2 PSU's - one box, and a switch. is this possible ?

**Heymish** · 07-06-2004, 09:38 PM

Hey guys

I havent seen anyone post about this before, and if i have missed a similair thread, then feel free to remove this one and direct me to it.

Anyway, here is the idea I have, and im wondering how feasible it actually is.
I get the standard Mini-ITX box, but I want this to multi-purpose, so I can justify spending the money on it.

What I want is to have two PSU's, one car PSU like the OPUS 90W, and one regular PSU for use indoors on standard power. Now is it possible/feasible to have a switch system going on, where the power leads from each PSU go into a seperate unit, which in turn plugs into the components and provides me with a switch between each PSU?

I've got a fairly good understanding of hardware, and I think this could be done, but may require some electronic knowledge that i dont have to make this work.

Is this a plausible idea, or should i just be satsified to swap power leads every time i want to bring the box inside and use it as a jukebox/movie player.

Any thoughts would be very useful.

**archimense** · 07-06-2004, 09:47 PM

I would go for an OPUS and then get something like a laptop power supply that plugs into AC and provides the correct DC for the OPUS.

**Heymish** · 07-06-2004, 09:59 PM

hmmm, that sounds like a much more feasible idea than my complex plans.
Thanks for the idea

**EBFoxbat** · 07-06-2004, 10:21 PM

What for?

**Heymish** · 07-06-2004, 10:25 PM

so I can use my mini-itx box in my car, and also inside as like a media jukebox if need be. Im just thinking ahead.

**d_sellers1** · 07-06-2004, 10:30 PM

I'm no electrical engineer but I would figure on wiring both PSUs to an ATX connector that plugs into the board. Then the power connector wired to a two-position switch. Position 1 for PSU1; Position 2 for PSU2. You push the power switch and the appropriate PSU will turn on (eg., ignition for PSU1; pushbutton for PSU2).

WARNING: I would not under ANY circumstances switch from one powersupply to the other while the system is running. Also not sure of any issues that may come along with the OPUS. (With the ignition off then the OPUS should not push power out the other side...)

Derek

**Aftaab001** · 07-06-2004, 11:16 PM

i've done somehing like this but used a normal 300w psu for indoor and opus for car use i bridged the power switch jumper for the opus auto switch and the power button on the case.....also i bridged a second jumper, the reset switch, one for the button reset on the case and one running to a push to make switch near the driver console (Just in case of freeze..so i dont need to switch IGn Off then On again!!!I'll post pics tomorrow....

**Zip-Lock** · 07-07-2004, 12:49 AM

Just like the others are saying. Use the OPUS and then indoors use an old AT power supply for it's 12V. That's what I do.

**Heymish** · 07-07-2004, 02:38 AM

thanks a lot for the advice guys, I'll be sure to check out each one and see which is the best one for my project. Im liking the Carnetix idea currently, but I havent really looked into it much yet.

Plenty of time for planning ahead