of doing the same thing do I need to use fuses for each run? Or is the power supplies internal short circuit protection enough?

I remember "back in the day" my favorite expression LoL I had a floppy drive power cable those were 22AWG I shorted it to the case and no protection circuit activated but the wire got hot and the insulation melted and started glowing until I dropped it as it got too hot to hold!
I don't want anymore incandescent wires so I assume I will need a fuse of some sort? The floppy drive was on the +5VDC wires I did this with the +12VDC and the power supply shut off why not on the 5VDC rail I don't know?

PC PSUs already are "5V/12V supply for a bunch of devices".
That is their basic function.
 
I was thinking of doing the same thing do I need to use fuses for each run? Or is the power supplies internal short circuit protection enough?
no idea. most ive done with psus is wire them up to power 3, 5, 7 and 12v random things, like a beard trimmer.
 
yup that ^^

1627858347326.png
 
How much current can you get though?
I have an HDMI switcher that uses 7.5VDC (unregulated) at 500MA never got the power supply though just used a 12VDC as it had a LM7805 before the actual switch circuits on a separate power board.
Way way more than 500mA.
 
How much current can you get though?
I have an HDMI switcher that uses 7.5VDC (unregulated) at 500MA never got the power supply though just used a 12VDC as it had a LM7805 before the actual switch circuits on a separate power board.
something like 13a sustained on a molex, peak is ~18, iirc.
 
I've never modded a PSU like this, but I've shorted the green to black wire on several of them and used them for non-traditional purposes.

The most unusual was probably when I used one to repair my car.

My previous Volvo had those electric parking brakes on the back. Took the wheel off to replace the brakes, and realized I had no idea how to back those things off.

Turns out it was just two wires at 12v, so I used a PSU. Connect the wires one way, it tightens. Reverse polarity, they back off.

There was probably something you could do with the factory tool plugged in to the car computer to do it the official way, but I didn't have one of those...
 
that was the prettiest in the youtube search results :)
13 is an odd size but yeah it would do.

Ever seen 17AWG? I have most vacuums (cheap crap made today) use 17AWG/2C SVT cords I know this because I used some as they are long cords and easy to find on the street as the crap made does not last now! I take them if a scrapper does not get it first!
I mean how much copper is in a 17AWG cord or even the new NISPT 18AWG/2C cords on modern small electronics!

I've never modded a PSU like this, but I've shorted the green to black wire on several of them and used them for non-traditional purposes.

The most unusual was probably when I used one to repair my car.

My previous Volvo had those electric parking brakes on the back. Took the wheel off to replace the brakes, and realized I had no idea how to back those things off.

Turns out it was just two wires at 12v, so I used a PSU. Connect the wires one way, it tightens. Reverse polarity, they back off.

There was probably something you could do with the factory tool plugged in to the car computer to do it the official way, but I didn't have one of those...

What model Volvo?
My friend has a 2005 Volvo S40 it needed a new engine and even with the VIN (no not VIN Number as that is redundant! LoL!) you could not find out which variation it had you had to take it apart then wait while the block was delivered which was the wrong one! so off it went to a machine shop to have the hole made for some sensor!

Is it possible to get 24VDC from a standard ATX supply? I got a free LED CRAP something it had a bad power supply (oops they now "identify" as a driver) it is just a standard +24VDC @ 2.5A/60W I want to test it to see it it works as I did not get the power supply with it, it was flashing like a strobe light when it was in the fixture!
 
Ever seen 17AWG? I have most vacuums (cheap crap made today) use 17AWG/2C SVT cords I know this because I used some as they are long cords and easy to find on the street as the crap made does not last now! I take them if a scrapper does not get it first!
I mean how much copper is in a 17AWG cord or even the new NISPT 18AWG/2C cords on modern small electronics!



What model Volvo?
My friend has a 2005 Volvo S40 it needed a new engine and even with the VIN (no not VIN Number as that is redundant! LoL!) you could not find out which variation it had you had to take it apart then wait while the block was delivered which was the wrong one! so off it went to a machine shop to have the hole made for some sensor!

That was my old Volvo, an S80 T6. I have singe given it r ok my mom and replaced it with an S90 T6. I also picked up a 2000 V70 to use for hauling and as a backup car.

I love Volvo's, but my indie Volvo specialist has some choice words about the S40's. Let's just say that while he loves most Volvo's he has some disagreements with Volvo's design choices on the S40...

Is it possible to get 24VDC from a standard ATX supply? I got a free LED CRAP something it had a bad power supply (oops they now "identify" as a driver) it is just a standard +24VDC @ 2.5A/60W I want to test it to see it it works as I did not get the power supply with it, it was flashing like a strobe light when it was in the fixture!

You might be able to use some sort of circuitry to pull up the 12v line to 24v. I've seen cheap pull-up transformers on eBay, but this is not something I have ever tried.

Someone else may be able to provide some input.
 
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