Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[Poison BL.]

On Mon, Mar 20, 2017 at 1:36 PM,  wrote:

> Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
> line is better solution?
>

One point that should be noted on this idea... as long as it cooperates, it
should last pretty much forever, but your draw at the wall will likely be
much, much, higher than it is now since the ~50-60W max you're drawing from
it is so much lower than an older PSU is designed for (and efficiency drops
the further from the load it's designed for you go, in either direction).
The other issue I'm aware of is that a PC's PSU is designed with a minimum
load, and they can have unstable/incorrect output if that load's not met. I
would expect any PSU made in the past several years (where actual power
draw of a basic desktop has dropped significantly) to be fine with the load
you're throwing at it, but it's something to verify, especially if it's a
meaningfully older PSU. Typically, the place you see that problem crop up
is using a PSU for bench power, and running small embedded, very low power
(i.e. Arduino and the like) hardware off of it.

Whichever way you go, good luck!

-- 
Poison [BLX]
Joshua M. Murphy

Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[taii...@gmx.com]

On 03/20/2017 01:36 PM, the...@sys-concept.com wrote:


I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).

They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare unit:
Switching Adapter Power Supply.
The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
this adapter is going slowly.

If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
extend the live of the these external power supplies?

Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
line is better solution?

I have something like that which I purchased from mini-box, it gets 
incredibly hot but it still works after a few years - maybe you could 
get something from them?


I would buy another one with higher amps, replace the components inside 
with better ones and fabricate a metal case for it with a heat-sink so 
it lasts longer.


The lifespan you stated is expected for cheap chinese capacitors, they 
only last 2000/hrs at 80C which is seriously pathetic. (so 6000 hours at 
the probable 20C you have) Get yourself some better long life japanese 
made ones.

Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[T ed Ozolins]

On 17-03-20 11:36 AM, the...@sys-concept.com wrote:

I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).

They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare unit:
Switching Adapter Power Supply.
The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
this adapter is going slowly.

If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
extend the live of the these external power supplies?

Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
line is better solution?



The higher current rating unit should run cooler thus live longer. If 
the psu from the old case has a well filtered output should do quite 
well. Since most desk-top psu are fan cooled could be an added bonus.


--
Ted Ozolins
Cranbrook, BC

Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[Mick]

On Monday 20 Mar 2017 13:19:59 the...@sys-concept.com wrote:
> On 03/20/2017 12:12 PM, J. Roeleveld wrote:
> > On March 20, 2017 6:36:25 PM GMT+01:00, the...@sys-concept.com wrote:
> >> I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
> >> hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).
> >> 
> >> They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare
> >> unit:
> >> Switching Adapter Power Supply.
> >> The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
> >> there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
> >> this adapter is going slowly.
> >> 
> >> If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
> >> extend the live of the these external power supplies?
> >> 
> >> Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
> >> line is better solution?
> > 
> > Most cheap 12V adapters are just that. Cheap. I would invest in a quality
> > unit that is actually designed for long term 24/7 use.
> > 
> > A higher amp might help as it won't be stressed as much. But also consider
> > adding cooling as it's the high temperatures and inadequate cooling that
> > kills them.
> > 
> > --
> > Joost
> 
> These 12V 5A adapters are small (~2x4x1in) external adaptors, they
> failed on my several times.  They are not design with cooling system and
> yes they do run warm especially when run 24/7.
> 
> I even had standard case power supply fail on me twice, so yes I try to
> buy them with extra watts capacity and most importantly I always ask for
> one with Japanese capacitors.
> 
> --
> Thelma

I had an old Linksys NSLU2 which had a PSU failure a few months after I 
connected a large USB drive to it.  The USB drive was drawing more current 
than the PSU could cope with in continuous operation (it was running 24-7).  I 
opened the PSU and replaced the capacitors with higher rating components.  
This lasted just under a couple of years.  After that I used a higher amperage 
PSU from a laptop.  I can't recall the exact difference in amps.  The original 
was 5V 2A and I used something like 5.5A, which lasted for a long time without 
any problem.  BTW, besides the size also check the polarity of the pin to make 
sure you do not blow the target device.
-- 
Regards,
Mick

