Troubleshooting 150W Opus (turns off after 20-30 mins)

[iG] · 05-30-2004, 12:23 AM

From the start:

1) All original testing was done on a normal atx power supply with no problems.

2) Once i recieved the OPUS i installed that and powered it through 12V / 150W AC/DC supply. Ever since that was done my computer would work for about 25-35 minutes and just turn off (not through a shutdown sequence), it just cuts off the power. Naturally, having faith in the opus and after reading the spec on my AC/DC I figured the overload circuit was the cause on my AC/DC. All I would have to do, is cycle the ac power and it came right back up with no problems, but the problem persisted.

3) I was pretty unimpressed that after i installed the computer in my car I ran into the same problem. After checking all connections a dozen of times I turned back to the OPUS spec.

After the power cuts off the opus enters the 4 flash sequence...

Taken right from opus spec:
1) Wiring of the power switch is correct. After all it turns on/off fine in the period > 30 mins.
2) ATX motherboard settings > Set to S3 with all powerdowns etc. (EPIA MII)
3) ACPI enabled
4) ACPI enabled in XP
5) Application compatible with ACPI? I guess so.
6) Locked up mobo > works fine with direct ATX ps.
7) Faulty Opus > I hope not, but i have a feeling it is.

Few more things:

I am powering my Lilliput through the 12V line on the opus. (About 9W right?) So the 10A max on the 12V line shouldnt cause any problems.

I am also running my usb hub through the 5V line from the opus. However i just realized today that there is a separate 5V standby line (1 Amp) and a +5V line (10A). I dont think that this would be the problem, but I'm going to test it in a second.

Any thoughts? I sure hope it's not the opus. I've waited a long time for it!

[iG] · 05-30-2004, 10:26 AM

Just tested it with everything but power to mobo and hdd, same thing. Ahh!

god_of_cpu · 05-30-2004, 11:33 AM

I had a similar problem, the computer would just power off at random intervals, I thought it was power too, but it was heat. As soon as I upgraded my CPU fan to a very high-RPM one and glued a heat sink to my onboard GeForce it started working great.

[iG] · 05-30-2004, 03:01 PM

I just did a few test runs.. left it in bios and just monitored the cpu temp. It idles around 43C (Epia MII), all voltages are steady. 30 minutes, and it dies. I'm doing all kind of combinations with my hardware to check that it's not something i'm running thats causing this.

So far all tests led to one answer.. seems like it's the opus

But why always after approximately same period of time? It does sound like a heat issue, as if something overloads and a protection circuit switches on and cuts the power. :|

Supermike · 06-01-2004, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the info, I was about to order the OPUS 150W PSU, but am going wait and do some more research. Please let us know if this gets resolved.

I was also going to suggest that you try a normal PSU, but it appears that you did that already. Have you tried powering another motherboard with the OPUS to see if it runs stable?

I know that everything points to the PSU, but if it does the same thing on a different mobo, then it has to be the OPUS. If that is the case, it would be helpful for the other members considering this PSU if you post on what OPUS says.

[iG] · 06-01-2004, 09:20 PM

Actually, I just spoke to Chris at opus earlier today and it seems that we figured out what the problem is. The way i setup my system is i ran a momentary switch right from the motherboard ( i figured opus could cope with that). Now, after talking to chris it seems like the opus has to be connected to the motherboard (green - negative). Which makes sense after looking at some of my test results (if i restarted my computer at about 20 minute mark before it shut down, it would work fine for another 30 mins) So.. As chris told me, when opus cant find the cable connected to the mboard it just powers off.

I cant say for sure this works because I havent tested it yet and dont have the cable handy at the moment, I'll fab one tomorrow and see how it goes.

eatyummypuppies · 06-01-2004, 10:12 PM

I had a similar problem, or rather, a different problem caused by similar thinking. Damn Kris knows his **** doesn't he? I sent him candy with my last Opus RMA.

[iG] · 06-03-2004, 07:58 AM

Yep, that solved it. Works great now.

Supermike · 06-05-2004, 10:13 AM

Cool, I'm glad it worked out - cause I am buying one today :-D

Also cool to see that Opus has good support.