One of the crucial tools for electronics enthusiasts is a lab bench power supply, because the amount of experimenting you are going to do is enormous which make the lack of this device doesn’t make since even for beginner.
From multiple electronics, motors, microcontrollers, to many other components, every one of them need its own voltage level.
As a hobbyist I always try to find a turn around before rushing to buying solutions, which land me to the point that I’m also a pc geek, and as any pc geek you will find a lot of spare parts from constant upgrade those people are obsessed with.
One of those parts you will definitely find is a PSU (Power Supply Unit) for and old pc, and they are a precious for their ability to repurpose as a lab bench power supply.
This PSU need a modifications for it to work properly, so I start researching the tools and components that is needed to start building my DIY power supply.
While I’m searching I found what’s called atx breakout board, simply it’s a complete solution module contained in one single pcb board, comparing the price of the module it’s also cheaper than the discrete components that I’m about to buy, and as an added bonus I’m going to spare a huge amount of time that will be spent on researching and building the project, So Why Not.
I love to find the sweet spot between the time and money, because the money is not the only thing that has a value, in my opinion the time is more precious than money.
The only time that is needed right now is the time it will take to arrive from far east, but this time is invested very well in other projects.
The board doesn’t need any extra detail to explain, it just work out of the box, all what you need is to connect the atx connector from the PSU to the board.
And from the front plug it to the main
after plugging, it will give you multiple voltage level (3.3V, 5V, 12V), and extra port with adjustable voltage level, starting from 1.8V to 12V, this last port limited to 3A current, but the other ports will give you the maximum current that your PSU are designed to deliver.
It also has a usb port in case anyone needed it, and the board fully protected with fuses.
To be sure that the board are working properly and not just a defected or scam one, I tested it with a multimeter and it shows a correct values.
So now I’m I can rest assured that I play with whatever toy I have, without been bothered with the lack of adjustable power supply.
Links
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atx breakout board module link: https://rb.gy/zswjp
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motor and wheel link: https://rb.gy/a79w9
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