[sdiy] Converting Computer Power Supplies

[David Halliday]

Switching power supplies aren't good for audio work.  In addition, if you
are using the supply by itself, it will need to get a "power good" signal
coming in before it will work.  If you are using the supply that is already
in an existing PC, the circuitry in the PC is going to add even *more* noise
to the power.

Your best bet is to get a good stand-alone linear ( not switching )
regulated power supply.  These can be a bit expensive ( $30 - $70 ) range
but they are almost impossible to damage ( the circuitry is protected ) and
they will last forever.  This should be classed in the same category as a
good soldering iron and some decent hand tools.

Check http://www.blacet.com/tech.html ( bottom of page ) for some tips on
building your own and check out http://www.users.qwest.net/~daveb2/ps.htm
for info on commercial units.


It is possible to build a power supply but unless you are comfortable with
paying yourself about $2/hour, it is usually cheaper ( and less of a
headache ) to bite the bullet and buy one.  Do you want some kludge hack-job
to go belly up a year from now and take all of your precious modules with
it?  <grin>




-> -----Original Message-----
-> From: owner-synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
-> [mailto:owner-synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl]On Behalf Of
-> Grant L. Muller
-> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 10:17 AM
-> To: synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
-> Subject: [sdiy] Converting Computer Power Supplies
->
->
->
->
-> 	Hi, I just finished a couple of small effects projects
-> (my first ones, they
-> turned out great and I only burned myself with the soldering
-> iron once,
-> Yeah!), and was thinking to myself, "these are gonna need
-> some power other
-> than 9 volt batteries", so I decided iot would probably be
-> easy to convert
-> my computer power supply over as one, since it puts out
-> enough power. The
-> only problem is, I don't know which pin is which on those molex 4-pin
-> connectors. So, if anyone has done this before, and could
-> let me know the
-> easiest way to do this, or if you simply know what the
-> pin-out is on these
-> things, that would be great. Thanks!
->
->
-> Sincerely,
-> Grant "Now-addicted-to-DIY" Muller
->