Dual PSU Problems, 2nd PSU clicks and stops...

[WLC-1989]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98948

Basically, I need something like this but working in reverse. Can anyone suggest such an adaptor? If not, does anyone know if it's possible to construct the adaptor I need, or would it require specialist parts?

[DDY]

The quickest way to do that, buy a 4-pin 12v power extension like this, chop the plug end of the extension off and crimp (or solder) that end to a 4-pin 12v/5v socket like this.

[WLC-1989]

Thanks for your reply DDY. Would the method you propose definitely:

1) Be sufficient for powering a hard drive... I.e. Is there a chance that the voltage/amps involved would be too high/low? I'm unsure if these are PSU constants or vary with different power connectors.

2) Be sufficient to bypass the PSU's minimum load protection, thus allowing it to be used to power the other drives too?

Finally, with the two items you suggested; would you be kind enough to give me some advice on which wires of the ATX12V plug into which of the 4-pins of the molex connector?

I appreciate all the info you're giving me; hopefully I'll have his PC up and running by the weekend.

[DDY]

There would be plenty of power for multiple HDDs from the 4-pin 12v connector. However, a hard drive also requires a 5v input, for this you need to do 'adapt' to the cable I suggested above.

Note the HDD power connection pinout here, most importantly note the 3 wires, yellow (12v), red (5v) and black (ground). The yellow 12v wires should lead to the 4-Pin 12v (motherboard connector) and the 5v should come from any 5v source e.g. another 4-Pin 14v/5v connector as seen in this crude MSPaint diagram which took over 4 seconds to draw.



This should be enough to start the PSU, if it isnt; try hooking it up to a DVD drive or similar, in fact you should do this first, then try the HDD.

[WLC-1989]

Thanks so much for your help, I'll buy those parts tomorrow and get back to you on how it went.

[WLC-1989]

I just constructed the adaptor and unfortunately it didn't work; the PSU still switches off.

Do you have any other recommendations? Perhaps something for the 24-pin?