ATX supply breakout board

Archive New Product Ideas
1

If Sparkfun sold ATX supply breakout boards, I would buy a few. I’m assuming they’d be priced similarly to your other products (say $8 to $15 USD). A nice one is available for $25, but it galls me to spend more on the breakout board than I probably will on the supply.

Of course, creeping featuritis can derail a project like this.

  • Main power switch: I think this is necessary

  • Terminals: screw down banana binding posts?

  • jumpers that could be replaced with sense resistors: I vote yes

  • electronic on-off circuitry: Provision in layout somewhat desirable

  • fuses: I vote no.

  • Electronic monitoring goodies: Oh man. Sooo hard to say no, but this is intended as a budget-oriented suggestion.

If the banana binding posts bump up the cost too much, perhaps the thing could be done in kit form instead.

2

Nice. +1. Would buy for $15

3

Why not just build it?

I’m using audio wall mount plates. I bought extensions for the cables so I could use the PSU in a computer again.

It’s easy and if you have a dedicated work area it can be mounted in the table and be a seamless part of you work area. Or you could mount the PSU and panel into the side of a toolbox and have a portable version. Much neater then a breakout board.

Regular price of an 6 terminal is under $8. You can get every thing you need at home depot or lowes. I wouldn’t use the compression audio plugs though they ran hotter then the soldered 4mm RC plugs (bought in bulk for $0.30ea).

The switch is just the green wire in the main bundle.

You might need to add some load to it depending on the PSU. I power up and pull 70watts off the 12v rail without needing one on my PSU Some need it before they will even turn on. You just have to play around to find what works.

You can add as many jumpers as you like just buy a bigger triple box and and the 8 plug plates.

Old audio equipment has the some banana jacks and can be free. And some have recessed mounts that might be cool. Plus you get to take apart stuff.

If you really want or need screw down post you can buy the blank audio panels they have hexes molded in the back that should work with most post.