Guys,
How clean are the power supplies that come with PCs? Do they have a full rectifier? I still have quite a few new power supplies (230-250 watts) from back in the 486/Pentium era. Do they supply sufficient amps for standard cars, especially T-Jets and AFX?

If I remember correctly, there are two different power leads. One is 12v and I think the other is 5v. That should mean you could wire up the track for either 12v or 17v, correct?

Thanks...Joe

There are some how-tos out there that talk about conversions, at least for ATX style power supplies. These things put out plenty of current.

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/powersupply.htm
http://www.instructables.com/id/ATX--%3E-Lab-Bench-Power-Supply-Conversion/
http://www.tcnj.edu/~jones37/atx.html

Guys,
How clean are the power supplies that come with PCs? Do they have a full rectifier? I still have quite a few new power supplies (230-250 watts) from back in the 486/Pentium era. Do they supply sufficient amps for standard cars, especially T-Jets and AFX?

If I remember correctly, there are two different power leads. One is 12v and I think the other is 5v. That should mean you could wire up the track for either 12v or 17v, correct?

Thanks...Joe

PC PS's are some of the cleanest power you can get. I have one converted to use to run my com lathe. I have mine set up for 3.3, 5 an 12 volts, I also have -5 an -12. Mine is rated at 20 amp under load so yes its plenty of amps for t jets an af/x, you will need to put a load on it to get the full amps

ac ripple on mine is .005 on the 12 volt side

ac ripple on mine is .005 on the 12 volt side

Thanks guys!

Despite numerous attempts to grasp electrical concepts, I never seem to get it. So, I assume .005 AC ripple is a very good thing? That indicates full rectifier circuitry I presume?

Also, of what use are the negative voltage lines?

Thanks...Joe

Thanks guys!

Despite numerous attempts to grasp electrical concepts, I never seem to get it. So, I assume .005 AC ripple is a very good thing? That indicates full rectifier circuitry I presume?

Also, of what use are the negative voltage lines?

Thanks...Joe

Yes .005 a/c ripple is a great thing, a/c ripple hurts d/c motors, Yes most have full rectifier circuits. - lines won't do the average person much good, but if you build circuits some need - volt to run

Thanks.
This is great. I have about 6-8 new AT power supplies sitting in boxes. Keep a few for the old PCs that still serve me well, and I should have a couple to dedicate to racing.

Joe

I used an old PC power supply to make my break-in box.

I attached a small piece of track to the power supply, ran 3.5 volts to one lane and 5 volts to the other.

I use a 30 volt printer power supply to run my
lap counter section.It acts about the same as a
DC2 power pack.It probably has less amps.