The Ultimate ATX Power Supply Mod With USB Charging Ports

I know there is already a bunch of these on here, but I didn't see any quite like this so I thought I would post it, so here it is.

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This power supply has 3 12v lines, 3 5v lines, 3 3.3v lines, 1 -12v line, & 2 USB ports.
It uses a 480 Watt ATX power supply and puts out enough power to run most projects.
It cost about $35 for everything including the ATX power supply.
This is also a good way to make those ATX power supplys that most people have sitting around gathering dust useful again.

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WARNING

This project involves electricity and sharp tools.
however this power supply only puts out 24v max You should not open the case, when plugged in there is a deadly amount of power inside and the capacitors inside will store a large amount of power for days even when unplugged.
This power supply puts out enough current to start a fire. Make sure to use wire that is heavy enough to handle the current and make sure that there are no shorts.
I AM NOT RESPONSABLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO WITH THE INFORMATION HERE
I am not responsible if you electrocute yourself or anyone else, if you blow something up, or if you burn your house down so be careful.

Step 1 Parts & Tools

Parts

• ATX Power Supply
• Binding Posts With Banana Jacks
• Butt Splices
• Eye Connectors
• Type A USB Jacks
• 12 Way Terminal Block
• Small Piece Of Strip board
• Miniature SPST Toggle Switch
• NC Momentary Pushbutton Switch
• Panel Mount Indicator LED (Mine has a built in resistor for 12v use)
• High Power Resistors
• Heat sinks For Resistors
• Wire For Connecting Everything
• Super Glue
• Electrical Tape
• Zip Ties
• Craft Plywood Or Other Material To Make Case Out Of

Tools

• Wire Strippers
• Wire Cutters
• Crimpers
• Utility Knife
• Pliers
• Hot Glue Gun
• Soldering Iron & Solder
• Drill & Drill Bits
• Screw Driver
• Volt Meter

Comments

[1! 5#L]

24 volt by using +12 v and -12v if want higher current should change diode-12v to a bigger one

[rocketman221]

There is nothing easy you can do to increase the current from -12v.

[NightLord]

Would it be wrong if I connected +5 and +12 outputs in series, to get 17V? That's because I'm trying to charge car battery using ATX, and connecting it to -12V is not the option, due to it's poor current rating.

[rocketman221]

You can't connect the outputs in series.
The negative connections are connected to ground so you can't connect two different power supplies in series either.

[NightLord]

It seems obvious to me now, what was I thinking :)
Any other suggestions how to get 17V and some decent current?

[rocketman221]

You could look for an old laptop power supply. Some of them will be around 17 volts and the usually supply 2 - 4 amps. I have gotten them cheaply at yard sales and swap meets.
I have a 16v one that works well for charging batteries.

[Theinventor94]

On the specifications of my computer power supply it says "+5 VDC minimum load is 0.2 A when there is a minimum load of 0.3 A on the +12 VDC and 0.42 A on the +3.3 VDC outputs simultaneously. +5 V minimum load is 1 A for load transient tests." After reading this I still have no clue if I need a Power resistor. How do I know what I need?

[rocketman221]

3.3V - 5 ohm - .66A - 2.2W
5V - 5 ohm - 1A - 5W
12V - 20 ohm - .6A - 7.2W

The 12V resistor will get very hot. It should be a 20W resistor or two 10 ohm 10W resistors in series. The 5v resistor should be 10W and the 3.3v should be a 5W.
Using a resistor rated for twice the power dissipated keeps them from getting burning hot.

[Theinventor94]

Thanks!

[fgorenc]

did you wire the atx power on switch like so: http://ubuntuone.com/p/155G/

[rocketman221]

No, I've never seen it wired like that before. The green wire (ps_on) is connected to ground.

[fgorenc]

i have had it wired like this and had no problems but when i wired another power supply with ps-on wire to the ground it burned the power supply immediately. i read about "ps-on to ground" on wikipedia. i figured out the right way (ps-on to pwr-ok) by my self.

[fgorenc]

i just tried ps-on to ground on two power supplies. i gues we now have two ways to turn a power supply on: ps-on to ground or ps-on to pwr-ok. i probably short circuted that other supply that burned. :)

[rocketman221]

Some old dell power supplies used a different pinout even though the connector is identical.

