simple question?

H

hoangtastic

n00b
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
18
hey guys, i have a smoothwall linux box up and running and thought about this, if i were to connect the power cable from my WAP and modem (both 12v) to the computer's 12v rail (rated at 8amps) would it cause any problems?, my WAP draws 1000mA and my cable modem draws 750mA, whats the safest way to do this?
 
If the PSU 12 volt rail is only 8 amps, it may not be enough to power the modem, WAP, and PC. (BTW, the PSU in your sig is 20 amps). If you're confident it can handle the 1.75 amps your modem and WAP require (I suspect that is the AC adapter max rating and they actually use less), then continue.

You'll need a couple of power adapter plugs for your WAP and modem. Assuming you don't want to cut up your AC adapter cords, you can buy the plugs from Radioshack or cut up a couple of old non-working AC adapters with the correct plugs...or you can cut up your modem and WAP adapter cords. You'll also need a soldering iron, solder, and some heat shrinkable tubing.

Make sure you know which wire is "+" and which is "-". The center contact on the plugs is usually "+" but again, be sure. Find an unused 4 pin Molex connector in the PC and cut off the yellow and one black wire.

Feed the cords for your WAP and modem into the PC and connect the yellow wire to "+" on both cords and solder. Insulate with heat shrink tubing. Repeat for the black and "-" wires.

If "+" was the center contact on both plugs, you are good to go. Otherwise you need to label them which is WAP and modem.
 
yea, my smoothie box is completely different from my gaming rig in my sig :D so if i connect it do i have a chance of frying my WAP or cable modem?
 
You won't fry anything wiring them as I posted (assuming 12V is yellow and Gnd is black). The only question would be if an 8 amp 12 volt rail is sufficient to power everything.
 
i think it would be, here are my smoothwall box specs:
ECS P6BAT-A+ socket 370
Intel celeron 466 mhz
256MB ram
9GB Fujitsu IDE drive
ATi Rage 128mb AGP *only used during initial setup
LG CD-ROM *disconnected when not in use
Floppy drive *disconnected when not in use
Airlink PCI ASOHORL nic X2
SMC 1211TX-50 nic
 
You'll most DEFINITELY be fine with that lol...

I bet the WAP and modem don't draw the full 1000 and 750ma each... Probably just using a much higher powered wallplug for safety.
 
It should work. Chances are the modem and WAP are going to be less than their AC adapter max ratings.
 
keep in mind that not only is his CPU not particularly power-hungry, it also runs of the 3.3 and 5V rails instead of the 12V rails. Pentium-4's were the first to use the 12V rail instead.
 
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