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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: krick on June 23, 2004, 02:39:45 am

Title: A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: krick on June 23, 2004, 02:39:45 am
I found this article and thought it was a really slick solution to a common problem.  Check it out..
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/76/ (http://www.bit-tech.net/article/76/)

Here's a pic of the finished product to whet your appetite...
(http://www.bit-tech.net/images/article/76/10.jpg)

Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: JustMichael on June 23, 2004, 10:51:54 am
The biggest problem with that I see is that the 5V and the 12V connections are the same physically.  What I mean is it looks like you could plug a homemade 5V device into the 12V by mistake when reaching behind the computer.  How many of you have plugged your speakers into the wrong hole when reaching behind the computer?
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: Hoagie_one on June 23, 2004, 11:12:43 am
minor problem.

looks good to e
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: mp2526 on June 23, 2004, 11:16:10 am
The biggest problem with that I see is that the 5V and the 12V connections are the same physically.  What I mean is it looks like you could plug a homemade 5V device into the 12V by mistake when reaching behind the computer.  How many of you have plugged your speakers into the wrong hole when reaching behind the computer?

easily solved by using an 1/8" phono plug for the 12 volt or vice versa
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: krick on June 23, 2004, 11:19:14 am
The biggest problem with that I see is that the 5V and the 12V connections are the same physically.  What I mean is it looks like you could plug a homemade 5V device into the 12V by mistake when reaching behind the computer.  How many of you have plugged your speakers into the wrong hole when reaching behind the computer?

easily solved by using an 1/8" phono plug for the 12 volt or vice versa

You should never use phono plugs for power.  The way the contacts work internally, they short out as you plug it in.
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: mp2526 on June 23, 2004, 11:27:13 am
True, but I have seen it done before in consumer products, but they may have had some system to prevent damage.  Better yet, just use different size DC connectors like 5.5mm for 12 volt and 3.4 for 5 volt
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: Ghoward on June 23, 2004, 11:28:56 am
Just run wire into your case and plug it in to one of the pc's psu plugs it looks just as  good as this and your using the right plugs for the job!!

Gary
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: mp2526 on June 23, 2004, 11:30:30 am
Just run wire into your case and plug it in to one of the pc's psu plugs it looks just as  good as this and your using the right plugs for the job!!

Gary

But the whole idea is to not have to continually open the case to get to the PSU connectors, and I would say that this looks cleaner than having wires running out of your case.  Not a problem if you don't have a cover on the case.
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: blue on June 23, 2004, 11:47:20 am
This is a really cool idea!
I was going to be working on something similar but use USB cables and a USB hub. Feeding off the power the USB provides.

Inside a USB cable there are two wires for power -- +5 volts (a red one) and ground (a brown). There are 2 other (i believe) for carrying the data.
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: Ghoward on June 23, 2004, 01:30:38 pm
Just run wire into your case and plug it in to one of the pc's psu plugs it looks just as  good as this and your using the right plugs for the job!!

Gary

But the whole idea is to not have to continually open the case to get to the PSU connectors, and I would say that this looks cleaner than having wires running out of your case.  Not a problem if you don't have a cover on the case.



Do don't have to leave the cover off you just remove one of the covers at the back of the pc where a pci card would go.

Gary
Title: Re:A really slick way to get PC power outside the PC
Post by: mp2526 on June 23, 2004, 01:54:33 pm


Do don't have to leave the cover off you just remove one of the covers at the back of the pc where a pci card would go.

Gary

Still think that this is much cleaner looking