Thread: AT/ATX DC-DC Big Cahoona Power Supply Plans.

wow another newbie that thinks he can change the world

imo why reinvent the wheel you can buy a 200w dc-dc and you get this magical thing called a warantee

anyway thats my 2.2c (inc gst)

cheers
pcman

Newbie?? Well I guess so, if you are only taking into account my join date on these forums . I have been designing and building various electronic circuits for 10 years, developing software for 8 years, and providing end-user support in an IT environment for 5 years.

But seriously, what I am trying to do, is:

1. Build a supply, that will handle the existing and future PC requirements.
2. Provide additional functionality which doesn't already exist in current products (ie, multiple power controls, outputs to drive other equipment such as TFT style LCD's).
3. Provide a circuit that could be built as a 100W supply today, and upgraded by changing the main power driver components down the track as requirements increase.
4. Lastly, get the satisfaction from designing and building the entire system myself.

As a final point, I agree that if all I required was already in existance (as there are for DC-DC 200W PC supplies), then it would be smart to use them.

Regards
Brian.

i think this thing sounds great.. one thing with redy made dc-dc's is cost the next is that what u get is how it stays... how many ppl buy a pc that can't be upgraded?? ... i hope u keep us posted on updates.. sounds verry interesting..

Originally posted by TDMP3
i think this thing sounds great.. one thing with redy made dc-dc's is cost the next is that what u get is how it stays... how many ppl buy a pc that can't be upgraded?? ... i hope u keep us posted on updates.. sounds verry interesting..

TDMP3,

Absolutely couldn't agree more. I am currently doing the initial specifications and design work. Yes, I will keep everyone informed as to how it is going.

Brian.

Are you thinking of selling the plans or submitting them to a manufacturer or what? I guess my question is, once you do come up with the plans how can us non-technical people obtain one of these? Can you estimate on a possible price range?

Originally posted by Duphus
Are you thinking of selling the plans or submitting them to a manufacturer or what? I guess my question is, once you do come up with the plans how can us non-technical people obtain one of these? Can you estimate on a possible price range?

Duphus,

I won't be selling the schematics/pcb designs, however they will be copyrighted. I will be providing them free to the internet community.

I guess the only way for a non-technical person to get one is exactly the same as for other PSU designs (eg Sproggy), and that is to talk nicely to a friend that has the appropriate skills or get the creator to build you one (me).

How many watts?? At this stage I am only designing the circuit, however once I get a valid proven circuit I will put together a Parts List, a Price (both as parts, and also pre-built). Although at this point in time I believe that I should be able to get the parts below $200US for a 425W supply.

Regards
Brian

Originally posted by THEMP3KID
400BUCKS AUSTRALIAN!!!!!!!!! My AC-DC-DC design should be able to handle 300watts output, and it should only cost 100bucks Australian in parts.. :P whats so special about yours???

I said $200US based on the high current version of the supply (see below for max specs), in all reality, I have the belief that it will be a lot lower.

The Maximum output from the unit will be as follows (Please note that the specs listed here may alter slightly due to component values and availability).

+3.3V 40A
+5.0V 40A
+12.0V 15A
-5.0V 0.3A
-12.0v 1A
+5.0Vsb 2A

And hey presto, a 535.5W output DC-DC power supply. However the lower wattage supplies will have a lower cost, purely because the power train doesn't require as beefier components.

Now if these figures were ever reached by a motherboard, there are some very serious issues to look at, just at the PCB level, let-alone how many amps can one really draw from the car system (even with a second battery).

Now for features, It will have 3 different inputs for powering on and off (ATX Signalling, +12 for things like IGN switching, and a GND for using a single switch in the dash somewhere), it will also have full shutdown capabilities. Let's say you have your system setup to power up with the car IGN (ie ACC), the power supply will automatically press the power button for you (electronically of course), then once the IGN drops for more than x seconds, it will power down the machine. I suppose it's really just a startup/shutdown controller.