Using this PSU?

Hemppis · 14th August 2004, 02:23 PM

Hey all!

I got hold of 3 of this kind of PSU (see images below), stripped from old external hard drive units. So, I was wondering if these could be used as a PSU to any DIY project (DAC, preamp, CMOY, etc?)?

pic 1

pic 2

pic 3

pic 4

Thanks in advance

johnnyx · 14th August 2004, 04:19 PM

They are switch - mode power supplies. The output voltages will probably be 5v and 12v. that may be useful for a digital circuit, but not so good for an audio circuit. I'd expect a fair ammount of power for their size. They give out RF noise too, and should be screened from audio stuff.

I've used similar ones though, for the digital control of a preamp; worth having, I would say.

Hemppis · 14th August 2004, 08:20 PM

Outputs are indeed +5 and +12V (4th pic

)

So it's only good for powering the digital side of things...
With me being a n00b, would you care to elaborate a bit?

johnnyx · 15th August 2004, 08:45 PM

Analogue op -amp circuits usually run from split-rail supplies of +15v and -15v. DACs could be powered from that supply though. You could use two, one for +12v and+5v with a common ground, the other for the -12v. Connect the ground to the +12v of the last one, so you get +12v, +5v, and -12v. This should be useful to you. I have used switching supplies on audio circuits without problems of noise, but I had one where it was getting in via the ground lead. It was just +12v, so signal ground and power ground both used the 0v rail. It was noisy, and there was not much I could do, because of the layout. This is the reason for my words of caution, so you aren't disappointed with your first projects. You could read up on these things, so you can best avoid problems.

Hope this helps, have fun

imix500 · 15th August 2004, 10:20 PM

I bought about 30 of these off ebay, they were apparently oem modules for external computer stuff. Jameco also sells this exact model. The outputs are 1 amp on the 12v and 1.5 amps on the 5v. I've got them running some control type electronics and havn't had problems, but they seem to be very sensitive to overloading as they won't tolerate it for long before they blow.

14th August 2004, 02:23 PM	#1
Hemppis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Classified	Using this PSU? Hey all! I got hold of 3 of this kind of PSU (see images below), stripped from old external hard drive units. So, I was wondering if these could be used as a PSU to any DIY project (DAC, preamp, CMOY, etc?)? pic 1 pic 2 pic 3 pic 4 Thanks in advance

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14th August 2004, 04:19 PM	#2
johnnyx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: manchester	They are switch - mode power supplies. The output voltages will probably be 5v and 12v. that may be useful for a digital circuit, but not so good for an audio circuit. I'd expect a fair ammount of power for their size. They give out RF noise too, and should be screened from audio stuff. I've used similar ones though, for the digital control of a preamp; worth having, I would say.

14th August 2004, 08:20 PM	#3
Hemppis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Classified	Outputs are indeed +5 and +12V (4th pic ) So it's only good for powering the digital side of things... With me being a n00b, would you care to elaborate a bit?

15th August 2004, 08:45 PM	#4
johnnyx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: manchester	Analogue op -amp circuits usually run from split-rail supplies of +15v and -15v. DACs could be powered from that supply though. You could use two, one for +12v and+5v with a common ground, the other for the -12v. Connect the ground to the +12v of the last one, so you get +12v, +5v, and -12v. This should be useful to you. I have used switching supplies on audio circuits without problems of noise, but I had one where it was getting in via the ground lead. It was just +12v, so signal ground and power ground both used the 0v rail. It was noisy, and there was not much I could do, because of the layout. This is the reason for my words of caution, so you aren't disappointed with your first projects. You could read up on these things, so you can best avoid problems. Hope this helps, have fun

15th August 2004, 10:20 PM	#5
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	I bought about 30 of these off ebay, they were apparently oem modules for external computer stuff. Jameco also sells this exact model. The outputs are 1 amp on the 12v and 1.5 amps on the 5v. I've got them running some control type electronics and havn't had problems, but they seem to be very sensitive to overloading as they won't tolerate it for long before they blow.