1 Topic by chuddly

  • chuddly
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  • Registered: 2013-07-24
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Topic: Computer power supply

I have seen people use dell server power supplies for their SD's but it seems to be overkill.  I did a little searching on here and came up dry but i was curious if anyone had used a computer power supply?  Say like a 550w one or something?  Should be ok on power plus it has a switch and they are pretty cheap (tigerdirect has some for like $30 right now).  What does the SD3 (in my case) require for power with a stock heated bed?  Just brain storming right now because that power brick that came with my SD3 gets SUPER hot and i wonder if one of these days it wont just give up.

2 Reply by adrian

  • adrian
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  • From: Canberra, Australia
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Re: Computer power supply

It requires 11.5 Amps.

People use the Dells because they are cheap and reliable for the loads we used.. and because of their 'over rating' they are guranteed to run cool and reliably at 50% load...

They are cheaper than ATX due to their niche applications - they are designed for a specific make of server and thus are useless as 'generic' spares unlike 'normal' ATX's, and thus, an ATX can demand actually higher prices....
I'm seeing $7 ebay listings in the US for 350W PSU's.. and in Oz, they can be had for $20+ delivered...

And the moment you consider using an upgraded heat bed, such as a QU-BD or a MK2A PCB.. either of those choices will require an *additional* ~10amp's (can be from 9-13 depending on the specifics...)...  At which point, delivering some 20Amps, a 30A PSU is no longer 'over rated' for the task and would be what I'd consider the 'wise choice' (if following standard rules of thumbs that say you shouldn't run a PSU at >80% load for longevity... )

3 Reply by Hazer

  • Hazer
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  • Registered: 2013-07-19
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Re: Computer power supply

Other printrboard motherboards have the 4-pin ATX plug for power. I use an Antec 550W PSU right now. What ytou need to know is that the stock SD3 power supply (assuming printrboard, not sanguino) is rated for 12.5 Amps. A PC PSU may be rated for high wattage, but it spreads it across 12V, 5V, and 3V busses. Make sure the power supply has at least 12.5Amps on the 12V rails, and that it does not have a problem with no load on the 5V or 3V rails.

So, yes, the right PC PSU can be used, but you need to do some homework first.

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