How to Turn an X-Box 360 PSU Into a 12v Lab PSU

Intro: How to Turn an X-Box 360 PSU Into a 12v Lab PSU

In this instructable I will show you how to turn an X-Box 360 PSU into a high ampere 12v power supply. This is simple and it only requires a few parts. In the 2nd hand store, I found and X-Box 360 PSU for $10 and I looked at the back and thought this great for a 12v Supply because it could output a lot of amps, 12.2 to be exact.

So I tracked down the wire Identification and I made one into a 12v Power supply.


P.S(U) I was using an Iphone Because my camera was dead and I'm 13 so please no bad comments!

Lets Cut the X-Box connector!

STEP 1: You'll Need...

You will need a few basic things for this project...
1. An X-Box 360 PSU (power brick)
2. Heatshrink
3. A small length of Red and Black with able to withstand 12 to 16 amps.
4. Two 15A alligator clamps
5. Solder

The tools you will need...
1. Soldering iron or station
2. Wire cutters
3. Wire strippers
4. Something to shrink heatshrink (My mini blowtorch)
5. Crimp tool

STEP 2: First Step

Strip the main insulation taking care not to cut the cores' insulation. After that, You will come across 8 wires. 3 black, 3 yellow, a blue and a red.
Strip the red and blue wires and twist them together. After that, Solder them together. Then move on to the next step.

STEP 3: Second Step...

Strip all the yellow wires and twist them together. Tin the conductor after that with solder.
Now take on end of the thick red bit of the cable and put some heatshrink over it
After that, solder them together like in the picture and melt the heatshrink over the newly soldered joint
Next step...

STEP 4: The Highly Anticipated Third Step

Now repeat the procedure with the ground and black wire. Heatshrink it.

STEP 5: Almost Done... Well Sortof

Put the big bit of heatshrink over and shrink it. Make sure the red and blue wire are in there. I used a short piece because it was the only bit I had. You're almost done.

STEP 6: The Aligator Clamps

Now it's time to put on the aligator clamps. Strip the other ends of the thick wire and tin both negative and positive. Then put the clamps on making sure the clamps are the right colour for the polarity. It will save a lot of confusion

STEP 7: All Done!

All finished. Plug it in and try it out.

Now you have got your own high power 12v supply!
Have fun and enjoy!

Don't forget to rate and comment!

Comments

[CjC]

I must have a different Xbox power supply I have two yellow wires two black wires a white / gray wire a red wire in a blue wire how do I make this work

[BazaVamp]

Just made an account to answer this as i was pulling my hair out too. Might help the next person.
Just connect the white wire with the grounds. So treat it as a black. Now i dont know why, or have any know how on this, just trial and error for a diesel heater. But thats what got it for me. Yellows are live, Black is Nutral, Red and Blue tell the block its powered so join them together to trick it, and then the white that I joined to the black.
Props to this guy for helping me out.

[JamesA41]

"Typically for Xbox related power supplies, you need to tie PS_ON to the 5V standby rail. You could do directly, but I would use a 1kΩ resistor just in case." You can also wire a switch between Blue and Red in theory. See the link below for the reference to the above quote and images.

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/22...

[donjuanjanow]

You didn't answer the question at all. I have the same one. What to do with the white wire?

[cyberraxx]

Im part of a charity and your guide came in handy for our CCTV system I'm rebuilding. Some of the cameras run on 12v and a few on 5v. We had a donation of xbox pads, AV cables and a large box of xbox PSUs. Instead of having to buy various PSUs, with your guide we're now reusing the PSUs for the cameras which has cut our costs considerably.

[Project_Mayhem]

Awesome job, bro! Your project immensely helped me out with repurposing an old charger into one for my motorcycle battery. THANKS!

[SanaullahK5]

Sir I Have A Qastion I Have A Microsoft AC Adapter DPSN-168CB A
my adpter promblem this
i Running A 12 volt Fan its working but its problem
when i run The Fan its working!
but i dont net fan In Cool weather i shut off a Fan Swith Then The Adpter Automatically Off and Red light indicatid
When I Turn on The Fan Then Now Fan Is not Working redlight indicating
How to solwe This problelm???
Plz Tell me

[Jurycooldude]

Hi how's u great bit of info but will this work for an Xbox one many thx Brad

[stulew]

Thank you very much for this helpful information; I successfully used the XBOX powersupply to run a PicoPSU ATX adapter for a compact PC setup. The PicoPSU needs 12 volt input only and runs up to 150 watts. ie, http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/it.A/id.417/.f or you can find these on e bay.

[MustaphaM9]

i want to convert the xbo 360 ps u into a ballast for a grow light for tomatoes how do I put a 3 pin kettle lead on the end of the ps u lead that goes in the back of the xbox please help email me [e-mail]

[MustaphaM9]

Hi could it be possible to turn my xbo x power supply too put another 3 pin socket (English kettle plug on the end where it goes into xbo x is it possible anchor please many thanks indeed poses email me azap

[nic.bryan.73]

Thank you for this instructable. I personally used it to power up a peltier-module based mini-fridge unit.

[kl5l.hamradio]

Thanks man, very useful. I just wired up a 175watt version as a power supply for a 2-meter 100w mobile radio.

[JayE44]

Which wire is Plus and Which is Minus ? Thaks for your great contrebution

[brickbreaker]

Thanks, saved me time.

[ClintD10]

could I wire 2 of these in series?

[Noaha1]

note: if you are making a 3d printer this is much easier to understand than some other instructions online

[dang.artman]

Nice tutorial. The only thing I'm going to change on mine, is to hook the red and blue wires to a button or a switch so I can turn it off and on without having to unplug it.

[tvarhol]

Is the blue wire just like the remote wire on a deck?

[SimonK48]

I have the 8 wire version, just bought it in a junk sale. Okay so I can put a switch between red and black to turn it on and off. If I want a 5v rail I tap the red wire and use the black as the ground for it?