My X68k PRO Power Supply ATX mod (and info)

[Segasonicfan]

Here are some pics of the ATX mod for my X68000k PRO HD.  I recommend this for *everyone* as the built in power supplies are terribly dangerous, having no short circuit protection of any kind.  I was very lucky the old one didn't toast my system. 

Another big benefit is that ATX supplies are meant for much more than 100W, so they will run a lot cooler.  Another addition I installed was a breakout fuse board, complete with pico fuses for every single power wire.  Extra safety and peace of mind

The hardest part was drilling the damn aluminum holes to mount it properly.  But it fits and works great!

-Segasonicfan

[famiac]

Do you use just any ATX or is there a specific one?

[costa]

Here are some pics of the ATX mod for my X68000k PRO HD.  I recommend this for *everyone* as the built in power supplies are terribly dangerous, having no short circuit protection of any kind.  I was very lucky the old one didn't toast my system. 

Another big benefit is that ATX supplies are meant for much more than 100W, so they will run a lot cooler.  Another addition I installed was a breakout fuse board, complete with pico fuses for every single power wire.  Extra safety and peace of mind

The hardest part was drilling the damn aluminum holes to mount it properly.  But it fits and works great!

-Segasonicfan

This is very important information, would you have some time to detail your work and add technical and detailed information?

For example, the question famiac did makes a lot of sense, you could save people time and money.
For example, I bought one low profile ATX PSU for my XVI, and it did not fit. I had to buy a second one, which finally fitted inside the computer.

[Segasonicfan]

Here are some pics of the ATX mod for my X68000k PRO HD.  I recommend this for *everyone* as the built in power supplies are terribly dangerous, having no short circuit protection of any kind.  I was very lucky the old one didn't toast my system. 

Another big benefit is that ATX supplies are meant for much more than 100W, so they will run a lot cooler.  Another addition I installed was a breakout fuse board, complete with pico fuses for every single power wire.  Extra safety and peace of mind

The hardest part was drilling the damn aluminum holes to mount it properly.  But it fits and works great!

-Segasonicfan

This is very important information, would you have some time to detail your work and add technical and detailed information?

For example, the question famiac did makes a lot of sense, you could save people time and money.
For example, I bought one low profile ATX PSU for my XVI, and it did not fit. I had to buy a second one, which finally fitted inside the computer.

All the info on how to do this is on the wiki, do you have other questions about it?
As for size, I cannot help since I have a X68000 PRO and most everyone here has a Compact which is much smaller.
Any ATX should work, since (as far as I know) they all output the voltages that the X68k uses (+5v, +12v, -12v) and have a soft start that will work with the circuit on the wiki.  Make sure -12v is there with enough power, not sure how much the X68k consumes but it can't be too much, the original PSU trace is very thin, probably supports around 1A on the PRO model.

[Nelsinho]

Very nice !
Thanks for share !

[Segasonicfan]

glad you like it   There's more info in this video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYjGSwG3Hvw

[famiac]

What is the wattage on your atx? You mentioned you managed to find one for $25, where did you find it?

Thanks!

[Segasonicfan]

What is the wattage on your atx? You mentioned you managed to find one for $25, where did you find it?

Thanks!

I'll have to check my wattage later when I open up my X68 for cap work.  Anything 100W or over should work though, which is to say almost any ATX will do the job.  The x68 takes far less power than modern computers.

Ebay search turned up stuff like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPARKLE-SPI-FSP150-601U-ATX-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-1U-NOISE-KILLER-150W-FSP-150-/151362960600?pt=US_Server_Power_Supplies&hash=item233def7cd8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-NEW-Dell-Optiplex-GX520-GX620-SFF-XPS-200-Power-Supply-220W-N220P-01-/390832387450?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item5aff6cf57a

Just search around for "studio tower power supply" or "dell studio power supply" or "100W ATX"  Theres so many of these floating around, though if you want my exact one I say the model # in the video.
Good luck.

-Segasonicfan

[BlueBMW]

I have also used what are called ITX power supplies.  Theyre smaller than most atx units and seem to fit nicely.  Im thoroughly convinced that PICO psus are where its at for these machines.

[famiac]

Woah those things are tiny. Are you sure they work/are safe?

[Segasonicfan]

I have also used what are called ITX power supplies.  Theyre smaller than most atx units and seem to fit nicely.  Im thoroughly convinced that PICO psus are where its at for these machines.

ah yeah, those are really cool.  Only thing is they still need a 12v AC-DC supply which is kind of annoying.  I like having the whole thing built inside in one easy to mount case.  I think something like this is really ideal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Athena-Power-AP-MFATX22-FlexATX-220W-Mini-ITX-Micro-Power-Supply-/161377643471?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item2592db6bcf

They are all safe though, a lot safer than what the X68k comes with, lols.  Just make sure you put it in a nice case and measure the output voltages correctly.

-Segasonicfan

[famiac]

Cool, thanks for the advice

[eidis]

 Hi Guys !

Just out of curiosity, has anyone of you ever fried an X68000 because of a bad original PSU ?

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis

[BlueBMW]

Ive seen many bad original PSUs but none have damaged the main system.  The only damaged system Ive seen was one that had a botched atx swap in it.  AC power connected to the system chassis ground is a bad thing...

[Segasonicfan]

BlueBMW, how many systems would you say you've worked on?

I was freaked when I opened the dead PSU that came with my system because it literally burned/scorched the -12v trace off the board.  I read on the forums here someone having a dead softpower logic chip, probably due to PSU failure is my guess.

-Segasonicfan

[BlueBMW]

I've probably seen somewhere around 25 units so far... 

[Arcade]

I see people using DIP 74x04's for these mods to invert the 'PSU on' signal for ATX supplies...  For a smaller solution and less soldering you can just use something like a 2N7000 N-channel MOSFET instead.  Connect 'source' to ground, 'drain' to the ATX 'PS_ON#' pin, and then the yellow wire from the X68K to 'gate'.

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/2N/2N7000.pdf
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/2N7000TA/2N7000TACT-ND/3042479

[eidis]

 Hi Arcade !

This is good stuff. Thank you very much !

ATX Power-On signal inverter
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=x68000:atx_power-on_signal_inverter

Keep the scene alive !
Eidis