Hooking stuff up to a power supply..

[crashdmj]

What do I need to hook up 4 P360s and coin door lights to a power supply? Like what cords or connectors? I am clueless.
derek

[TalkingOctopus]

I just clipped spare connectors off the power supplies wire and attached the ps wires to the 360 wires.  The red 360 goes to the red ps and the black 360 goes to the black ps.  

If you don't want to clip off the spare connectors, (I left plenty of room so I could reattach them if I need to),  You could probably buy some connectors at radio shack and then clip those instead, leaving your power supply intact.

[crashdmj]

Are you talking about the connectors with like one red, two blacks and one yellow wire? What do I do with the yellow wire and spare black one?
Derek

[Mike]

I just clipped the ends of a power supply splitter. This is what i used http://www.cnetpc.com/productinfo.asp?item=CA-5YA I didn't buy them from this place just typed a quick search into google to show you what they are. Could probably find them for 30 cents some place else.

[TalkingOctopus]

Are you talking about the connectors with like one red, two blacks and one yellow wire? What do I do with the yellow wire and spare black one?
Derek

Yeah that is what I am talking about.  The yellow and black can just be capped so there is no exposed wire and left unused.

[Homebrew]

Those are called molex connectors.  Ironically though, most times its not actually molex brand.  Here's links to what you need to hook into the PSU.  

http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=1559&cgrfnbr=501&ctgys=

http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=1583&cgrfnbr=501&ctgys=

FYI, though i think you already have it figured out, here's the breakdown of the wires:
Yellow = 12v
Red = 5v
Black wires = grounds (obviously)

Hopes this helps.

-Kevin

[crashdmj]

So if I get a Y-connector one, I can use two P360's per one (I just cut the wires off, use one red and one black and just scrap the rest?). When would one need the yellow wire?
Derek

[TalkingOctopus]

When you have something that needs 12 volts.

Red = 5 volts
Yellow = 12 volts

The p360's need 5 volts.

My coindoor lights need 12 volts, so they used the yellow.

[crashdmj]

Ok couple more questions (please bear with me, I am pretty naive when it comes to these sorts of things).

How many Y-cables can fit into a power supply?
Can I do something like this: (Split each end of the cable to be for a light and a P360....and because it is a Y-cable I could do it twice)

Overall I would only need 2 Y-cables right? (4 P360s and 4 coin door lights).
Derek

[Cisco Kid]

for looks only ... just make a cable with a 4-pin molex (PC) connector and leave the other end bare. (just use two wires instead of the normal four ... one for the yellow and one for ground)

... then use female fully insulated quick disconnects and make the necessary connections.

just like you wired the grounds on your buttons and joysticks .... daisey chain them ... all the yellows to the 12V items .... well you get the point .... and every device just loves a ground  

or if this is easy to understand ... just make a daisey chain for your 12V leads ... and one for the grounds ... then attach the 12V chain to the 12V line coming from the PSU and the same goes for the ground.

if I only owned a digital camara ... hehe ... I'd post step by step pictures pictures because I'm a computer builder by trade and have tons of this stuff to demonstrate with  

[crashdmj]

Well let's just say for the sake of me already having a pre-made Y-cable, can I do what I stated above? Thanks
Derek