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Power Supply help....please!

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:35 pm
by joeyc
Okay this is for the nerds, cause I'm not one and I don't know! lol Anyways, I'm trying to use a computer power supply to power a small amp. I read up a little online and I see some people saying that you have to show the +5v a load to stabilize the +12v. I also jumpered the ps on wire, at which point the power supply turned on. When I hooked the power to the amp and flipped the ps on, it turned on the amp for a couple seconds then the ps shut off. I then tried loading the +5v with some big resistors, same result except I had some really hot resistors! Anybody have any insight on this? Its an antec neo 480w I believe. Do I need to show the +5v more load? Someone paweeeeese help me!

TIA

Joey

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:04 pm
by William from NOLA
Find a computer fan to run off the 5 volt.

Just make sure you are jumping the right wire

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:35 am
by GlassWolf
that 480 watt rating is for all of the voltage rails combined. your 12 volt rail is probably only about 15-20A.

also, great way to start a fire. computer supplies aren't designed for sustained high current use

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:38 am
by Bwcad1
the amp hes running is only 25w X 2

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:40 am
by CaptainPioneer
i blew up a computer supply once... it was lots of fun! Made a pretty green flame too!

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:00 am
by joeyc
lol yeah glass, I knew it wasn't 480w to just the 12v! 18amps is what is puts out at 12v, and 38amps at 5v....darnit :p