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Is a PSU safe outside its metal box?
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Member
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8. September 2004 @ 08:51 |
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Hi,
I got a project goin which is basically putting a PC inside an spare XBOX case. Im using my old 800mhz system since I only want to use it for emulation (n maybe sum old skool games like quake 2) and watching films. Problem is the PSU is a tiny bit big so I took it apart so I can place it inside it just like that but I dont no wether its safe for the rest of system.
Any replies would b great,
Thanx
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matty8887
Senior Member
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8. September 2004 @ 10:48 |
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It will be ok as long as no metal is touching the psu components.
-Xbox v1.0, X-ecuter2 lite, EVO-X DASHBOARD,
-PS2 V4(gap), PS2 V5, duo2
-BARTON 3200+, wInDoWs XP(sp2),
asus A7V600-X,120GB |
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8. September 2004 @ 11:13 |
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thanx, thats wot i thought.
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Moderator
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8. September 2004 @ 11:25 |
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I sure as hell wouldn't do it. I'm a commercial/industrial electrician by the way.
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33 |
AfterDawn Addict
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8. September 2004 @ 11:55 |
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That cover around it isn't there for looks. Input into many of the componets is 120volts. I don't think there is any operational reasons, but safety is a big factor.
Jerry
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Member
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8. September 2004 @ 12:03 |
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could anyone give an alternative then? is there such a thing as a mini PSU??
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Member
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8. September 2004 @ 13:00 |
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would it be safe if I was to make another metal case that is small enough for the xbox? could that cause any problems?
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AfterDawn Addict
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8. September 2004 @ 15:38 |
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I guess if you covered it with something and did it with safety in mind, it should work. Maybe something that doesn't conduct like plastic.
Jerry
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Member
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8. September 2004 @ 16:00 |
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interesting............
maybe sumthin like acrylic?
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Moderator
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8. September 2004 @ 20:17 |
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If you plan on making a custom PSU case you had better keep thermals in mind. Cramming a standard PSU into an XBox case is going to severly limit the airflow the PSU requires. If it overheats it's going to start a fire and/or fry other components when it fails :)
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. September 2004 @ 20:18
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Member
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9. September 2004 @ 02:13 |
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I was thinkin of pretty much making it like the original case but out of acrylic and of course lots of gaps on the top for air flow and also a space for the fan to blow cold air onto the components of the psu.
does that sound about rite?
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Member
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9. September 2004 @ 02:16 |
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i was also goin to remove the XBOX emblem ( the green round thing on top) and replace it with a fan so that cool air go into the console because it has gaps all around the case for the air to go out of, if that isnt still enough i could make an exhaust to be safe
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baabaa
AfterDawn Addict
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12. September 2004 @ 01:44 |
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The box around a PSU is a necessity.........RFI regualtions/safety the works............
Obviously for safety, but also for shielding......
The shielding is VERY important as the PSU is a switched mode power supply....
Basically they have crappy switching frequencies floating around all over the place and the box contains this behind a grounded cage.........Similar to the 80 way IDE ribbons.............
These frequencies can radiate ALL inside the PC and cause some really weird problems, therefore to contain inside a grounded/shielded enclosure is required.......................
You can get hold of smaller PSU's, but I do not know where, my mums old pc HP, had a 92 Watt PSU and powered a HD/DVDROM/MOTHERBOARD etc........and was the smallest thing I have ever seen....
Maybe worth seeing if you can still get them..........
What do Barebones use?
BTW:As been mentioned already -
1. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE PSU IF IT IS OPENED, THE 120v/240v WILL GIVE YOU A BELT, 50HZ OR 60HZ WILL THROW YOU OFF.
2. THERE WILL BE A POTENTIAL OF 350VDC IN THERE THAT WILL CERTAINLY WAKE YOU UP AND COULD MAKE YOU GRAB IT
3. THE SECONDARY SIDE CAN MAKE YOU GRAB IT RATHER THAN THROW YOU OFF, YOU WILL KNOW ABOUT IT THEN - SUCKING THROUGH A STRAW.............
AC and DC is inside, the ac, will generally throw you off, but NOT AT THE HIGHER FREQUENCIES INSIDE ON THE SECONDARY SIDE.
The DC will make YOUR HAND GRAB IT and then you will probably cook..........
Seems like an interesting project though..........
...............PIO is no go, DMA all the way...............
Beware of the Pixies - they move in over night and turn your life upside down
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Member
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12. September 2004 @ 04:54 |
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Ive seen mini PSU's and they are roughly 200 watts so I wasnt sure it would power everything efficiently.
The system im puttin in the case is a old 800mhz PIII, 128mb ram (prob upgrade to 256/512), couple fans, DVD-RW, Ati rage pro 128 (32mb) and maybe a LAN card for transfering files from my main PC.
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Member
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12. September 2004 @ 05:09 |
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baabaa
AfterDawn Addict
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12. September 2004 @ 06:42 |
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It looks like it'll do the job just fine, I think the air cooling situation is gonna need to be good......but yikes.....How much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always makes me laugh in todays age - the smaller in size, the dearer in price (eh ladies, is that true?)
...............PIO is no go, DMA all the way...............
Beware of the Pixies - they move in over night and turn your life upside down
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. September 2004 @ 06:44
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Member
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12. September 2004 @ 08:02 |
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true about the price but thats the only one that would suit my project best.
Also for cooling I am going to remove the xbox emblem on the top (green thing) and replace it with a fan blowing air into the case. I think there are vents all around the case itself (not sure yet, im still have to receive it) so that will help with the cooling situation.
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Member
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13. September 2004 @ 08:16 |
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ive just seen a pic of a xbox PSU and it looks like it has connector for a DVD and motherboard just like a standard PC, I was wondering how much watts it is and if it could be used for my pc/xbox project.
Also I have just paid for a xbox case so it will be arriving soon so I can actually start working on it. I may start a new thread showing how I will construct it with pics.
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