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Every hobbyist needs one of these; an ATX power supply made into an inexpensive ben top power supply. Capable of supplying a number of voltages, this simple project will be a center piece for any do-it-yourselfist needing a solution to their power needs in testing and fabricating other projects.

On a standard ATX power supply, the PS_ON pin can be identified by the green wire, number 16. When a computer is turned on, this pin is tied low and gives the PSU a signal to turn on its main voltages. Prior to activating the main voltages, pin 9 being +5VSB and purple, provides a constant +5VDC as a standby voltage and can be capable of delivering an amp or more while main voltage is off. It may be useful as an indicator of AC power or an always-on supply for small loads. Other voltages provided include +3.3, +5 main, +12, -12, and -5. Combining these will yield various other voltages that can be calculated by absolute potential.- ted

I got cheated on a poor motherboard that used up a new C2032 battery every month. Coincidentally my next door neighbor is a phone surveyor and one of her company’s contracts was dealing with the a motherboard that ate the CMOS battery. It wasn’t a defective item, it was a defective model. I later found this mobo was sold on the internet for $15.

So I miked a used C2032 battery and found the big side of it is the same size as a penny. The small side is the same size as a dime. I found (somewhere) 2 washers that size. I drilled them with a 1/16″ hole each. I soldered on wires, red for positive and black for negative. There is a “+” on a C2032 battery so check yourself carefully. Note for anyone who wants to solder on a penny. They are copper plated zinc now and melt very easily.

I cut a disk of paper and superglued it to the penny-sized washer. Then I superglued the dime-sized washer on top.

Then I went to Radio Shack and got a battery holder for 2 D cells. I soldered the correct color coded wires to the battery holder. Remember that the outside of a battery is negative and the nipple at the center is positive. It is marked on a lot of battery packages.

Then I took a couple big sheet metal screws. At the back of a computer are the peripheral slots and filler plates for unused slots. Because so much is done by onboard chips nowadays there are always extra slots. I drilled thru the back of the battery holder into a filler plate and screwed it on. I ran the wires and the washer assembly back into the computer and plugged it into the CMOS socket. I put in 2 alkaline D cells. I taped over the batteries to keep them in the unit because they are none too secure.

I’ve only had to change my D cell CMOS batteries once in 3 years. And when I did I didn’t have to open the computer’s case.

Ok most people have heard of the robot wars show.. Robots verse each other with weapons mounted upon them to destroy the other robot >: ).. its so EVIL!!!!!!! (more…)

Hello,

Currently I am in progress of gathering components and doing research for my upcoming project, M.O.R.T.Y. M.O.R.T.Y Is going to be a personal servant style robot that will roam around my house possibly making things easier for me, or just get in my way. (more…)