I've been exploring ways to repurpose old ATX power supplies into bench or lab power supplies. Recently, I found a project on Kickstarter for an ATX Power Breakout Board that includes a boost converter. It seems to add an adjustable higher-voltage output on top of the standard rails. Has anyone experimented with using breakout boards and boost converters like this? How do they compare with using buck or boost DC-DC modules directly from the 12 V rail? Are there any pros or cons I should consider before I dive into a project like this?
5 Answers
Honestly, I feel like we already have enough options with ATX supplies. They can provide various voltages and you can find guides online to learn about their limits. If you're pushing them past their specs, then that's where a standard outlet comes in to make sure you don't blow anything up!
Honestly, I don't see why this needs to be a Kickstarter project. You can find similar preassembled modules on platforms like eBay or AliExpress without the extra hassle. Just my two cents!
A bench power supply should be reliable and eliminate any noise or interference during troubleshooting. ATX power supplies might seem good initially, but they can be quite noisy and cheaply made for high wattage. Not to mention, can we trust their overcurrent protection to kick in at the right moment? If you're going to spend money, you might as well invest in something that’s actually designed for bench use.
I think if it included constant current and voltage modes, it could be really useful, but as it stands, I don't see much use for it. A fixed voltage power supply could mess up some prototypes if you're not careful—you really need to watch out for mistakes that could lead to frying your circuit!
One big downside is that this setup lacks a constant current mode, which is crucial for a proper bench power supply. That's the main reason I usually stick with dedicated bench supplies. Otherwise, you might as well just use a regular power adapter!
Totally agree, having a safety feature like that would be a game changer. It's surprising this isn't prioritized more!