Computer Power Supply question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Mercer County, OH
Computer Power Supply question
I've obtained a working computer power supply and I'd like to use it to power a car stereo system. The power supply provides 12 volt DC and 8 amps but I'm not sure what wires are used to switch the power supply on. I'm guessing the color coding is pretty much universal so I'm asking if anyone knows what I need to do to turn it on?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Durham, NC
I've seen 2 different color wires used to turn computer power supplies on.
Green, and Grey. If you have these color wires, try tying each one to GND, and see if the power comes up. I've also modified the 12V on computer power supplies to put out 14V, instead of 12V. 14V is the normal "running" voltage in an automotive electrical system. This can also be used as a battery charger.
Green, and Grey. If you have these color wires, try tying each one to GND, and see if the power comes up. I've also modified the 12V on computer power supplies to put out 14V, instead of 12V. 14V is the normal "running" voltage in an automotive electrical system. This can also be used as a battery charger.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Long island NY
To keep it on you need a load on the 6v side, so use a tail light or something.. then you have about 5 amps on the 12v side. black is useualy common and black 12, yellow 6. sometimes its switched.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by RyanMiller
To keep it on you need a load on the 6v side, so use a tail light or something.. then you have about 5 amps on the 12v side. black is useualy common and black 12, yellow 6. sometimes its switched.
Here are some common voltages / wire colors:
3.3V ---- ORANGE
5.0V ---- RED
12V ----- YELLOW
-12V ---- BLUE
-5.0V --- WHITE
5.0V (standby) --- PURPLE
POWER-ON ---- GREEN (negative active, tie to GND to enable power)
GND ---- BLACK (for all supplies)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Mercer County, OH
Bob, I just tried jumping the green to ground and all that happens is the cooling fan makes about one rotation then stops. RyanMiller mentioned that you need a load on a different voltage to keep it on. Does that sound right?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Durham, NC
Most of the PC power supplies I have messed with don't need any external load to power up. The other possibility is it has some kind of remote "sense" that needs to be connected. Most supplies have small adjustments, but not enough to raise the 12V to 14V. I had to change some resistor values to get
the 12V to 14V, and I also disabled the other voltages (5V, 3.3V, etc.) to give me more current from the 12V. E-mail me the manufacturer, and model number of the power supply you have, and I'll try and find the schematic for it, to tell you where to go from here.....
the 12V to 14V, and I also disabled the other voltages (5V, 3.3V, etc.) to give me more current from the 12V. E-mail me the manufacturer, and model number of the power supply you have, and I'll try and find the schematic for it, to tell you where to go from here.....
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Bruker, you will need a load on all sides of the supply to make it work. I suggest an old hard drive or similar. I've had the same problems you are having. Luckily I had an old MFM hdd (who remembers those?) that did the trick quite nicely.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: South Texas
Here is a site that may help. Has pinout information covering AT,ATX, and ATX-2 power supply types.
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/p...nc-pinouts.htm
I have been using an old AT type to power some of my projects with good success, and it powers up without needing any artificial loads, but I also have heard that some MAY need them.
Dialtone
NOTE: Some Dell ATX power supplies DO NOT conform to the standard ATX pinouts on the motherboard connector, but still supply the standard voltages.
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/p...nc-pinouts.htm
I have been using an old AT type to power some of my projects with good success, and it powers up without needing any artificial loads, but I also have heard that some MAY need them.
Dialtone
NOTE: Some Dell ATX power supplies DO NOT conform to the standard ATX pinouts on the motherboard connector, but still supply the standard voltages.
Last edited by Dialtone; Nov 21, 2005 at 05:31 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by Bruker
Bob, I just tried jumping the green to ground and all that happens is the cooling fan makes about one rotation then stops. RyanMiller mentioned that you need a load on a different voltage to keep it on. Does that sound right?
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