Multiple psu

[tensixty]

I've searched but found nothing. I have a virtualy new 350w psu that I have no use for, I got a 500w on the computer im building right now. I wanted to add some extra accessories, such as fans, lights, and so on... but I wanted to know if/how I could use the 350w psu just for the extra accessories that the computer does not need to operate?

[Mountain Dew]

i would imagine so

my server uses two psu's

[tybrenis]

You most likely do not need two PSUs for powering exta lights, fans, etc.

I had a PC with a 550 watt PSU that powered four cold cathodes, 5 fans, a video card, two hard drives, two CD roms, and all 6 PCI slots.

You should be fine.

[chedabob]

ive heard of people using a second power supply for lighting. just wire it up as normal, but you need to fit a switch on the ATX connector to turn it on. If you are lazy, you could possibly just get an AT psu.

[Nagoshi]

Or you could mod it to a test PSU. Someone here could tell you how to do it, since I dont remember. That is, assuming your PSU has a master power switch on it.

[tensixty]

Or you could mod it to a test PSU. Someone here could tell you how to do it, since I dont remember. That is, assuming your PSU has a master power switch on it.

After posting this question I started to browse through the site and ran into an artical on how to convert a psu into a test psu. thats probably the route i'll take.


You most likely do not need two PSUs for powering exta lights, fans, etc.

I had a PC with a 550 watt PSU that powered four cold cathodes, 5 fans, a video card, two hard drives, two CD roms, and all 6 PCI slots.

You should be fine.

Im sure you right. I mean, a 500w and a 350w is not really neccessary, its just plain overkill :D , but I plan on adding some lights among other accessories that I would like be abel to turn on without acctually having the computer on it's self. So the extra psu (350w) will be strictly for ANYTHING the computer does not need to opperate, neons, not all case fans but extra case fans I will be adding. One thing that I don't mind overkill on is extra case fans to keep the computer running nice and cool. Long story short, due to ignorance I burned out a perfectly good AMD proccessor, better saf

e than sorry, even if it means overkill! lol :D

Thanks for the input.

[b4i7]

i believe you could just route a green and black(the 2 you need of a test psu) into the main psu so they turn on and off together

but dont take my word for it...i plan on doin some testing with that within a month or so..

[a.Bird]

I think you're looking for this
http://www.nabrewing.com/mispack/pics/022103miscequip/FILTER%20PUMP%20CIRCUT%20PANEL.jpg
check ebay

[Cannibal23]

ive heard of people using a second power supply for lighting. just wire it up as normal, but you need to fit a switch on the ATX connector to turn it on. If you are lazy, you could possibly just get an AT psu.

to turn on a standard atx powersupply without it being connected to a system board you will need to short the green wire to any black wire on the large connector. this short must stay in place for as long as you wish the power supply to run. if yours has a switch on the back then you can simply connect these 2 wires in a permanant or semi permanant way and just use the on off button on the back of the power supply to turn it on and off. i have done this many many many time. beware however if it is a power supply that comes with a name brand pc (dell ibm compaq ...) it may have a propriatary pinout on that connector useing diffrent colors. on standard atx supplies its green and any black however