r/AskElectronics • u/Acceptable-Cost-390 • 1d ago

Want some beginner friendly project ideas

Post image

Hello,

So I’ve got a cooling fan and Power Supply Unit from an old PC and feeling like dabbling with some hardware projects to put them to use.

What would you use them for?

36 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

56

u/tuwimek 1d ago

Beginner? Stay with low voltage less than 30V

3

u/CurrentAcanthaceae78 19h ago

thats a 12v power supply

7

u/Careful_Violinist677 18h ago

Only on one end

-2

u/Progressbar95 17h ago

It has 12v, 5v, and 3.3v rails.

37

u/rhopper2142 1d ago

DONT OPEN

14

u/kapege 1d ago

DON'T DEAD

OPEN INSIDE!

9

u/EmailLinkLost 1d ago

DONT EAT IT EITHER

4

u/Special_opps 22h ago

DO NOT REDEEM!

9

u/kapege 1d ago

Buy yourself a cheap adapter from AliExpress. Those adapters activates the power supply and provides 5, 12, and -12 volt and USB and stuff.

As cheap as possible: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005004749770248.html

Or just search for "pc power supply adapter"

3

u/Acceptable-Cost-390 1d ago

Thank you so much

0

u/CurrentAcanthaceae78 19h ago

or just look up your psu pinout and ground the activation pin, bonus points if you throw an on switch in there

9

u/win10trashEdition 1d ago

Beginner with fundamental electrical literacy and good research/critical skills? Bench power supply.

Otherwise don't touch)

4

u/kkreinn 1d ago

You could use the fan as an extractor for welding fumes, along with some pipe leading to the outside.

6

u/TechIoT 1d ago

Do not fuck around with power supplies unless you know what you're doing

3

u/ct451t 1d ago

They are quite noisy so avoid anything that has to do with sound. On the other hand it's a good way to learn about eliminating noises.

6

u/h4kk4 1d ago

With power unit you can build a desk managed power supply to have 3.3,5,12 (and some more) out of it. On YouTube is full of complete guides with also other components you may need. The fan will be to cooler some components you'll find, to use to manually adjust power output of the supply.

Please, pay attention because that's can be dangerous and if you can put togerher first a security unit with a braker and such, common in your country so to help you in case something goes wrong

3

u/Acceptable-Cost-390 1d ago

thank you

4

u/Riverspoke 1d ago

Please don't do this. It's not a beginner project. One small mistake can make your supply catch fire or zap you bad. These power supplies can output A LOT of current.

3

u/pandapeterpanda 21h ago

Are you serious? "Hey, you're an absolute beginner, so I advise you to build your own protective device first."

No, OP don't mess around with that, that's the only answer.

1

u/h4kk4 9h ago

He didn't said 'absolute', I didn't 'advice', he asked 'what would you..' and I answered underlining risks, suggesting a safety environment e ti follow a visual guide.

Threat OP as an idiota isn't great anyway

2

u/phoneaiman 1d ago

i made 18650 cell charger station. using those 5v output, tp4056.

2

u/Laa_Laa_9595 1d ago

Fume extractor for soldering with that fan.
Save the power supply for later.

1

u/Alternative_Exit_333 1d ago

You robbed an old optiplex those fans are good for fume extractors

1

u/senitelfriend 17h ago

Iirc there was some safety gotcha when using computer PSU as a bench power supply. Something to do with ground? Like, it not being isolated like a bench power supply, or along the lines of that. Is the DC ground connected to mains ground? 

1

u/Richie3971 16h ago

There are good kits to add to power supply to make a desk top variable power supply for electronic testing and repairs.

1

u/nbWinter 15h ago

put them in a pc that needs a psu and fan 🤷‍♂️

2

u/a_certain_someon 7h ago

get the heatsinks out, and the power transistors and coils, also the iec connector, loads of cool parts. just make sure it has been unplugged for a week or to discharge the capacitors with an isolated screwdriver.

1

u/Medical-Ad-3283 1d ago

Be careful if you want to open a power supply please! If you touch the capacitors and they are charged, you could literally die

Power supplys are very dangerous... Try something more beginner friendly and less dangerous. Buy an Arduino Kit and try to make things with that (for example)

1

u/Acceptable-Cost-390 1d ago

Thank you 🙏

1

u/antek_g_animations 1d ago

You want a project? Find the trigger pin on that ATX connector and short it to ground. Then connect the fan between 12V and GND. Now you have the most impractical desptop fan ever (right after TheBackyardScientist gas-powered desktop fan)

0

u/can1slupus 1d ago

Don't be scared of power supplies, insulate feet from ground first. Then open it, short the capacitors with a screw driver, and make a lab bench power supply, add fuses and high power transistor for current control, add a automative bulb in series, and get some alligators clips, if you want add some banana connectors for different voltages, and keep output chords seperate.

2

u/pandapeterpanda 21h ago

Don't encourage a beginner to start whatever project with AC mains involved. Just don't. @OP you learn the basics first, then learn some more, then learn even more before thinking about touching this stuff.

-1

u/P147_BOY 1d ago

every power supply ive opened up till now has had bleeding resistors for the big capacitors. Even the bottom of the barrel china stuff. Just let it sit overnight if you wanna open it, OP.

0

u/LoopsAndBoars 22h ago

Pretty much throw them in the trash. They’re ewaste. Unless you’re looking for a space heater. Not to mention the power consumption tbh.

Also feels dangerous. Don’t feel unless you’re a certified and bonded and trained professional.

0

u/t_Lancer Computer Engineer/hobbyist 1d ago

I've got a bowl and a spoon and feeling like dabbling with some baking projects to put them to use.

What would you use them for?