Enclosure for computer (ATX) power supply

[Marc Hillman]

I'm getting back into electronics after 35 years. Had this GREAT idea for a
cheap power supply for my breadboard projects - buy a cheap computer power
supply which provides +/- 5 & +/- 12V, put it in a box, and voila! a simple
cheap lab supply. Easy - right?

No - try as I might I cannot find a simple aluminium box with internal
dimensions at least 150x85x180 for under $100. Ideally I'd like one of those
tarnsformer enclosures that come with a handle, but where does one get a
largish aluminium box these days? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

(Can anybody suggest a better newsgroup for this question? There seems to be
a lot of off topic, and childish, stuff here)

 

[petrus bitbyter]

What the hell are you guys talking about electronics on this NG !!!
It's people like you that clog up normal dialog on politics and commerce
that the group was designed for.
Why not bug out to a more appropriate NG ??

Yeah, this group is at least as noisy as a PC power supply.

petrus bitbyter

 

[Marc Hillman]

Thanks for the grown-up suggestions - problem solved - Radio Parts C1066
$22.

Don't mind the noise. Most of what I build goes into a car, so it creates a
realistic environment. Thanks for the warning on having to load the 5V line
though.

Apologises for clogging the NG with electronics

 

[Davo]

A mini-tower PC should do the job nicely, & will cost bugger all.

And while you're at it you could put a mother-board and hard drive in
and you'll have a free computer along with your power supply.

 

[Bob Larter]

I'm getting back into electronics after 35 years. Had this GREAT idea
for a cheap power supply for my breadboard projects - buy a cheap
computer power supply which provides +/- 5 & +/- 12V, put it in a box,
and voila! a simple cheap lab supply. Easy - right?

No - try as I might I cannot find a simple aluminium box with internal
dimensions at least 150x85x180 for under $100. Ideally I'd like one of
those tarnsformer enclosures that come with a handle, but where does one
get a largish aluminium box these days? Any suggestions greatly
appreciated.

A mini-tower PC should do the job nicely, & will cost bugger all.

 

[Nick Andrew]

I'm getting back into electronics after 35 years. Had this GREAT idea for a
cheap power supply for my breadboard projects - buy a cheap computer power
supply which provides +/- 5 & +/- 12V, put it in a box, and voila! a simple
cheap lab supply. Easy - right?

No - try as I might I cannot find a simple aluminium box with internal
dimensions at least 150x85x180 for under $100.

If you're just after a computer switchmode power supply, can't this be
obtained from any computer left out on the street for council pickup?

Nick.

 

[Terry Dawson]

A bit of skip raiding got me a pile of fibre-optic network repeaters, each
one contained a PSU module with separate switchers for the 5 & 12V outputs,
so either rail can be used on its own without loading the other.

wow, you've got good quality skips I clearly need to look elsewhere.

Terry

 

[Davo]

wow, you've got good quality skips I clearly need to look elsewhere.

Terry

The power station I work at had a big upgrade of its control system last
year. Some of the stuff thrown out would make you weep.

 

[Bob Larter]

And while you're at it you could put a mother-board and hard drive in
and you'll have a free computer along with your power supply.

Indeed. ;^)

 

[Bob Larter]

Don't laugh. My desktop machine has the +12V taken out through the
rear panel to a flying lead. Comes in *very_handy* (tm) when
programming two-way radios.

I've done the same thing when I've needed 5V or 12V for some device or
other. The easy way is to run an HD extension power cable out an unused
expansion slot.