ok to only load the 12v rail?

dualblade

Supreme [H]ardness
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Nov 19, 2000
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i'd like to use an old power supply as an ac/dc convertor for a 12v dc device. it's much cheaper than buying a dedicated 12vdc supply with >10amps, but i was wondering if all rails need to be loaded to a certain degree in order for the power supply to function correctly.
 
Still no.

You need ot put a dummy load on the 5V rail or your 12V rail voltage is going to drop.

Go to a junkyard or online auto-parts store and buy a ballast resistor from a car with an old points ignition system.
 
If you needed to put a load on the 3.3V, I would have told you to. ;)

Just put the load on the 5V rail and you'll be fine. 3.3V and 5V are on the same plane.
 
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