Inside Fully Modular PSU

[LahryMusic]

After much research and hours spent on google I can't seem to find decent images and videos on how a Fully modular PSU is set up. I am asking because I'm making a Hackintosh in a Powermac G5 case and I want to put the psu in the old psu housing. Yes i understand the risks and I realize this is really stupid but the heart wants what the heart wants. Anyone know where I can find decent documentation on this subject matter. I'm looking at using the Corsair SF 450 or 650 depends on components I decide on.

[You_are_a_cunt]

afaik modular PSUs (semi or full) are built just like non-modular ones, in therms of electronics.

The only actual difference is that instead of having a tree trunk's worth of cables coming off of each rail (5V, 12V, etc.) the cables go to female plugs

[Stefan Payne]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

afaik modular PSUs (semi or full) are built just like non-modular ones, in therms of electronics.

Depends on the Plattform.

Oldish ones, yes.

Newer ones, with a 'Wireless Design' are built a bit differently. With those, the modular PCB is soldered directly to the main PCB. 

 

But the rest is the same. Just some parts are arranged a bit differently, but every PSU has to use some of the same of the available parts. 

Like control chips from (usually) Champion Micro, Infineon, NXP/OnSemi and so on...

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, Stefan Payne said:

Depends on the Plattform.

Oldish ones, yes.

Newer ones, with a 'Wireless Design' are built a bit differently. With those, the modular PCB is soldered directly to the main PCB. 

 

But the rest is the same. Just some parts are arranged a bit differently, but every PSU has to use some of the same of the available parts. 

Like control chips from (usually) Champion Micro, Infineon, NXP/OnSemi and so on...

Technically the same principle, isn't it?

[Stefan Payne]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

Technically the same principle, isn't it?

Depends on what you mean with 'the same principle'...

There are many different ways a PSU can work. Most recent is Active Clamp and LLC-Resonant mode Converters. But there are also other topologys of isolated switch mode power supplys...

 

 

Here some pictures:

 

And one of a "wireless Design":

 

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, Stefan Payne said:

Depends on what you mean with 'the same principle'...

There are many different ways a PSU can work. Most recent is Active Clamp and LLC-Resonant mode Converters. But there are also other topologys of isolated switch mode power supplys...

 

 

Here some pictures:

 

 

And one of a "wireless Design":
 

 

As in, at a basic level, they're PCB to plug to cable (be it PCB to plug directly or PCB to plug via cable).

The OP basically wants to transplant a modular PSU into another metal box (tbh I wouldn't) so the internal workings aren't really put into question, it's the actual physical design/layout that matters.

 

Kitguru has pics of the internals

https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-sf-450-and-sf-600-psu-review/7/

It is, indeed a "wireless design" PSU so fairly special care needs to be had (on top of taking extra care) when moving the internals to a new box.

[LahryMusic]

2 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

As in, at a basic level, they're PCB to plug to cable (be it PCB to plug directly or PCB to plug via cable).

The OP basically wants to transplant a modular PSU into another metal box (tbh I wouldn't) so the internal workings aren't really put into question, it's the actual physical design/layout that matters.

 

Kitguru has pics of the internals

https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-sf-450-and-sf-600-psu-review/7/

It is, indeed a "wireless design" PSU so fairly special care needs to be had (on top of taking extra care) when moving the internals to a new box.

This is exactly what I am wanting to do, it isn't something that I normally would do because it is an absolutely ridiculous plan but never the less I like hte challenge. 

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, arcticfox159 said:

This is exactly what I am wanting to do, it isn't something that I normally would do because it is an absolutely ridiculous plan but never the less I like hte challenge. 

the main issue I see if actually fitting things into the old box. Note that the PCB should be mounted on 4 standoffs of some sort so it doesn't short out on the metal box. Those aren't standardized and since we're talking Apple here, odds are they'll be odd-ball.

[LahryMusic]

1 minute ago, revsilverspine said:

the main issue I see if actually fitting things into the old box. Note that the PCB should be mounted on 4 standoffs of some sort so it doesn't short out on the metal box. Those aren't standardized and since we're talking Apple here, odds are they'll be odd-ball.

Yeah, I have thought about how I'm going to mount it but haven't chosen a psu that in what I have learned to far should be on a separate pcb attached by wires. The idea is to keep it as original as possible. I have thought about an sfx psu but i have only 2.25 inches to work with.

