Activating double power supply

[alkaline]

I am thinking of using a second power supply to run all of my many fans... I know how to get the power supply to turn on without attatching a motherboard, but how do I get BOTH powersupplys to run off of the 1 power button on my computer?

any tips or links?

[IFMU]

Well theres several ways to do it. The easiest that I know of and have actually done is take 2 wires and place them in the 2ndary PSU as you would when trying to turn it on alone. Then splice the wires into the PSU that is going into the mobo. Simple as that, although I know most dont want to go that route due to the cutting into the first PSU. I havent had any luck looking for the link... sorry. But Im sure someone will know it by heart...

[eobard]

Would slaving an AT ps into my ATX system and running my drives and / or fans off the AT help me stabilize my 5v line on my mainboard? What I'm asking is would the reduced drain on the ATX give me a more stable 5v line on the few things still running off the ATX?

[IFMU]

By my understanding if you run just the needed components off the primary psu and the extra (ie fans) off the secondary psu you will extend the life of the psu's cuz your not pushing either too hard...

[eobard]

Originally posted by ifmu
By my understanding if you run just the needed components off the primary psu and the extra (ie fans) off the secondary psu you will extend the life of the psu's cuz your not pushing either too hard...

Just how understandable is your understanding? ie: have you actually tested this? Do you have any real world stats?

[IFMU]

Ive read that on several articles. I have set up 2 psus before but Im still working on the case mods so I havent actually used it yet...

[scap]

What you really need is a little thing called a relay. They sell these at radio shack. If you go pick one up then all you need to do is soder a power plug to relay switch wires (look at the wirering diagram on the box or ask the people a radio shack). then to the part that the relay turns on solder the green and grey wires from the motherboard connector from the other power supply and your done i will in clude a pick of mine.
scap

[eobard]

Originally posted by scap
What you really need is a little thing called a relay. They sell these at radio shack. If you go pick one up then all you need to do is

What you need is a brain scan, which will probably come back negative for anyone who shops at radio scrap (myself included). If you pick a part up from them then all you need to do is take it back once you realize it does not work and then get your money back and shop at a place staffed by competent people who sell goods that aren't factory rejects held together with duct tape, luck and wishful thinking.

1) That was a vent, not an attack directed against anyone.
2) Sorry for the vent but it needed to be said.

[stool]

Try HERE (http://www.burningissues.net/how_to/power/psu.htm) I have done it this way, and it works great. Just make sure you get a quality ATX cable.

[The Rookie]

So how did you do with hooking up two power supplies?

I was thinking of doing the same thing. I have four disk drives in my case, 2 cdroms, 4 fans not counting the power supply, thought I would move all of it to the aux. p/s.

Did you leave the 2nd p/s outside of your case?