Well I decided to experiment with installing an ATX PSU in my Amiga 2000. More accurately I decided to try Jope’s method of transferring the ATX components into the Amiga PSU shell. OK kids this is where it gets interesting! I did not dare do this with a new ATX PSU so I used a very old dying LiteOn 250 watt PSU I pulled from a first generation P4 socket 423, HP Pavilion. See pics.
Removing the parts from the Amiga PSU went smoothly. The ATX was more of a struggle but not too bad. My first real problem was removing the female A/C outlet from the ATX shell. The only way I could remove it was to either de-solder the wires from the circuit board or cut them. I don’t have my solder iron right now and the only solder experience I have is re- soldering an RCA video jack on one of my 1080 monitors. So I went with option 2 and cut them. The AC outlet has a resister and two capacitors covered in a plastic or rubber coating. I assumed that I better keep the original ATX outlet with the rest of the components and not attempt to use the Amiga outlet, which only has the positive and negative and ground wires.
The ATX parts fit easily enough in the Amiga shell. However in order to get he fan to fit on the proper opening on the back of the Amiga shell I was forced to orientate the board in a way that only allowed one screw to mount it by. It also placed the cut A/C wires squeezed underneath the fan. The grounding wire had no problem reaching the proper place inside the Amiga psu shell where the original was connected. All in all the whole thing felt jerry rigged and not really like it would be safe and I do not relish the idea of cracking open a brand new ATX psu.
This attempt was a good way to demonstrate to me that I would prefer to install the ATX power supply directly into the Amiga. I have opted to follow the method used by Orange by placing the ATX PSU on feet to raise it to the proper height. I tested this with the ATX shell. The holes where the fan and A/C outlet are aligned perfectly. The only thing I could not test is the power switch since this ATX model does not come with a switch on the back. I am sure even the ones that do will not line up with the back of the A2000. So I hope I can un-mount the switch and extended it by splicing in the proper gauge wires if needed. Well that’s it for now until I receive my new Seasonic PSU and of course the ATX to Amiga power adapter cable from AmigaKit. Not surprising the Amiga PSU went back together easy where as the ATX PSU I struggled to fit the original parts back together. It was a cheap brand. Anyway the project continues.
