Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

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iam123

Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by iam123 »

Hi,
I really enjoy your experience.
I have a Q about the resistor
What is the power of the resistor? is it 1/4watt or something else?
Because when I try to buy the variable resistor I found many types with diffrent power.
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Ashtec
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Ashtec »

Beakster wrote:I have some old microwave transformers I used to make a welder. I'm thinking wrapping some power cable around one of them (with the windings removed) might make a nice filter.



Microwave transformers are ideal when playing with valves
mygames

Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by mygames »

jenny1 wrote:Now I know that computer power supply it will be converted to 13.8v for Radio.
really have you done it???
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Deni
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Deni »

I was looking on internet some info about converting PC PSU into 13,8 V, and somewhere I found info that there are some PSU with built in trim pot for regulating 12 V. I was more than happy when I found that I have trim pot in my SmartBox ATX PSU, and now I have a nice PSU form my Radio with 13,8 V & 12 A. There is no problem with noise level, same as clasic 13,8 V PSU with transformer.

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CobraSFX
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by CobraSFX »

Thats good to know, ive made a few of these but wasnt aware you could trim the voltage to suit, good info :)
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Deni
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Deni »

Final, I had time to finish my PSU, isn't it beautiful :D ?

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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by TRON »

Slick! I've done this before as a kind of "get out of jail free card", but didn't put anywhere NEAR this kind of effort into it! As I remember, the power supply had something like 12v output on one of the outputs anyway, so I just used that.

I really like stuff like this.. Good, honest, hacking which produces something really useful and doesn't even cost that much.

Any chance of a write up / pics of your microwave welder? Sounds dangerous.... I like it!
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Arby80 »

That looks awesome, how much would you say that cost all together?
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by MrWeetabix »

Love this....great work! :ugeek:
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Deni
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Deni »

Arby80 wrote:That looks awesome, how much would you say that cost all together?
PSU = £0
Little black box + Female black/red + Ampermeter + Fuse + Switch + Red LED = £10
My hands to put all together = £0

All together working = priceless
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Arby80 »

Deni wrote:
Arby80 wrote:That looks awesome, how much would you say that cost all together?
PSU = £0
Little black box + Female black/red + Ampermeter + Fuse + Switch + Red LED = £10
My hands to put all together = £0

All together working = priceless
lol, I have an 800w PSU lying around doing nothing at the moment, was thinking of turning it into a beast. (60Amps quoted on side)

http://www.ebuyer.com/219545-xenta-800w ... m=products
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Scanners -:- Ubc3300xlt & Ubc9000xlt
CB Radio -:- Midland 278 & Superstar 3900EFT
VHF Radio -:- Jing Tong JT-208
PMR446 -:- Binatone Action 950
SW Receiver -:- Yaesu Frg-7
Working Base Antennas -:- Royal Discone 2000 & Sirio GPS27
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by moggy »

Silly question how hard is it to fit a meter to show ampage i have converted a old server psu according to a us website i got conversion from they use these for making chargers and are rated to 122 amps at 13v output and they are huge psu's from old compaq servers they are fsb 4060 and take a lot less to convert you only need to short 3 wires in the centre piece and connect 2 feed for pos and neg of which im using car audio power cable 4 guage for heavy power feed into 4 way dizzy blocks.
It gives 13.2 volts with no mods and has a loverly silent 250mm ball bearing fan which is very quiet
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by satelitesid »

Many years ago when testing power supplies, I used to load them up with car headlight bulbs. Usually borrowed from scrapyards, normally about 55 watts so roughly 4 amps apeice. Considerably cheaper than a radio, and adds a bit to shack warming.
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by CobraSFX »

I call mine the Blingmeister 4000 lol, will show you a pic when i get around to finishing it.
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Re: Computer Power Supply Converted to 13.8V for Radio

Post by Deni »

moggy wrote:Silly question how hard is it to fit a meter to show ampage i have converted a old server psu according to a us website i got conversion from they use these for making chargers and are rated to 122 amps at 13v output and they are huge psu's from old compaq servers they are fsb 4060 and take a lot less to convert you only need to short 3 wires in the centre piece and connect 2 feed for pos and neg of which im using car audio power cable 4 guage for heavy power feed into 4 way dizzy blocks.
It gives 13.2 volts with no mods and has a loverly silent 250mm ball bearing fan which is very quiet
It is hard enough depending of Your skills to drill holes and connect wires. If You are familiar with tools, than it is a piece of cake!
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