Your latest 3D design/redesign or print.

[BobL]

Nice job ST.

I did a cut down version using a $15 ATX fused Benchtop PC Power Breakout Module Adapter

This one (not mine) comes with a USB 5V Port

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/32545715...3ABFBM1oPAuoti

Its attached by 4 screws and a bit of Al plate direct to the ATX case.
ATX3.jpg

I 3D printed the black PLA box to attach to the underside to isolate the connections.
ATX1.jpg

To keep the thing running I added these gold finned power resistors as a pseudo load across the 12V output..
ATX2.jpg

[Stustoys]

Hi Bob,

Thanks.
Wow that would have saved a lot of messing about!
I did toy with using one of those connectors in the wiring as changing the ATX over if it dies would be a major pain on mine as I've used most the wires. It would likely be easier to move the wiring at the ATX pcb.

You need a load on the 12V? Interesting. I've used an ATX supply in the past that needed a load on the 5V but for some reason this supply doesn't seem to need a load to stay on.

[BaronJ]

Hi Guys,

Most of the more modern ATX power supplies don't need any ballast resistors !

In the earlier days a ballast resistor was needed on the 5 volt rail in particular because the 5 volts was used to regulate the other voltage rails and the ballast resistor supplied a minimum load current. A number of ballast load resistors were supplied in steel enclosures that had a plug fitted so that one of the power supply leads could be used to connect to it and attach it to the circuit. Half and amp was the commonly used load current on both the 5 & 12 volt rails.

Note that this was all pre 3.3 volt supplies.

[BobL]

Hi Bob,

Thanks.
Wow that would have saved a lot of messing about!
I did toy with using one of those connectors in the wiring as changing the ATX over if it dies would be a major pain on mine as I've used most the wires. It would likely be easier to move the wiring at the ATX pcb.

You need a load on the 12V? Interesting. I've used an ATX supply in the past that needed a load on the 5V but for some reason this supply doesn't seem to need a load to stay on.

It could have been the 5V line - I don't remember.
I think the newer boards come with am integral load resistor.
I should have added the PS had a heap of other wires attached to it which I cut off inside the PS and covered I the ends of the wires with heat shrink.

I already have several DC PS on my bench so I have never used the modded ATX unit.

[Stustoys]

Thanks guys, that explains things.

I just used all the wires to save me pulling the PCB from the PS.(thought there is the whole "more betterer" thing lol) Your idea would have been much easier.

My "bench supply"(wow that's talking it up) to this point is just one of those Chinese solder stations 0-15V 1A. It had a fault which is what prompted me to put this thing together. Turned it on one day and everything just flashed -- and the blower for the hot air started. Turned it off and on, same. Same the next day, the day after it was "fixed" and has been fine ever since(2 months or so I guess). I guess its a micro controller that just had a bad day???

[BobL]

My main bench supply is also one of those Chinese soldering stations (iron, hot air blower and PS). It's rated at 30V at 5A, but that's provided the soldering iron or hot air blower are not working - if they kicking while drawing 5A the max current drops.

My other PS is 20V at 3A but it struggles when used for too long above 2A.

My electrolysis/electroplating PS is 5A at 6V. The externally exposed rectifiers get quite hot when supplying over 3A so rigged a 5V computer fan thtoat cool them dow that works pretty well. I also have a couple of other ATX based PS that I use for the same purpose.

[NedsHead]

My electrolysis/electroplating PS is 5A at 6V. The externally exposed rectifiers get quite hot when supplying over 3A so rigged a 5V computer fan thtoat cool them dow that works pretty well. I also have a couple of other ATX based PS that I use for the same purpose.

I use one of these modules coupled to a 12V supply for my electroplating/electrolysis experiments, it gives me control of amps (up to 5) and volts. As cell chemistry changes during the process it won't go above the predetermined amperage.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/26522276...Cclp%3A2047675

[Stustoys]

I got this so I have a current limited supply so if it ever becomes necessary I can try out "rosin vapour short circuit finder" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbC6pdp3PKQ

[Stustoys]

The sliding gate valves I used on my downpipe system seem to "set" after they have been sitting awhile so I printed up these little ramps to get them moving without having heave on them.

And some "plates" to bolt them together to stiffen things up a little.