Convert Computer Power Supply To Bench

Adapt an old computer power supply to use on your workbench.

Convert computer power supply to bench. That s what i did actually an old windows xp desktop computer has now become a useful addition to my workshop. Prices today for a lab power supply well exceed 180. But it turns out a obsolete computer power supply is perfect for the job instead. It s a very inexpensive way to make a pretty good dc bench supply or dedicated 12 volt supply for working on projects or powering devices.

Computer power supplies are switch mode power supplies smps which use high frequency switching circuit elements to provide a high quality output voltage with good energy efficiency one side effect of this technology is the minimum load requirement that each power supply has. Computer power supplies cost around us 30 but lab power supplies can run you 100 or more. Computer power supplies have all the voltages you ll need and some very impressive current capabilities. Converting pc power supply to bench supply turn a surplus computer power supply into a bench power supply to run your amateur radio transceiver and other equipment overview this project will show you how to turn an atx power supply unit psu from a computer into a bench power supply capable of providing the dc power necessary to operate your.

The standard computer power supply unit psu turns the incoming 110v or 220vac alternating current into various dc direct current output voltages suitable for powering the computer s internal components and with a little bit of imagination it is possible to convert atx psu to a bench power supply. Dedicated bench power supplies. By converting the cheap free atx power supplies that can be found in any discarded computer you can get a phenomenal lab power supply with huge current outputs short circuit protection and reasonably tight voltage regulation on the 5v line. Convert a computer power supply to a variable bench top lab power supply.

First a bit of background on a typical atx power supply. Converting an atx power supply into a dc bench supply this article is the first in the projects category. There are already a lot of tutorials online that show how to convert an old computer power supply into a bench power supply but most of these designs require you to permanently modify it. For instance a computer power supply can make a great bench power supply for your workshop.