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Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[thelma]

On 03/20/2017 12:12 PM, J. Roeleveld wrote:
> On March 20, 2017 6:36:25 PM GMT+01:00, the...@sys-concept.com wrote:
>> I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
>> hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).
>>
>> They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare
>> unit:
>> Switching Adapter Power Supply.
>> The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
>> there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
>> this adapter is going slowly.
>>
>> If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
>> extend the live of the these external power supplies?
>>
>> Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
>> line is better solution?
> 
> Most cheap 12V adapters are just that. Cheap. I would invest in a quality 
> unit that is actually designed for long term 24/7 use.
> 
> A higher amp might help as it won't be stressed as much. But also consider 
> adding cooling as it's the high temperatures and inadequate cooling that 
> kills them.
> 
> --
> Joost

These 12V 5A adapters are small (~2x4x1in) external adaptors, they
failed on my several times.  They are not design with cooling system and
yes they do run warm especially when run 24/7.

I even had standard case power supply fail on me twice, so yes I try to
buy them with extra watts capacity and most importantly I always ask for
one with Japanese capacitors.

--
Thelma

Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[J. Roeleveld]

On March 20, 2017 6:36:25 PM GMT+01:00, the...@sys-concept.com wrote:
>I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
>hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).
>
>They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare
>unit:
>Switching Adapter Power Supply.
>The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
>there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
>this adapter is going slowly.
>
>If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
>extend the live of the these external power supplies?
>
>Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
>line is better solution?

Most cheap 12V adapters are just that. Cheap. I would invest in a quality unit 
that is actually designed for long term 24/7 use.

A higher amp might help as it won't be stressed as much. But also consider 
adding cooling as it's the high temperatures and inadequate cooling that kills 
them.

--
Joost
-- 
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Re: [gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[Dale]

the...@sys-concept.com wrote:
> I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
> hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).
>
> They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare unit:
> Switching Adapter Power Supply.
> The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
> there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
> this adapter is going slowly.
>
> If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
> extend the live of the these external power supplies?
>
> Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
> line is better solution?
>


I've worked with electrics for years.  I've even designed and built
power supplies for various projects, not computer ones tho.  I see what
you are thinking and in a way, it can be true.  Sometimes if you buy a
power supply that can handle more than you use, it does last longer. 
One reason for that, heat.  If you buy a power supply that is just big
enough for what you need and it is made in a way that heat builds up, it
will shorten the life at least some.  That said, if you buy a power
supply with the same rating but it is just much better designed and
built with cooling as a priority, then it will last longer as well. 
Heat is one of the big problems with electronics.   Power surges etc
would be my next concern. 

My advice, prepare to pay a little more for a power supply that can
either remove heat better but be rated the same OR buy a power supply
that can provide more power and that lead to less heat since it is not
so heavily loaded.  Either way, you will likely have to pay a little
more.  One other idea, measure just how much power it pulls with a meter
of some type to be sure what it needs.  It may be that it is not loaded
to heavy but just poorly designed or just to much heat.  You may also
find that it is heavily loaded which makes a slightly larger power
supply a good idea. 

I might add, when I buy power supplies for my puter rigs, I try to buy
one that will only be loaded at around 40 to 50%.  One, it is lightly
loaded relative to what it can handle.  Two, it will most likely handle
heat better at those levels.  Third, it allows for upgrades, hard drive
additions etc without having to buy another one. 

I hope that info will help. 

Dale

[gentoo-user] switching adapter - power supply

[thelma]

I have a small box "VIA Eden Processor 1200MHz" it runs my asterisk and
hylafax but it is powered by those external 12V adapters (12V 5A).

They don't usually last long, max 2-years or less.  I have a spare unit:
Switching Adapter Power Supply.
The box is in remote location so if it goes down due to PS I have to
there and restart it, it shut down twice on me this morning; I think
this adapter is going slowly.

If find/connect 12V adapter with higher Amps 10A or 15A will it help
extend the live of the these external power supplies?

Or take one of the old PS from an old case and solder the tip to 12V
line is better solution?

-- 
Thelma