Power M2-ATX in the house

**zoned019** · 06-25-2010, 12:23 AM

Okay, I know there are a lot of threads covering this, but none of them have answered my question.

I want to make an AC-DC adapter to power my Carputer in the house. I have a bunch of power bricks, all the ones I've tested don't seem to have enough juice to boot the thing. The fan spins up, and it dies. I assume this is because the power supply fills the capacitors, the caps dump and the board tries to fire, but the power supply simply does not have enough amperage to keep the board running.

So, that being said, how many amps do I need to run the M2-ATX? I'm assuming it would be 10A because that would be the equivalent of a 120W PC power supply, but I was just wondering if I can get away with anything less, since I don't have any 10A power bricks around here. I'm thinking an Xbox 360 power brick would do it? Can anyone think of a cheaper alternative? Or is there a better way?

thanks!

**Superduck** · 06-25-2010, 01:13 AM

The easiest way is to use a regular ATX power supply.

There's a couple of threads on here and tons more elsewhere that show how to power up the Power Supply. Then you just connect the hard drive connector to the M2. ACC and PWR go to the yellow PS wire (+12v) and ground to either black wire. Don't forget, the red wire in ATX supplies is +5v which won't do you much good unless you need USB power.

Cheers,

Kris

P.S. Without actually looking it up, I think it's Pin 13 and Pin 14. I know for sure it's the green wire that you have to connect to any of the black wires to jumper it into starting. I've got one here that I used to power my M2 and for some reason, I jumpered another pair of wires. Someone somewhere must have mentioned it. Might just be the sense wire.

**DarquePervert** · 06-25-2010, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by Superduck

P.S. Without actually looking it up, I think it's Pin 13 and Pin 14. I know for sure it's the green wire that you have to connect to any of the black wires to jumper it into starting.

It is pins 13 & 14.
But I wouldn't go by wire color. Some PSUs don't use "standard" wire colors. Always go by the pin assignments.