wiring 2 PSUs togather

**04scooby** · 03-06-2005, 04:36 PM

Is it possible to wire another PSU with an Opus 150W.

I am wanting to basically have the Opus handle all the startup and shut procedures but wire another low Watt PSU in for powering my video card and extras. I know it sounds confusing but ATm this is the best way I can describe what I am wanting to do.

**Mike_t_44** · 03-06-2005, 05:19 PM

I know at http://www.carnetix.com they are working on something like what you are looking for but as for the opus im not sure.

**Bugbyte** · 03-06-2005, 05:34 PM

I'm not an electrical engineer but I think with that kind of power, you'd have to have some kind of load-balancing electronics in the mix.

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-06-2005, 06:07 PM

yup it is easy. but i would not have the opus triggering a relay to supply power to the other psu as there will be a delay while the power stabilises. I would set the other PSU to come on whent he ign comes on (like the opus) - use one relaly to do this (powered by the ign) and then use a relay off the opus to supply a parrallel input supply so when the ign goes off the secondary psu doesnt turn off untill the opus does.

YOu might get away without the relay off the ign but i would not like to risk the PC bios comign up and the video card not having powered up properly but it would be worth a try i guess.

EDIT: even simpler - use one relay powered by the opus 12V and the ign 12V using diodes to protect the opus from the IGN and the IGN from the opus (or you will get a +ve feedback loop and the PC will never shutdown)

**Scouse Monkey** · 03-06-2005, 06:10 PM

I presume your video card has a separate power input. sounds a bit power hungry if it does.

**04scooby** · 03-06-2005, 07:25 PM

I was thinking something like this, that way the Opus and this would share the same power source.
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...df955a684f4edd

and then hook both into the same ATX connection.
http://www.pc-mod.com/articles/atx/atx5.jpg

that way they both power on at the same time.

**MikeH** · 03-06-2005, 09:33 PM

04scooby,

Are you just sharing the POWER INPUT (ie Battery) to both the Opus and the P1280? If so, I don't see anything wrong with the concept. However, if you are trying to combine the POWER OUTPUT of both units, I would NOT suggest trying this. Power combining, or load sharing, takes a fairly sophisticated circuit that has power conrtrol over one or both PSUs. I know the P1280 does not have this ability (by itself), but I cannot speak for the Opus. My guess is that it does not.

If you just want to use the Opus and the P1280 in the same system powering different components, then yes, your idea will work. You could connect the Ignition to both the Opus and the P1280 and let the Opus control you mobo. Just don't connect the startup/shutdown controller output from the P1280 to anything. The startup and shutdown delays won't be synchronized, but I'm not sure that will matter if you're just powering you video card fromt the P1280.

Does this answer your question?

**04scooby** · 03-06-2005, 11:01 PM

yes, My video card is a 9800pro so it is very power hungry. I only plan on sharing the power souce not combining the power output. Good to know it would work. My next question is how would I do it with a standard AC power supply as the secondary? Get a inverter and do everything else the same?