I'm looking for a small (very small) 12v DC power supply with at least 250Watts. It's the key to a contingency plan I have in mind ,allowing me to run my new 220Watts worth of Delta Fans independently of the computer controlling the other computer that communicates with the computer that drives my watercooling system (jeeze... this project is getting complicated Haha) I searched the Internets on the Google machine but didn't find too many cost viable solutions. I'm sure there's at least one person here who's seen such an item, and can be of assistance. Points in any direction would be helpful at this time. My priority with this item is it needs to be as small as possible and I'm not one to sacrifice quality so no ebay cheapo's. Thanks in advance. =)
A shuttle one, with the ATX connectors trimmed and then shorted out, or using a Lian Li cable that starts both PSU's when you power up the system..
I considered something like that, because I happen to have an old shuttle PSU kicking around. but I hoping to find something more along the lines of this: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/samam32inpsu.html only smaller.
How about something from the medical industry like: http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/mps-200-12.shtml It's only 200 Watts but they make higher. This one is 300W http://www.trcelectronics.com/Cosel/lda300w-12.shtml john
I think apart from that and the Shuttle PSU, your only option will be a Pico-PSU which IIRC is only ~90-110W, which won't be enough.. Out of intrest, can't you just splice all of the fans onto a single 12V line coming off the PSU?
Yes and no. I have the spare wattage on my main PSU but I want to alleviate the load as much as possible with all my extra fixings. The router gets its own PSU, the Pico gets it's own PSU, the lights have their own, why not the Fans too? Also I'm going to be computer controlling the fans. The Pico unit is undesirable because it used an external transformer of considerable size... I have one. The medical industry ones are a good idea actually... Thanks John - but surely there must be even smaller ones out there?!?
i am sure you could build your own 12v PSU, after all you only want a 12v rail with enough current to power them all. At least that way you know its up to spec and will do the job in a compact unit.
200 Watt sound awful lot, if you consider a 120mm fan running @ 3 Watt. So you gonna tell, that you have 60x 120mm fans running?
"Chassis" SMPS are quite common and away from the word "medical" much cheaper, though still far more than an AT or ATX unit. 12V 150W chassis - £42 Again you'll have no problem finding higher wattages from Mean Well and others. There is a minimum size, these things still generate a lot of heat.
@jrs77 - Nope mate not 60x... The fans I'm using have a max draw of 48W EACH, and throw over 240CFM @ 5200RPM. Deltas are a little outside the realm of 'enthusiast', teetering on the edge of 'bat **** crazy'. Haha [edit]I am working on a graphics super computer system based around the asus p6t6ws revolution loaded with 12gpu's. This project will feature 9x360mm rads and 58x120mmx38mm fans among a great deal of other things... but that's my 'next' project, it's still in its infancy until I finish Prometheus[/edit] @Cpemma - Unfortunately the 150W models you linked are just about the same size as a ~300W meanwell... which is about 2x too big for my application. This need to fit INSIDE prometheus... and space is already non existent. @Burnout - I know I could build my own, but I'd rather not at this point it's a lot of time that I don't have unfortunately. Thanks though.
I've figured out my size constraints. I'd have done this earlier but I was at work slacking off when I had the idea. The unit must fit the follow compartment: Length: 18" Height: ~1" Width: ~5" And have the following specs: 120V AC input 12V DC output 250Watts + Preferably passively cooled (not that I'd ever be able to hear it over the fans... it's the principle), but at the size I want I don't think that's going to be an option. It's pretty much gong to by strapped to the side of my rad/fan/shroud assembly, inside the copper tray that will house the radiator in my Prometheus project.
I think the 1" is what is going to be very difficult. To drop from 125V to 12V at 20+ amps is going to require serious heatsinks. Converting most of the voltage to heat. Is there enough airflow across the proposed PSU to allow panless/passive use? Another thought is maybe a high power DC-DC PSU like the carputer people and high end audio people use. Take a 12V lead off the existing PSU and bump it up to the watts you need. Most of these are silent and passive. This thread has some interesting stickys. http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/power-supplies/ john
That's a damn fine idea! Pay attention kids - John has wisdom. Af for air flow and heat... this PSU is going to be bolted to the side of a copper box (~20x6x9) - which could be used as a heatsink with some clever engineering. On the top of that box will be 3x 250CFM fans sucking air out On the bottom of that box will be 3x 250CFM fans blowing air in It is joined in the box by a 360mm rad. There is a lot of potential there for cooling with some proper forethought.
I just want to be sure... I could use something like this. I then plug it into my system PSU and it will output the same voltage I gave it but juiced with more wattage though electronics wizardry? Genius. You sir have a beautiful mind.
I just thought that today's dual rail high end ATX PSUs would have the capacity to add another device without the need for an additional mains cable. Like how many people need 1K or 1.5K Watt PSU? john
No, in fact less wattage as the efficiency is around 80% at best. The linked device generates the PC 12V, 5V, 3,3V, etc, from a wide range of battery inputs. The car amp inverters are aiming to produce a higher voltage than the 14V alternator, essential for a high wattage amplifier using standard 4-ohm car speakers. No free lunch.
So how can I properly take advantage of something like this to run the fans? This unit has a unique added benefit because it can be controlled over serial inteface with the PICO-ITX computer that will be commanding the rest of the watercooling components. This will let me time out the pumps and fans a few mins after shutdown automatically - keeping things cool. Or am I totally barking down teh wrong ally now? and I need stick with a standard AC/DC supply?
What about this 270W Thermaltake 5.25" Drive bay supply for GPUs? http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1156&ID=1710#Tab0
No No No... Firstly, its made by Thermaltake and secondly those, aswell as the FSP F3 Boosters (same things basically) had a history of shoring out and either frying the GPU's or you'd get a shock when you touched the case.
