Computer Molex Power Y-Splitter

Many people out there have undoubtedly found themselves in a situation where they need to plug another computer component into their power supply but have run out of plugs. You think to yourself "jeez, I need more plugs!" Well, here is the solution.

Using parts from an old power supply and a case fan, I've built a Molex Y-splitter. I've seen these retail for around $4 (more if you take shipping into consideration). The parts I used were leftovers - total cost of $0.00.

Step 1: Materials & Tools

Just a friendly reminder: Always know the proper use of any of your equipment - read any manuals and take all safety precautions. Safety glasses are recommended in just about any endeavor including tools, so if you think you need them, WEAR THEM. I am not responsible if you hurt yourself attempting this mod and I hope you don't. I managed not to burn myself with the soldering iron this time, so go me!

Materials:

• Leftover (male) power plugs from old power supply
• Female molex plug (mine was from a case fan)
• heatshrink (or electrical tape, if you don't have it)

Tools:

• Thin-nosed plyers
• Wire stripper
• Incredibly tiny flathead screwdriver (like the kind you find in a eyeglasses repair kit)
• Soldering iron and solder

Comments

[ichibon]

fantastic post

[westfw]

Nicely documented and written. But... Why did you go to the trouble of disconnecting one of your "male" connectors; they were already wired together and you should have been able to just attach the "female" connector to the loose end. It wouldn't have LOOKED like a "Y", but it would have been the same electrically, for all practical purposes. I would have sexed the connectors based on the shape of the pins rather than of the housing, but consistency is good enough.

[frazeeg]

Actually, that's a great point. I didn't really think about it until now, but everything's running in parallel either way you hook it up. I think I like it better this way because to me it just seems to take up less space and make less clutter in the box. Of course, you can minimize the wire clutter with some zip ties and make it the same either way. Oh well - I just like playing with this stuff :-P

[!Andrew_Modder!]

cool, but i dont need this cause i got a 700watt psu with many molex adapters :-D