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12vDC -> ATX power converter

M

mrchaotica

Junior Member
I am building a small-form-factor computer (using an Epia M), and I want to have as small a power supply as possible. Right now it's running of a normal microATX PSU, but I would like to have a DC/DC power converter like is used in (I guess) laptops and some mini-itx cases, where I would have an external power brick supplying 12v to the converter, which would output the 12v. 5v. -5v, etc as well as have the ATX power on/off and whatnot... Does anyone have a suggestion on where to find one of these or how I could wire one up myself? I'm pretty sure I could figure out how to step down the voltage and all, but I don't know how the power on/off control works.
 
do a search for car mp3 computers on google, ppl were doing this so they didn't have to use power converters in their cars w/ normal psu's. so that might be a good place to start.

or check out 1u rack systems, see what they use.
 
The problems are going to be
a) getting a -5V rail
b) getting a 12V DC -> 5V DC converter which will supply 20A or so
c) getting a 12V DC - 3.3V DC converter.

The fundamental problem is that DC voltage attentuators produce little current and a lot of heat. To get that much current you're going to need serious hardware. It would actually be easier to use a step-down transformer on an AC signal then rectify that to get your voltage.
 
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