Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures
Page: [1]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/16/2007 10:13:30 PM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
I obtained this power supply for free so I cant complain but I am unsure if it will work to power my DTX ICE.



       Post #: 1

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/16/2007 10:28:05 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 5040
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline
It should work if you wire it correctly. 8 amps is enough for most charging tasks.

_____________________________

Red S.
AMA 951 Leader Member
Disclaimer: What I have written here are my thoughts and in no manner shape or form reflect the views of RCU

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 2

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/16/2007 10:31:14 PM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
OK unsure on the "wire it right" so I am doing a little research because I have never used a charger like this or any other than what came with the RTR.

(in reply to Red Scholefield)
       Post #: 3

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/16/2007 10:31:24 PM   
guver


 

Posts: 9204
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: LaGrange, OH, USA
Status: offline
Yes, it will work if you can find out how to tap the wires and such and make it come on. It won't power the ice to max power, but will do plenty good for a 6 cell pack at 5 amps or so.

_____________________________

you hear that silence?

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 4

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/16/2007 10:44:04 PM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
Ok what will I need for max power for the ICE because I have some lipo's that I intend on charging.??

(in reply to guver)
       Post #: 5

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 12:14:41 AM   
guver


 

Posts: 9204
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: LaGrange, OH, USA
Status: offline
You will not necessrily need max power for lipos, but 120 watts is the max for lipos with the ice. Your ps might do it, but I guess it will be about 50-60 watts. It's very easy to try it. Fire up the chargr at max settings and see if the ps maintains the minimum voltage of 10.5

_____________________________

you hear that silence?

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 6

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 1:42:28 AM   
Rocketman_



Posts: 795
Joined: 10/15/2003
From: , MA, USA
Status: offline
I bought a new ATX PC power supply listed as 500 watts from Comp USA for $19.95 (after rebates) and converted it for use with my ICE charger.
See conversion instructions at
http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/POWERSUPPLY.HTM#TIPS


Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 7

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 2:00:43 AM   
Andrew


 

Posts: 1986
Joined: 2/4/2003
From: Murray, KY,
Status: online
Quad 4

Your power supply is an older AT model that is hard switched rather than soft switched like the ATX. The pigtail coming from the case with four wires is usually attached to a double pole single throw switch. If you have the power supply plugged into the wall outlet, you can get 120v shock from the pigtail. The brown and blue (industry std. colors) wires are the live and neutral feed from the 120v power cord and are always hot when the PSU is plugged in. The black and white leads carry the AC feed from the switch back to the PSU. These should be hot only when the PSU is plugged in and the switch is on. Your supply may have these reversed -- many times the switch is numbered by the spades. You can follow the wiring diagram on your PS label.

Normally, the AT supplies power up when attached to a 120v source -- nothing needs to be jumpered. However, output voltage on the 12v rail will usually be more stable, and on occasion, higher if you preload the 5v rail with about 10 ohms (or both filaments of an 1157 auto lamp). Yellow/black will give you +12. Red/black is +5v.

andrew


Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


< Message edited by Andrew -- 8/17/2007 2:05:58 AM >


_____________________________

the "other" andrew
I'm not older than dirt, but I can remember when it was patent pending

(in reply to Rocketman_)
       Post #: 8

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 4:15:21 AM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
What about this one from new egg


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193017

(in reply to Andrew)
       Post #: 9

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 5:41:15 AM   
Andrew


 

Posts: 1986
Joined: 2/4/2003
From: Murray, KY,
Status: online
I think I would go with this SPARKLE, also from NewEgg.

Power supply ratings represent the total maximum output for all voltages. However, many manufacturers fail to point out that while the 3.3v rail and 5v rail may have a substantial current rating, the combined output will be much less. If you check the ratings label on the Eagle Tech supply, it lists the 3.3v@30A and 5v@35 -- theoretically 274 watts. But when both rails have a load, the maximum combined output is 170 watts. Total combined output on the 3.3v, 5v, 12v1 and 12v2 rails is 370 watts.

It is true that the more highly rated PS's can produce more current at each voltage, but total wattage may not always be the best measure. Secondly, I must confess that I'm skeptical of any manufacturer that claims a 500 watt rating for a $20 PS. I once bought a 450W supply for $14 just to see how it matched up with other supplies. The INTEL Design Guide recommends 18 AWG for the primary power rails -- this particular supply used 22 AWG throughout.

I have used a lot of Sparkle supplies in my work with good results. The supply I've linked is a 350W ATX 12v, ie. a single 12v rail rated at 16A. The Eagle Tech is an ATX 12v2 -- 2 12v rails with different current ratings, both less than the Sparkle. Although $5.00 more for fewer watts, I think Sparkle tends to be a little more realistic in how their supplies are rated.

However, YMMV

andrew


_____________________________

the "other" andrew
I'm not older than dirt, but I can remember when it was patent pending

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 10

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 2:23:17 PM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
Ok thank you. You believe the sparkle will do anything I will ever need?

(in reply to Andrew)
       Post #: 11

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 4:58:12 PM   
Andrew


 

Posts: 1986
Joined: 2/4/2003
From: Murray, KY,
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: quads4_life

You believe the sparkle will do anything I will ever need?


That's a pretty open ended question. You can probably expect to get 10 to 12A continuous at around 12.1 or 12.2 v. I caution folks to remember that these PSU's are being used well outside their design environments and the performance is not always predictable, expecially WRT the sensitivity of the overload circuitry. High current demands that trip some supplies will not bother others -- I think this supply will manage most charging needs, but until the rubber meets the road, you cannot always predict how well it will work.

andrew




_____________________________

the "other" andrew
I'm not older than dirt, but I can remember when it was patent pending

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 12

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/17/2007 8:38:33 PM   
quads4_life


 

Posts: 200
Joined: 7/29/2007
From: texas, TX, USA
Status: offline
OK I am sorry for being such a pain but I have no clue what I am doing or looking for. I am still very new to the hobby grade RC world. If it would be smarter for me to just buy a power supply that is intended for this, than that is what I will do because I dont really want to blow anything up including my new charger.

Thank you everybody

(in reply to Andrew)
       Post #: 13

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/18/2007 12:10:56 AM   
mrasmm


 

Posts: 4422
Joined: 1/9/2007
From: Sometown, Northern Utah, USA
Status: offline
the directions are pretty straight forward, if you follow them and double check the polarity, I don't think there is much frying you are going to be doing.

If you want to pay about 4 to 5x the price for basically the same thing, then by all means. It's alot more convient, but I personally don't think it is worth the price.

On the new PSU's alot of them come with a dual rail 12v power supply. For this application I would probably stay away from those unless you are going to be powering two chargers at the same time. There is just no need for that much power, plus you would have to worry about bridging them, or you'd just leave half of it unused.

_____________________________

I don't always check every thread I respond to, so feel free to PM me

(in reply to quads4_life)
       Post #: 14

RE: Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures - 8/18/2007 7:38:56 AM   
guver


 

Posts: 9204
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: LaGrange, OH, USA
Status: offline
There was a fella selling them here already done up with female banana jacks that the ice will plug right into. It was pretty reasonable and may or may not deliver 120 watts. I can't remember. Check the market.

_____________________________

you hear that silence?

(in reply to mrasmm)
       Post #: 15

Page:   [1]
All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Is this PC power supply OK. Pictures
Page: [1]





Jump to: