Molex power for drives via 1/8" connectors

[Pro*Banshee]

First time posting...so go easy on me.

Would "3.5MM (1/8") 3-CONDUCTOR INLINE PHONE JACKS"
work for molex power to drives?

I had in mind a kind of power distribution block to rid myself of all those nasty long wires inside my already cramped case, and was thinking of soldering those jacks onto the molex connector positions on the drives and then in the power block and then using 1/8" patch cables to connect the two.

Would amperage be a concern?

Also, there are two ground lines in a wire, would it hurt to combine two of those into one assuming there is enough umph in the small (maybe 24-18g wire I plan on using)?

<edit> spelling

[pwnt by pat]

YEA FOO. Try posting in the modding section with a link to orac3. You can't combine the two negatives as each are an idepentant line (-12v and -5v) with their own amperage tolorances.

[greenman100]

Originally posted by pwnt by pat
YEA FOO. Try posting in the modding section with a link to orac3. You can't combine the two negatives as each are an idepentant line (-12v and -5v) with their own amperage tolorances.

:( you are wrong.

There are 5 voltages straight out of the PSU, all with reference to ground.

+12v and ground=12v.
+5v and ground=5v.
+3.3v and ground=3.3v.
-5v and ground =-5v.
-12v and ground=-12v.

Ground is _not_ the same as the -12v or -5v lines. If you use a +12v line and a -12v line, you will have 24v.

If you would like, I can post a picture of my old 400w PSU, where all the black (ground) wires run together into one big solder blob.

[greenman100]

Originally posted by Pro*Banshee
First time posting...so go easy on me.


[SIZE=7]Welcome to the forums!{/SIZE]

Originally posted by Pro*Banshee
Would "3.5MM (1/8") 3-CONDUCTOR INLINE PHONE JACKS"
work for molex power to drives?


Yes. All you need is 3 conductors, provided that you connect the two middle pins of the molex. See below fo amperage concerns, though.

Originally posted by Pro*Banshee

I had in mind a kind of power distribution block to rid myself of all those nasty long wires inside my already cramped case, and was thinking of soldering those jacks onto the molex connector positions on the drives and then in the power block and then using 1/8" patch cables to connect the two.


Excellent idea, but realize, it will be tough to seel the drives, or use them in a molex system, if the connectors still have solder on them, or are melted. Be careful!


Originally posted by Pro*Banshee

Would amperage be a concern?


Yes, see below.

Originally posted by Pro*Banshee

Also, there are two ground lines in a wire, would it hurt to combine two of those into one assuming there is enough umph in the small (maybe 24-18g wire I plan on using)?


Well, my hard drives are rated at about 1.5A total. If you had 3 or 4 drives on 24 gauge wire, you could start to see wire heating and voltage drops. I'd go with 14 or 16 gauge wire, to be safe.


http://bnoack.com/index.html?http&&&bnoack.com/data/wire-resistance.html

[Pro*Banshee]

As you can see:
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/114/6
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/114/7
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/114/8

Orac3 was the computer I got my idea from, except instead of just using his headphone jacks for power for LED's or fans, I'd use them for hard drives as well, and I would wire them as a parallel circut (see image)

standard speaker wire is what, 18 gauge? or could it be 24