…built a power supply…

Posted January 8, 2008
Filed under: Ham Radio, homebrew | Tags: , , |

So, I finally finished the bicycle I was rebuilding, cleared some workbench space, and gutted a 300W power supply out of an old Antec computer case. I then converted it to a power supply for my Yaesu FT-7800R ham radio, to use as a base station in my garage.

This is a 300W switched power supply that supports 10A on the +12VDC rail.

Then I removed the cover.

Then clipped the unecessary wires and taped them off. The only one’s I needed for the ham radio power supply was the yellow (+12VDC), the black (ground), and the green (power on). I kept 1 green, 3 yellow, and 4 black.

You can twist the green and one of the black wires together. Be sure to tape them up and shrink wrap them. Also, tape the ends of all the clipped wires (just to be safe).

Then twist the 3 black wires together, and the 3 yellow wires together, and crimp an Anderson Power Pole connector on each.

You should have a pretty clean looking setup at this point.

Now, reinstall the cover, and you’re done!

11 comments so far

  2. Thor on January 12, 2008

    Nice project, I like it. Wire 25 together in parallel and make a 12VDC welder !!!!

    Thor

    Reply
  3. bloodhound on January 12, 2008

    Thanks!

    Welder? I do have a second identical power supply…
    hmmmm…

    Reply
  4. jnadeau06 on February 8, 2008

    Congrats on your new Radio. I also just ordered a new mobile VHF. I’ve never had a mobile (just handhelds) and therefor not sure how i’m going to power it yet. I am thinking about converting a PC power supply, but the mobile unit says it needs 13.8 volts, would I be correct in assuming it won’t work since the PC power supply supplies 12 volts ????
    Also, as far as your Solar Comment, I’ve been doing lots of research on solar power. Solar Panels are still VERY expensive. (About $4.50 per Watt you need to generate, so a 100 watt panel = $450, roughly) still very expensive … :(
    I’ve written a few blogs on solar power at techienation.com …
    http://www.techienation.com/?p=21

    Jason, VE2RIF

    Reply
  5. bloodhound on February 8, 2008

    You’ll like the FT-2800. Great little radio, and indestructible! The thing is built solid.

    I had contacted Yaesu concerning operating voltages and current draw. The response is that the mobile radios have a voltage operating range of 11.7 to 15.8 VDC.

    So, I built my power supply (ok, converted) and it registered 11.4 VDC. Apparently there are differences between voltage supply at rest, and voltage supply under load.

    Well, I hooked up my FT-7800R and it worked just fine with 11.4 VDC. So, a little less than 12 VDC is fine.

    I’m currently thinking of converting another power supply. There are also 3 VDC leads in there. If I can figure out how to connect them in series with the 12 VDC leads, that would give me a 15 VDC connection, which (using the same percentage drop) should leave me with 14.25 VDC. But, smaller projects are in the way before I tackle that one.

    Thanks for the link to the solar stuff. Great blog. My wife has been talking to me about straw bale houses for several months now, but I didn’t see what they were until your site. That solar install looked like a bit of work.

    73’s! Jason, WH7DA

    Reply
  6. jnadeau06 on February 8, 2008

    Thanks Jason for the great information !
    I did some research, and apparently if you want to add your 3 VDC to the 12 VDC in series, you’ll need to use a totally separate power supply. (Since all the blacks are grounded together)

    I just finished converting one of my power supplies as per the instructions on your blog. I get 11.66 volts with no load. Might be a close call. :) Can’t wait for my radio to come in to try it ! :)

    73’s from Jason, VE2RIF !

    Reply
  7. DIY: Salvage Computer PS to Ham Use on November 10, 2008

    [...] The dirt-simple project is documented, complete with step-by-step photographs, on his blog. [...]

    Reply
  8. WH7NB on January 23, 2009

    FYI
    Have been Using a Power Supply for LCD Panel for a while, 12v 5A, cost $35 EBAY,

    Good Luck WH7NB

    Reply
  9. Phil on February 11, 2009

    Another good use for old computer power supplies are to power stereo amps made for automobile use. I did this to power a subwoofer and it worked great… it’s a lot cheaper than buying those dedicated 115 AC to 12.0 DC power supplies.

    Reply
  10. Randy Brooks on March 3, 2009

    I just bought a used FT-7800R and I have a spare computer power supply that I’ll convert like yours. Is the reason you used 3 yellow and 3 black wires is so there’s more wire surface to crimp onto with the Anderson Power Pole connectors? Just want to make sure before I proceed. Also, what size Power Pole connector did you use?
    73’s
    Randy
    K8CLE

    Reply
  11. Luis Cabrera on June 16, 2009

    I was considering building my own power supply, but a fellow ham suggested I get one with at least 30 Amps of output… so I guess I will not be building one from a PC power supply (Apparently that provides only about 10 amps).
    Thanks.
    Luis
    KF7BYO

    Reply

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