A600 on Desktop PC case questions

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merlinkv

merlinkv

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Hi to all,

I started a new project to use one desktop PC case to "modernize" one of my A600.

Components are:

- A600 1.5 mobo
- ACA630/25
- A603
- Subway USB
- Indivision ECS
- Kickstart switch
- Buffered IDE interface
- IDE DVD
- IDE to CF on 3.5" adapter
- Internal FDD and maybe I use a pair of external FDD's
- PC-Key 600

All sounds good but the problem is the PSU. I have one small mATX 300w but no space inside the PC case to install all components + PSU.

I have readed about PicoPSU's from 120w to 150w. These ones have enough power for my project? About installation.... It's difficult?

Thanks
 
Hi Marios,

Great! :)

Looking your pics I see the external power connector... but I'm lost... this one connect directly to the home power line? Wich cable do you use?

Also where I can get the "Ian's adapter"? It's available somewhere?

---------- Post added at 07:23 ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 ----------

As I can see I need an externel DC power adapter....

Mmmmm.... maybe is better to install my mATX inside a custom case... I need to tought a bit more...

Thanks for the info my friend.
 
Tbh you don't actually need Ian's ATX adapter.
The only thing that Ian's adapter does is to use ATX adapter's pinouts for voltages (+5/+12/-12) and On/Off which converts it to Push-On.
If you remove the classic power connector, you can solder these wires under the mobo and be done with. Or if you don't want to desolder anything, just make a custom cable from PicoPSU to the Amiga power connector:

power-plug.JPG

(Image is from Ian Stedman's website)

Because the push-on circuit isn't so reliable I removed Ian's adapter from my A1200 (previous beast) and mounted the cables directly to PicoPSU (after removing the ATX connector) plus the switch just needs the Green and Black wires for On/Off purposes :)
 
Hi again :)

Thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated :thumbsup:

About PicoPSU's... So, I need a DC adapter... 12v will be a good voltage? How much Amps? And the power conector DC Adapter <=> PicoPSU it's a special one?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but I never used one of these PicoPSU's :)
 
I got mine as a set, but it's pretty much like an ordinary laptop DC adapter, with a 2-pole socket. And the Pico came with a cable and the appropriate jack in the end to engage that socket. Mine's a 12V one..
 
Never understood the idea of pico psu in Amiga, if it is expanded still need a high current power supply brick anyway so what is the point ... I do not think that cost of it is adequate to the gain - but that is me:)
 
Depends on the physical dimensions of the case you have. And the prices do vary..
 
bebek said:
Never understood the idea of pico psu in Amiga, if it is expanded still need a high current power supply brick anyway so what is the point ... I do not think that cost of it is adequate to the gain - but that is me:)
Click to expand...
Some of the reasons are:
- Lighter brick with a lot more wattage than the biggest Amiga brick
- Power switch wherever you want ON the Amiga and NOT on the brick itself.
- It's cool :P

Tbh, I nowadays use Mechy's APower PSU for minimal case modification but tbh, I always loved my PicoPSU inside my beefed A1200 :)
It never gave me any problem despite the really heavy configuration.

For Destkop placement PicoPSU is just epic choice.
 
Oh, Pico PSU regulates all voltages but the +12V rail!

12V is passed through, so you must have a regulated 12V supply to start.

So it's a better choice to use a mATX PSU to start with. Lack of space could not be a problem if you make a custom back plate.
 
Hi to all :)

Thanks for the info chaps.

Well the case I want to use is from a broken HP Compaq dc7800 slim form factor and there is not too much free space inside because I want to install DVD, IDE-CF and FDD internally....

Because the PSU is not a big one (mATX) I'm thinking to accomodate it externally, but fixed in one side of the case, then a little hole to passtrough the power cables inside...

In anyway I need to tought a bit more.....

If I have time, I will post some pics of the case soon..... :)
 
Oooh a man after my own heart. I've actually got a dead old HP desktop gutted and awaiting a cutting disc...
 
Hi again,

Well, searching for a solution to install my mATX PSU internally the only way is to desolder the Mouse & Joy ports and made new cables soldered directly to the mobo, then install new connectors in the back side of the case (I'm making a custom back plate).

This evening/night I will try to desolder and solder the new cables & connectors.... I'm "armed" with hot air, iron, flux, solder wire, ...... :p

Any special consideration? ..... I don't want to fry my little baby :lol:

Thanks
 
Put some load on the 3.3V rail if it is not shared with the 5V rail.

Since it's hard to tell, two 3.3Ohm x 5W resistors hooked to the 3.3V will have a consumption of 6.6W, enough to regulate the rail.

Remember that most ATX PSU models are regulated by the main rail (3.3V on pc units).
 
Hi to all :)

Well, bad news.... :(

I have desoldered the RF modulator with hot air. After desoldered no traces damaged, no PCB overheated, everything looks fine....

Installed A603, IndyECS, ACA630, KS Switch 1.3-3.1, floppy... everything works and boot from floppy but the HDD (the same IDE-CF I used all times) don't work.

Maybe I need to do some toher job? Not only desolder the RF modulator?

Any help will be appreciated

Thanks
 
Well, self solved.

It's a power issue. A bit strange because I'm using an ATX PSU 300w modded with the standard Amiga power cable.

So, if I connect power to the IDE-CF adapter directly from the PSU everything works OK.

Time to :coffee: a bit more.
 
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