Using an computer power supply for jamma

demirichris

demirichris

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Is there any problems with using a computer power supply for jamma power? I am trying to make a power supply for a project I am working on...the computer power has the 5 and 12 volt outs I need.

I just don't want to fry any boards.

C
 
Xian Xi

Xian Xi

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I dont see any problem as long as the amps are good.
 
D

danUK

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i use one on my jamma test rig, it works just fine

as long as its hooked up ok you'll be sorted
 
Pas

Pas

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Which has higher amperage..the wires for the drives or the wires for the motherboard? I notice on my computer power supply there are two different +5V amperages (one labled +5V and the other +5Vs).
 
norton9478

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Pas said:
Which has higher amperage..the wires for the drives or the wires for the motherboard? I notice on my computer power supply there are two different +5V amperages (one labled +5V and the other +5Vs).
Click to expand...

All the red ones should be from the same source...

The thicker the wire, the more amps that wire will support. If you are goint to be drawing mega amps..... Use multiple wires......



There are a few other +5s... I think that they are purple and for the USB...
 
norton9478

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demirichris said:
Is there any problems with using a computer power supply for jamma power? I am trying to make a power supply for a project I am working on...the computer power has the 5 and 12 volt outs I need.

I just don't want to fry any boards.

C
Click to expand...

AT supplies will give you less headaches thatn ATX supplies...

Remember that ATX supplies need a certain pin grounded to run.
 
Murray

Murray

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I ran my SG off of an old 300W ATX power supply for a while. It was big and clunky but got the job done well enough.

Also, it's not hard to wire a switch between the "power on" line and ground so you can easily switch it on and off (only really needed if your PS doesn't have its own switch).
 
FalcomAdol

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I've seen comments that certain boards can be burned out from overamping.

Any comments on that? I've been running a 2-slot on a 550watt supply that I scavenged from a PC I had lying around for a while (and probably will replace it with a much smaller PSU when I have the time to go looking for one).

I just shorted the power on line. It's not hard, IIRC it's green, check the ATX pinout.

edit: yep.

atx-psu-pinouts.gif


Note that the mainboard molex is also the only place you can get a -5v from, if you need that.
 
Last edited:
norton9478

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FalcomAdol said:
I've seen comments that certain boards can be burned out from overamping.

Any comments on that?
Click to expand...

The board shouldn't draw more power than is needed.

But f you are really worried, then put slow Blow Fuses on the lines.....
 
A

Amano Jacu

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norton9478 said:
AT supplies will give you less headaches thatn ATX supplies...

Remember that ATX supplies need a certain pin grounded to run.
Click to expand...

Actually, once you have wired a power switch, I find an ATX psu much better to use. I'd rather not deal with a hard switch directly on the AC current as the AT have, I know people that got "electrified" by accident. Plus AT psu's are usually very very old.
In adition an ATX psu will not even run if there isn't a load to it, even if you switch it on bridging that pin.
 
N80G80

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They work great, and even better, most of the time you can get one for free from an old junker computer.
 
norton9478

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Amano Jacu said:
Actually, once you have wired a power switch, I find an ATX psu much better to use. I'd rather not deal with a hard switch directly on the AC current as the AT have, I know people that got "electrified" by accident. Plus AT psu's are usually very very old.
In adition an ATX psu will not even run if there isn't a load to it, even if you switch it on bridging that pin.
Click to expand...

you can still get new AT supplies pretty cheap.... I got one for a project that I did last year......

I do remember the load requirement... That should also be brought up....

I do understand your concerns with the heavy load switch......

For one Project, I just left the original switch in-tact... Then I wraped the entire thing with electic tape.....

It was an ad on for a supergun that I made....
 
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