Field portable PC power supply

[Yellowirenut]

Found an old PSU and decided to make it into something more portable. This was after I found out the case I had bought was 1/4 inch to small in width to keep my TX in


Cut away all those useless wires.


Used wood to keep it in place inside the box.


hole cut in the side to allow plug in and ventilation.


Toggle switch for on/off and blocks to distribute power.


Closed up.

sorry suck pics taken with phone.

[quarry44]

So when you take it to the field,you'd better be carrying a loooooooooooooong extension cord
But seriously,a very neat installation.Way better than my scruffy "throw it on a shelf" solution.

[RCModelReviews]

But seriously,a very neat installation.Way better than my scruffy "throw it on a shelf" solution.

Or my own "just throw it on the floor" version

[Kevin Fairgrieve]

I have a couple of those PC PSU`s lying around. Not a bad use for them.

[ergocentric]

Very nice, just one suggestion: replace wood with 94V0 flame resistant material, or maybe something like aluminum siding as protection?

[Yellowirenut]

Very nice, just one suggestion: replace wood with 94V0 flame resistant material, or maybe something like aluminum siding as protection?

why?

Batteries will not be stored in it. Im not sure it would ever get hot enough to start the wood on fire. Wood burns at 450 degrees F. If the thing does have a melt down I would have to start all over as it seems each PSU Ive seen has a slight different position for the fan.

I can easily make the interior out of sheet metal at my workplaces shop. This was just a Sunday afternoon light-bulb thing

[StuckOnTheDock]

Hello all,
That is a beautiful setup! I have converted a PC power supply for use with a charger, one problem though. When I connect the green wire to ground, the PS fan spins for a second, I get a DC voltage reading, and everything shuts down. I have no clue what is going on. The green wire goes to a connection on the PCB which reads PSON, so I am assuming it is the correct wire. Any suggestions?

[Shotglass]

depending on the age and quality of the psu it might not like having a load only on the 12v rail with no load on the 5v and 3.3v rails
other than that it may simply be broken

[StuckOnTheDock]

Hmmm, I was trying to turn it on with no load whatsoever, it is a newer PS, a year or two old. Do they require a load to operate, in general that is?

[chrisjunkie]

Hmmm, I was trying to turn it on with no load whatsoever, it is a newer PS, a year or two old. Do they require a load to operate, in general that is?

Most need a load either over the 3.3v line or the 5v. I 10ohm 10watt ceramic resistor will do it. There is a great guide on Instructables on how to do it