Electronics eletrics, grounding? (PSU) - Xbox

Discussion in 'Modding' started by Ouikikazz, 11 Jan 2003.

  1. Ouikikazz

    Ouikikazz What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2002
    Posts:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Im about to dive into modding my xbox, anyone who knows the internal workings of an xbox would know that the PSU sits next to the motherboard without any kind of casing. Anyhow I wanted to make a acrylic case for my Xbox but that power supply really scares me in terms of grounding it somehow or covering it up.

    My question is, should I place a sheet of metal on the bottom where the motherboard would somewhat rest (screws will elevate the motherboard a bit) and the PSU will simply be sitting on the sheet and mounted with screws?

    Would it be wise to use plastic screws? or should I stick with metal screws?

    Anything else I should worry about in terms of frying the xbox while it's operating, such as any type of grounding I should need to do.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Ouikikazz, 11 Jan 2003
    #1
  2. acrimonious

    acrimonious Custom User Title:

    Joined:
    8 Nov 2002
    Posts:
    4,060
    Likes Received:
    3
    I'd try to stick to the original design as possible, if they have used metal screws and a grounded metal base then it would be a safe option to do the same.

    I don't think your going to fry it because of grounding issues though.
     
    acrimonious, 11 Jan 2003
    #2
  3. Ouikikazz

    Ouikikazz What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2002
    Posts:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    i'm just scared of the psu because the inside housing (under the plastic casing) theres some thin metal sheet both for the bottom of the xbox and the top case of the xbox, now if i do that to the acrylic then that just totally ruins the whole idea of showing off the internals of the xbox ;)
     
    Ouikikazz, 11 Jan 2003
    #3
  4. SiMonTiST

    SiMonTiST Minimodder

    Joined:
    14 May 2002
    Posts:
    733
    Likes Received:
    0
    the metal plates could be for EM shielding (so you don't get interferance on the TV or whatever)
     
    SiMonTiST, 16 Jan 2003
    #4
  5. kiwi-x

    kiwi-x What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    16 Jan 2003
    Posts:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    grounding issues

    :confused: :confused:
    i just want to make sure i understand the initial instalation idea..

    the motherboard will be elevated off the metal plate, but the PSU will be mounted directly on it ???

    I can't say that i'm familiar with the insides of the x-box, but if the PSU is what i would assume - by, NO CASSING - the the circuit board would be bare aswell.

    The problem i see here is that the ground plate in a PSU is usually connected the the common ground via METAL screws, but the PSU itself is also raised from the metal plate (the common ground).... if the PSU were to be mounted directly onto the metal plate, all of the soldered points on the underside of the PSU would also be grounded out onto the common ground. This would probably "fry" the PSU if not the entire system.

    I personally just fried a PSU just the other day by grounding out some of the connectors.... got a loud "clap" and that wounderful smell of ozone in the air, as a few transistor arked :eeek:
     
    kiwi-x, 16 Jan 2003
    #5

Share This Page