ContraptionMaker
10-17-2008, 02:12 AM
03/22/2006: "ATX power supply to bench unit mod"
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps88.jpg
This project was inspired by this excellent wiki entry (http://wiki.ehow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply) and Matthew Beckler's project found here (http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/D5FC00DAB9B110289B50001143E7E506/?ALLSTEPS)
Before getting into this project I want to quote Matthew's warning....
Please Note! There are several large capacitors in ATX power supplies, that will store a dangerous charge for a long time. Please let your power supply discharge, completely unplugged from the wall outlet, for a few days before opening it up. You can probably be seriously hurt, so please be very careful.
That being said, on with the build...
"Part 1: Gathering parts and cleaning up"
I started with a power supply that I harvested from an old e-Machine. I liked this unit because of its size. My work space is limited so the smaller the better.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps01.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps05.jpg
In addition to the PSU I will use the following parts in this mod.
5 way binding post (6)
LED assembly from Radio Shack (these have the resistor and LED holder as one unit and only cost a couple of bucks)
10 watt 10 ohm power resistor
Fuse holder
SPDT mini switch
And spare molex connector
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps29.jpg
When I opened up the power supply I could not believe how dirty this thing was!
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps10.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps11.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps12.jpg
A soft brush and a can of air were all that were required to get it cleaned up.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps13.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps14.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps15.jpg
After cleaning the inside the next step is bundle like wires together.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps16.jpg
After bundling the wires I removed the circuit board from the case so I could trim the excess wires and guess what I found, yep, more dirt.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps22.jpg
Once I finished the cleaning I then counted the connections I needed and removed the unneeded wires.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps25.jpg
Now it was time to layout and drill the holes in the front of the ps for the LED and the binding post. I would mount the fuse holder where the wires originally passed through the side.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps31.jpg
The next step was to scan the front of the case. This would give the layout of my holes and help me place my labels. Once my design was complete I printed it out on a full sheet label and stuck it to the front. Using an Xato knife I cut the holes for the various components.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps36.jpg
I cut the backing so it would keep the top from sticking. I had to keep this loose so I could put the screws back in before I sealed it down. Also note the on/off switch mounted on the back of the unit indicated by the red arrow.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps391.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps392.jpg
In the next post we will install the binding post, LED and fuse, replace the circuit board and wire it all up.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps88.jpg
This project was inspired by this excellent wiki entry (http://wiki.ehow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply) and Matthew Beckler's project found here (http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/D5FC00DAB9B110289B50001143E7E506/?ALLSTEPS)
Before getting into this project I want to quote Matthew's warning....
Please Note! There are several large capacitors in ATX power supplies, that will store a dangerous charge for a long time. Please let your power supply discharge, completely unplugged from the wall outlet, for a few days before opening it up. You can probably be seriously hurt, so please be very careful.
That being said, on with the build...
"Part 1: Gathering parts and cleaning up"
I started with a power supply that I harvested from an old e-Machine. I liked this unit because of its size. My work space is limited so the smaller the better.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps01.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps05.jpg
In addition to the PSU I will use the following parts in this mod.
5 way binding post (6)
LED assembly from Radio Shack (these have the resistor and LED holder as one unit and only cost a couple of bucks)
10 watt 10 ohm power resistor
Fuse holder
SPDT mini switch
And spare molex connector
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps29.jpg
When I opened up the power supply I could not believe how dirty this thing was!
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps10.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps11.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps12.jpg
A soft brush and a can of air were all that were required to get it cleaned up.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps13.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps14.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps15.jpg
After cleaning the inside the next step is bundle like wires together.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps16.jpg
After bundling the wires I removed the circuit board from the case so I could trim the excess wires and guess what I found, yep, more dirt.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps22.jpg
Once I finished the cleaning I then counted the connections I needed and removed the unneeded wires.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps25.jpg
Now it was time to layout and drill the holes in the front of the ps for the LED and the binding post. I would mount the fuse holder where the wires originally passed through the side.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps31.jpg
The next step was to scan the front of the case. This would give the layout of my holes and help me place my labels. Once my design was complete I printed it out on a full sheet label and stuck it to the front. Using an Xato knife I cut the holes for the various components.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps36.jpg
I cut the backing so it would keep the top from sticking. I had to keep this loose so I could put the screws back in before I sealed it down. Also note the on/off switch mounted on the back of the unit indicated by the red arrow.
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps391.jpg
http://www.luckyleta.com/tech/archives/ps392.jpg
In the next post we will install the binding post, LED and fuse, replace the circuit board and wire it all up.