Some newer PC power supplies now have up to 4 separate 12V rails. The total power is stated at up to 60 Amps at 12V total for an average 650W or 750W PSU.
If I was to need a single 60Amp channel, would it be OK to connect all of the separate 12V channels together?
Before you mention it, I understand the limitations of a PC power supply, in that it needs a load to start properly, and needs a pretty good load on the
5V supply to regulate well.
If they are truely 4 seperate rails it's probably not the brightest idea to just join them all together. 60A at 12V does seem like an awful lot and I assume you are not going to be drawing large currents like that continuously. Is it possible to use a 12V battery and charging arrangment? Does the 12V have to prescisely regulated?
Simple load sharing using resistors might work to an extent but it would get a little warm :)
James
About a year ago Elektor magazine in the UK published a project to convert a PC PSU for low voltage halogen lighting, but it involved re-winding the transformer and some changes to the PCB.
Much simpler (and not a lot more expensive) to simply buy a purpose designed unit:
Dave.
I suggest you read the label again, I think you will find the 12v output limited to a much lower level current. I dont know the output current of the 650 0r 750W, but I just looked at the figures for a 400 watt supply
12v output is limited to 17 Amps, it is the 5v and 3.3volt outputs that have the higher current output 28 and 20 amps respectively.Laurie
total
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I could be wrong, but I believe four 15A rails is actually less per rail than one 17A rail. Whether they can really manage 15A on all 4 rails at the same time is another matter since that would be above the rating of a 650W supply, not including any other voltage rails!
*Maybe* with a 750W supply. However you can't simply connect them together, as the OP wants, in any case.MrT.
I think you may have it the wrong way around, are you use 60amp is 12V and not the 5V. If you can actually draw 60amp at 12V the supply would have to be at least 1200W once you add the 5V and 3.3V.
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