Pc Power Supply For Power Injection.

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

Hello All, Just looking for some insight here. I have a pc power supply that is rated at 350 watts. Thinking I can just pull my 5 volts out of the 5 volt section of the board and then have the ground wires attached to ground. Looking about possibly having 200-300 Pixels together like so.. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/50pcs-DC5V-12mm-WS2811-led-pixel-node-with-all-WHITE-wire-IP68-rated/1032292289.html   With one of the san device controllers. Is this all that the power will take? I am understanding that I have to add a new power line about every 50 pixels or so. It was suggested to me to just buy a power supply but I have this one sitting around so I figured I could put it to good use, any suggestions appreciated.

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

So ive found some more answers after a google search so far it appears you have to ground pin 14 on the 24 pin connector in order for the power to stay on constantly, it appears though that the 5 volts output has the ability to be able to do about 6 outputs if needed, open to thoughts on this

[Roger 15]

Some time back I posted about using computer power supplies for RGB and LED's but can not find it.  You can Google "hot to convert PC power supply" and it will give you several links and information.  I converted several for RGB and they work fine, found them in junked computers. 

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

I had seen where you posted that before roger and did do the google search I believe I found my answers, Ill try to post back here when I know for sure. Have to get my pixels on order first.. have the controller on its way just no pixels yet.

[jerrymac 15]

Seasonal Entertainment makes a great breakout board for PC power suipply's.  They have  an On and Off switch as well as seperate 5v and 12 volt outputs, and best of all you do not have to cut off the original plugs or sweat color codes on the wires.    Here is the link   http://www.seasonalentertainmentllc.com/store/en/breakout-boards/144-24-pin-atx-power-supply-breakout-board.html

very easy to solder up I have half a dozen of them I use.  New ATX power supply's go for around $25.00 for 600 watt on Ebay. 

[RobertB 14]

I know there is a ton of places on the net that will show you how to convert these things.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+convert+a+power+supply+to+12v&oq=how+to+convert+a+power+supply+to+12v&gs_l=youtube.3...85834711.85845686.0.85846050.36.28.0.8.8.0.341.3822.4j21j1j2.28.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.RO0ommwSoQI

for Youtube.

I used a computer power supply for all my gutter lights and and 4 or so floods. 

Best place for power supplies?  Yard sales. When they want a bunch for some old Pent.II computer....remind them it is going to be sitting there at the end of the day and they will be the ones hauling it off.  Also Goodwill is another place for old computers.  If your not savy enough to fool with ripping into it, Jerrymac is right. That little board would do the trick.

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

Ive gotten to the point of getting the power supply out of its case and disassembled ready to wire. My only thing is I watched the video you posted robert and dont understand the 5 volt to ground resistor or something he put in there, did you do that? as stuff I read didn't say anything about that, any idea what the purpose of that is?

[RobertB 14]

Jeremy point me to which video your referring to. I pointed you to several. Again these computer power supplies can work well for you :-)

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

Sorry. This is the one I watched http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWnS-SwFwrw . After further reading elsewhere the only thing I could find that the "block" is, is like a 10 watt 10 ohm resistor to provide a load on the power supply so it doesn't die? Just needing to know if others did this or not. thanks!

[RobertB 14]

Yes. It needs to have that load. You can get that at Radio Shack. Yes. Heat sink it against the metal frame of the power supply. It does get hot. Cheap insurance ;-)

[Jeremy Lawton 1]

Ill have to go pick some up.  Thanks!