"Industrial" 12V PC power supply

[SimonP]

I'm after a PC-AT power supply that works from a 12-Volt input.

Yes, I could use an inverter with a standard PC power supply, but that's not exactly elegant or efficient in terms of power or space.

There is such a thing on the market, world-wide, called the ACE-865V.
It's only 65W output, but that's more than adequate for a Pentium-1 system.

Google shows two UK companies that sell them (Wordsworth and ICP) - but they are actually the same company. Well, the same person answered the phone anyway!
The price, £44.

But, they won't sell me one because I'm not an industrial customer.

Any suggestions, anyone?

Am I right in thinking that if I order from within the EU, I won't get hit for import duty or VAT?

Simon.

[Robin427]

I'm assuming this is for some sort of in-car computer...
... could you not measure what comes out of the back of the standard PC power supply and make your own? I'm assuming it's a low DC voltage so should be easy to convert for a man of your calibre...

[oglyoodoo]

Simon

I tried to send you a PM regarding your 12V PSU and after typing it all up and trying to send it all I got was:-

"SimonP has exceeded their stored private messages quota and can not accept further messages until they clear some space."

Regards

Denis

[salmon]

Hi Simon,

How about:

http://www.opussolutions.com/

Specifically designed for in -car solutions, not uk but needs must I suppose.

Regards
Chris

[salmon]

Hi Simon,

UK Company for similar products

http://www.watt-power.co.uk/page7.html

Regards
Chris

[steamyrotter]

Originally Posted by Robin427

I'm assuming this is for some sort of in-car computer...
... could you not measure what comes out of the back of the standard PC power supply and make your own? I'm assuming it's a low DC voltage so should be easy to convert for a man of your calibre...

Not that easy as there is +12v -12v +5v -5V and occaisionally +3.3v
Also these are usually high current rating as well.

Can be done but the cost of the components can get a bit high so easier to buy it.

Best to say you are a PC specialist in the industrial sector then they'll send it.

They are not going to check...
(Possibly.
Maybe,
Er!)

.

[Bowtie]

I don't know what kind of CPU-power you need but Mini-ITX boards has a small form factor and there are native 12V power supplies to be used in vehicles...

Take a look at the following pages (imagination is your only limit):

http://www.mini-itx.com/
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=10

http://linitx.com/index.php
http://linitx.com/index.php?cPath=24

[Bowtie]

And make sure you don't miss the following category: http://linitx.com/index.php?cPath=88

[SimonP]

Denis,
I have cleared my PM inbox.

Robin,
I am using a home-made switch-mode power supply at the moment. It works reasonably well - the +5V holds up to about 3V when starting the engine (enough for the CPU and LCD not to bother about it!), but the +12V dips below the 10.5V needed for the HDD and CD-Rom. No great hardship as I just have to wait a few seconds for the HDD or CD-Rom to spin back up again.

The ACE-865V is rated down to 8V input.

Bowtie, Salmon
Thanks for the links. I've had a brief look at them and will have a better look Friday when I have broadband access (I'm on 14.4kbps at the moment).
I'll have a think about going the ITX/VIA C3 route - I was hoping to stay with older "AT" hardware and its simpler power requirements as I don't need much over 90MHz CPU.

Thanks for all your help,

Simon.

[Bowtie]

SimonP, note that http://linitx.com not only sell ITX-PSUs for car usage, they also sell 12V AT/X PSUs (don't remember if they got AT and ATX or only one of them)... Check my previous link...