[You_are_a_cunt]

1 minute ago, arcticfox159 said:

Yeah, I have thought about how I'm going to mount it but haven't chosen a psu that in what I have learned to far should be on a separate pcb attached by wires. The idea is to keep it as original as possible. I have thought about an sfx psu but i have only 2.25 inches to work with.

The G5 PSU looks an awful lot like a 1U server  PSU to me.

G5:

 

1U PSU:

 

I think you'd be better off getting a 1U PSU instead of trying to fit another PSU into the G5's PSU box

[LahryMusic]

3 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

The G5 PSU looks an awful lot like a 1U server  PSU to me.

G5:

 

1U PSU:

 

I think you'd be better off getting a 1U PSU instead of trying to fit another PSU into the G5's PSU box

I can say that is something I have thought about, but my only concern is then cable management. That's the one reason I thought about replacing the guts.

[kasugatei]

Johnny Guru anyone? That is basically PSU bible web site with lots of PSU guts. And great reviews as well.

 

http://www.jonnyguru.com

[LAwLz]

Since OP's question has already been answered I think it's time to say that opening a PSU is a very bad idea unless you know what you're doing. The capacitors can hold a charge large enough to kill you even when the PSU is completely unplugged. So remember, it can electrocute you even if it's unplugged.

There have been several cases where people have died from opening PSUs so it's best to avoid it.

[LahryMusic]

31 minutes ago, LAwLz said:

Since OP's question has already been answered I think it's time to say that opening a PSU is a very bad idea unless you know what you're doing. The capacitors can hold a charge large enough to kill you even when the PSU is completely unplugged. So remember, it can electrocute you even if it's unplugged.

There have been several cases where people have died from opening PSUs so it's best to avoid it.

I am fully aware of all the dangers involved with opening a PSU, thanks for the warning though. I have a pretty decent knowledge of what to do and what not to.  I have looked into what precautions i should be taking when opening one up. It is still in the air if i even want to attempt this or go with a 1u server psu. 

[LAwLz]

20 minutes ago, arcticfox159 said:

I am fully aware of all the dangers involved with opening a PSU, thanks for the warning though. I have a pretty decent knowledge of what to do and what not to.  I have looked into what precautions i should be taking when opening one up. It is still in the air if i even want to attempt this or go with a 1u server psu. 

A tips I heard before is to have the PSU in a computer, unplug it from the wall, and then press the power button on the computer.

If you do that then the computer will use the power stored in the PSU to try and start, fully draining the capacitors which makes them harmless.

 

Not sure how much I'd trust that advice, but it might be worth a shot. At the very least it doesn't hurt.

[LUUD18]

inb4 news headline: Guy killed because of touching his PSU.

[LahryMusic]

5 hours ago, LAwLz said:

A tips I heard before is to have the PSU in a computer, unplug it from the wall, and then press the power button on the computer.

If you do that then the computer will use the power stored in the PSU to try and start, fully draining the capacitors which makes them harmless.

 

Not sure how much I'd trust that advice, but it might be worth a shot. At the very least it doesn't hurt.

If it is any help I'll be using a brand new power supply for this project. I have already carefully disposed of the old PSU. Seems like it will be pretty straight forward but at the same time need to treat the PSU with respect. I'll post an update with pictures to this thread once I have completed the transfer if i go ahead with it that is. 

[Guest]

11 hours ago, revsilverspine said:

The G5 PSU looks an awful lot like a 1U server  PSU to me.

G5:

 

1U PSU:

 

I think you'd be better off getting a 1U PSU instead of trying to fit another PSU into the G5's PSU box

Not to scale.  The G5 PSU is gianormous.

 

[You_are_a_cunt]

1 minute ago, jonnyGURU said:

Not to scale.  The G5 PSU is gianormous.

 

I'd say that's even better

[Stefan Payne]

The fans of the G5 PSU look like they are at least 60mm ones.

The fan in the 1U unit usually is a 40mm one...

 

So enormous difference...

[LahryMusic]

19 hours ago, Stefan Payne said:

The fans of the G5 PSU look like they are at least 60mm ones.

The fan in the 1U unit usually is a 40mm one...

 

So enormous difference...

The G5 does have 60mm fans, I took a psu out of my Dell R710 and there was a pretty big difference. NOt sure i like the idea of using a 1u psu though.