[fgorenc]

all i know is i had it wired my way and it's been working for years and it still works.
no additional loads needed. it's not a dell but generic atx.

[legoman44]

I believe USB ports are limited to 500mA. Are the two USB ports current limited in any way?

[Cyberscann54]

my laptop usb allows up to a 1000mA or 1A per port It all realy has to do with the Motherboard and what the psu can handle I have seen some that can supply 2A per port with all the hubs and other stuff out there most computer companies realized the 500mA was not enough and the keep breaking and burning out

[MaXoR]

In most cases, it would be wise to use a regulating circuit that will only output 500mA. I believe in this case however, it's VERY useful the way he set it up. I know personally that when I want to charge more then two things off my USB hub.... they both charge slower! I think in this case, it's fine. Cell phones, IPOD's, Blackberries.... all charge at over 500mA current draw. If you want to know why they limit it to 500mA......... there is no reason! There are downsides however: - USB cords stop responding after 16 feet - USB hubs which split one port into 4, only gets 125mA PER PORT!!! USB is nice, wireless is better!

[rocketman221]

usb 3.0 increases power to 900mA.

[rocketman221]

The usb ports on the power supply are connected to the 5V standby line which is limited to 2 amps.

[Vick Jr]

Very nice job. The only suggestion I have is to make it have molex and motherboard connectors in the back so you can just plug in any power supply withought taking anything apart. You could put the resistors with heat sinks in the wooden case and add a fan and air vent. Then it would be completely modular.

[iApple guy]

Me to thats what i`m making

[dagenius]

wouldn't the -12 volt line just be the same as the 12 volt line, just with the terminals switched?

[rocketman221]

Yes but you can get 24 volts from the +12v to the -12v line. The -12v can be used just like the +12v though.

[dagenius]

oh, so using the -12v as a second groundish thing, but lower? and also, when you say the -12v can be used just like the +12v, do you mean that the -12v can be used with the ground, so that, like before, the -12 acts like a more negative terminal than the ground?

[rocketman221]

Here I home this diagram helps.

[welder guy]

on the top line it says24 volts. which is positive and negetive? im still learning about dual rail power supplies

[rocketman221]

The -12v is negative. That would be the blue wire on an atx power supply.
The +12v is positive.

[zack247]

well it certainly helps me :D
i have a powerbook 190 that uses 24v and has no 24v adapter.

[rocketman221]

Make sure the -12v line can supply enough current. The -12v on my power supply only puts out 800mA.

[four_eyes954]

What exactly is this for?

[Archive555]

It's a handy power supply that outputs a few different standard voltages so you can bench-test circuits you make, or use it to power devices.

[cdousley]

i wouldent want any more than one amp on those is that possible?

[rocketman221]

The easiest thing would be to put a fuse of circuit breaker on the line. You can make a current limiting circuit with an LM317 but that burns off a couple of volts though, so the supply voltage would have to be a couple of volts higher than what you need. Other than that you would have to build your own switching power supply with an LM2679, which has an adjustable current limit.

[cdousley]

how often do you think the fuse would blow? also should i just put the fuse of the value i need or higher or lower? Thanks for you help

[cdousley]

hey i got an idea theres like more than one 12v red wire if i used like two instead of all off them would it be less amps?

[rocketman221]

Using less of the 12v wires wont reduce the current. If you use a fuse you should use a value slightly higher than what you need. A fuse will only blow if its overloaded. You could also use a small atx around 120 - 150 watts, the 12v line will only be around 4 amps. If you are really worried about the current maybe you should look for a lab power supply with adjustable current, but they are pricey.

[cdousley]

ok i just heard that about the wires somewhere or maybe i imagined it(Dreaming about power supplies?) ill probably us some fuses. THANKS FOR THE HELP! :D

[hjartland]

This is too cool! I hope to build my version and HOPEFULLY improve upon the PSU hacks found here. Nicely done!

[speedyspy2]

okay so. I just made one of these... here are some pics...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/speedyspy2/IMG_6204.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/speedyspy2/IMG_6205.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/speedyspy2/IMG_6206.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/speedyspy2/IMG_6207.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/speedyspy2/IMG_6208.jpg

Im gonna add the usb mod soon and make a power switch so i can hide the metal atx behind it.(rite now i need it to turn it on and off)