Dual PSU Mod "Two Crappy PSUs Are Better Than One"

[Ultam8um]

When I got my XP 2200+, my Antec SmartPower 300w would not cut it. I was getting constant reboots/lock-ups so I decided to go to the garage and grab an old AT power supply. This worked great, but looked trashy just sitting there, so I made this!

http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/1203/DUAL_back.jpg
(Dremeled out slot for power in)

http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/1203/DUAL_switch.jpg
(Created front switch mount from drive bay cover)

This set-up works perfect :) . I have the ATX psu powering the mobo, hdd, and cd-rom. While the AT powers all the fans.

http://www.theforumisdown.com/uploadfiles/1203/DUAL_tt_fans.jpg
(ThermalTake Rocks :attn: )

Questions/comments/concerns?

[Rocko[DPC]]

I was planning on doing the same thing with my antique 130 watt AT PSU. But I couldnt get the damn thing to start. Even with 30 or so watts of fans on it, it wont run. Starts up, the fans spin a bit, then it just kinda turns off. I dunno prolly end up burning my house down or something if I use it.

Good work though, looks nice.

[Ultam8um]

Thanks :D The PSU is an AT 250w and when a second case fan is added I can tell they spin slower...

[RangerJoe]

not sure about the "thermaltake rocks" part....but good job with the DIY mod. those are always better than just buying new stuff.

you should get some sleeving on those wires, or at least some spiral wrap.

good work though

[Ultam8um]

I know nothing of sleeving, care to educate me? What size would I need to sleeve the standard 4-pin molex wires?

[Black_Ops]

some power supplys need like an 1/2 draw on the 5 volt rail, i happened to have some big ol 5 ohm 50 watt resistors arround, an i threw 2 of em (in serries) on the five volt rail and it worked just fine.

[Rocko[DPC]]

Black_Ops what do you mean a 1/2 draw? Half the rated wattage on the 5 volt rail? Or 1/2 an amp?

[Ultam8um]

Just noticed I got three stars! Tiiiigggghhhhthttt, Is'nt there some secret deal making forum I can get into now?

[graycat]

As I remember, AT PSU does not require any load to start. I used to have 2 old IBM AT PSUs as my testing DC power supply.

[Ultam8um]

AT needs no load at all, just a on/off switch :)

[Jon187]

Nice clean mod. I was expecting the PSU to be sitting on the floor with wires everywhere ;)

[graycat]

BTW, if the AT PSU is only used to power the fans, a 100V AC- 12V DC adeptor may do the trick. You may use it to power the HDD and CD-ROM.

[Ultam8um]

Wont it jack it up unless they are started at the EXACT same time?

[JoT]

nope, hard drives are initialized in the BIOS, the system won't even try to run windows if the drives aren't initialized

[Ultam8um]

Ah tight! Thnx guys :D

[warlock110]

that's prett cool, is there a guide how to do this? i'm about to buy a new case and hopefully take the PSU from my old case and plug it in.
What i'm getting from this is that PSU #1 will connect to the mobo and run CPU and all that crap. PSU #2 won't connec to mobo, instead that connector to mobo wont be use. and it only use the 4 pin plugs for the fans. Is that right?
hehe this is so cool, btw can you mod this to any case or does it have to be big enough to fit the PSU.
I'm a little new to moding, but what do u use to cut the case?

[Ultam8um]

You've got the psu idea right..

[AlucardCasull]

youll most likely need a pretty big case, cause youll have to fit 2 psu's in there. a nice server case will do you fine.
Ultam8um: thats an awesome mod dude, gj!

[Black_Ops]

1/2 amp, i guess i pulled a famous typo. oh well you colda done the math 10 ohms on 5v rail is .5 amps.

[JoT]

What people with space at the top of their cases could do (like myself, with about 2-3 inches above my PSU in my Chieftec Dragon), is get a mATX PSU and cram it up there, no need to get a new case, and still have two PSU's. I'm using an itty bitty 200W PSU in my mATX comp, so I know it would fit in the space.
It's about 1.5" tall, and 4" wide, so it will fit, but it might be tight, a blowhole might help a lot. I'll see if I can find the PSU I'm using.

[doc6886]

That looks sweet with two PSUs lol