> Just wondering, has anyone gone and constructed a benchtop power supply from
> a PC power supply?
> I have a few spare ATX power supplies at home and it'd be handy to be able
> to use one to make a bench supply...
> Shouldn't be too difficult really, it'd be nice to be able to supply +/-
> 12V, +/- 5V and 3.3V on demand.

    I did it with an OLD pc psu (that old ones that had load resistors on the output, not
to need minimal load to regulate properly). It is still working, but I have no trust on
it. I'd prefer the old ones, with a BIG transformer and some good'ld 2N3055 with a UA723
regulating the tension and maximum current. I'm looking for a GOOD schematic of voltage
AND tension controlled power supply to bulild and forget about power problems.

    Good tip from someone crazier than me: A car or motorcicle battery, in a separate box.
Another box with regulator/charger. When you "turn on" your power supply, it gets a
extremely stable and ripple-free tension from the battery. When you turn it off, it
connects the floating charger to the battery, and keeps it always charged. Mr. Lipinhaski
uses a simple LM-340 regulator for that.

    When I put my PSU working and I can be sure it works as it should, I'll post complete
schematics, PCBs and drawings/photos in my page (www.pinball-taito.com.br).

    Greetings from Brazil
    Alexandre Souza


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