Using a PC PSU for the amiga
by john/indi
**WARNING**
This is a hardware hack which enables a cheap PC PSU to power amigas
from a500 to a1200 ( NOT big box amigas obviously ). Please do not take
these diagrams as gospel, they are correct in my experience BUT check
all voltages with a multimeter before connecting your amiga. I will not
be held responsible ( blah blah etc. ).
Has your crappy amiga power brick ever given up on you? Been ripped off
for a goliath or similar "high wattage" PSU. No? Shit.
Well read on anyway, it may happen some day.
Get a hold of an old PC power supply, you'll get one from a computer
fair for less than £5. Using a multimeter (if you aint got one then
give up now.) check the voltages on one of the large 4-wire female ends.
They should match up with this. All voltages are DC.
PC Power Supply Cable - Female End
+12v +5v
_______________
/ \
| O O O O |
|_________________|
0v 0v
Check all voltages to be sure, all PSU's that I've tested (dozens) are
configured this way but some older units may suffer from lack of volts
on one wire or more. Anything less than 11.9v and 4.9v should not be
used as this will drop slightly when on load.
If your amiga PSU is still alive then check the voltages on the male
plug end. They should match up with this. Again all DC voltages.
Amiga Power Supply Cable - Male End
_____ _____
| \_/ |
| 1 2 |
| |
| 3 |
| |
| 5 4 |
|_____________|
Voltages...
1 - +12v dc
2 - 0v dc
3 - 0v dc
4 - +5v dc
5 - earth
If your PSU is dead then don't worry, ALL amiga supplies from A500 to
A1200 are the same.
Now simply chop the cable off the amiga supply where it leaves the
brick, peel back the insulation, and connect to the corresponding
voltages on the PC unit. Put connection 5 down to earth, under a case
fixing screw or something. Keep the joints inside the PSU if possible,
keeps it nice and tidy, but there are no dangerous voltages involved so
make a pudding joint outside if you want :) Seriously though, use a bit
of solder to make the joint safe, if your hard drive loses voltage when
it's reading it sounds like the heads have hit a brick wall, not
recommended.
Once all the connections are made then check AND DOUBLE CHECK that the
voltages are as specified in the amiga diagram.
A standard sized PC PSU should be enough to power any accesories you may
want to add, DO NOT be tempted though to power an IDE CD drive from
within your amiga, the teeny weeny circuit board tracks will not take
it.
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