No reason not to use it, PROVIDED that it gives the correct voltage (options?) and delivers sufficient current to power all your requirements and with, say, a 100% overload factor for all those additions likely to come along in the future.

A nice feature is the ventillation grill, (fan cooled?)

I'm impressed with your work generally, and the control panel wiring is superb!

Hi Missy,

That control panel looks very impressive. Can I ask where you get the ribbon cable? It looks like a really neat way of wiring a layout.

Afraid my knowledge of electrics isn't up to commenting on the power supply.

Andy

Missy - you might find this useful on the power supply:

http://wiki.ehow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply

(I think there are a couple of youtube 'howto's as well.)

PC power supply should be fine (nice idea!), though it may be worth ensuring there is a low current fast acting fuse or circuit braker between the output and your trackwork - when these power supplies go Bang they can send a surge out though all the power outputs and wreck other aspects of the PC (or your loco in this case!).

Having said that, it may be exactly the same with a standard controller.......!

Alan

I've used a PC PSU for Awrhyllgwami and Penrhos Junction from day one. I didn't have the Wikihow article then so I had to work out which cable kept the PSU switched on. Mine also needs about a 1 amp load on the 12v to keep it running, so a large resistor is required and it is bolted to the PC case to help cool it down.

I'm just about to cannibalise a second PC so that I can have separate PSU for the 2 layouts.

I have only used the PSU for points and lights etc. The controllers require 16v AC so I had to install a transformer in the PC case for them.

Hi Missy,

 

That control panel looks very impressive. Can I ask where you get the ribbon cable? It looks like a really neat way of wiring a layout.

 

Afraid my knowledge of electrics isn't up to commenting on the power supply.

 

Andy

Hello Guys

Thanks for the comments. The power supply is only going to supply mainly the lights for the layout. It was free and seemed like an ideal way of doing it. Its interesting to know about the loading and switching of it though, and also I will look into making the outputs fused so thank you Penrhos and Alan

Hello Andy

The cable I have used is from RS Components (Im sure you could get it from elsewhere though. The code is 290-0198 and the link is HERE

Missy

PC power supply should be fine (nice idea!), though it may be worth ensuring there is a low current fast acting fuse or circuit braker between the output and your trackwork - when these power supplies go Bang they can send a surge out though all the power outputs and wreck other aspects of the PC (or your loco in this case!).

 

Having said that, it may be exactly the same with a standard controller.......!

Alan

I'd agree with this, when a power supply went bang on one of my computers it fused the connection plug onto the motherboard socket with the molten plastic! It probably is worth fusing it to protect your lights.

I too like the tidy wiring!

The cable I have used is from RS Components (Im sure you could get it from elsewhere though. The code is 290-0198 and the link is HERE

Thanks Missy - I've bookmarked this so I can order some when I get to the wiring stage with my layout (hopefully not too far away!).

Andy