Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
(OP)
I've got an old "AT" power supply that I salvaged in the hope of using it as a clean 12V source. This particular unit is from the days when a switch tied into the power supply was used to turn the computer on, unlike the newer ones where the motherboard turns the power supply on.
I did some research on the internet to find out more about these devices and learned that they shouldn't be run unless connected to a motherboard. Does anyone know if it is possible to simulate the load of the motherboard with a simple resistor, or is the motherboard providing some kind of feedback that means the powersupply can't be used for my purposes? (I'm just after a source of 12V for hobby purposes, charging batteries without using the car battery/cig lighter)
I did some research on the internet to find out more about these devices and learned that they shouldn't be run unless connected to a motherboard. Does anyone know if it is possible to simulate the load of the motherboard with a simple resistor, or is the motherboard providing some kind of feedback that means the powersupply can't be used for my purposes? (I'm just after a source of 12V for hobby purposes, charging batteries without using the car battery/cig lighter)





RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
In short answer - Yes, resistors on the output(s) to provide for a minimun current load are needed. I do not know how much, or on which outputs.
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
DspDad
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
when used to power audio it was too bad cause 6oHz peaks are very strong, high freq peaks are sometimes troublesome.
just draw some resistive power from 5 VDC and other different DC supplies. and ready to go...
if you go up to the limit current, the supply just will turn off the 12 VDC (it will be in short but no trouble) just turn off and on again.
regards
killa
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply
If the PSU has 3.3V output, that marks it as a (relatively) new model. The 'older' PC's didn't have any rail voltage below 5V; the lower voltages such as 3.3V and 3.0V came about as processors got faster.
RE: Adapting an old Computer Power Supply