ACA1232 - Power consumption.

[Coolhand]

I've got an individual computers 1232 030/33 hopefully coming my way in a few days.  I know there may be issues with the card - the timing probs - but I'm mostly concerned that I don't have a heavy duty enough PSU to use it reliably.

All I presently have are the original puny A1200 brick, and one I bought off an internet seller which I'd hoped would be a more powerful A500 brick but turned out to be an equally puny A600 supply.

To be fair, the A600 says 60 watts on the case (and was advertised as such) but apparently according to Ian Stedmans site neither brick can output more than 3 amps on the 5v.

Fully configured the 1200 will be basically stock with CF hard drive and the accellerator.

So does anyone use these weak PSU's with a similar configuration? Am I worrying too much about it - I guess there's an unlikely chance its 'just enough', or should i hack the end of the a600 psu onto an ATX PSU, or is there another option?

Thanks.

[bbond007]

So does anyone use these weak PSU's with a similar configuration? Am I worrying too much about it - I guess there's an unlikely chance its 'just enough', or should i hack the end of the a600 psu onto an ATX PSU, or is there another option?

Thanks.

I used my stock A1200 PS with an 030/40 with FPU and 32MB ram, CF card on 4xIDE, subway, PCMCIA wireless and it was all working well. I started having issues on cold boot when I added an Amigamaniac SVIDEO adapter to the mix.

I would suggest getting a A500 PS shell and mounting a micro ATX PS inside...

I have an A-power PS that I mounted inside the stock A1200 PS. I only did that because the rocker switch in the a-power broke. Micro ATX would never fit in a stock A1200 PS. Perhaps it would fit in the A600 unit.

I say to do that just to replace the aged and less efficient components with newer switching style PS.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

There's always this:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=866

$32 for a 300-watt PSU with Amiga lead already attached, doesn't seem like a bad deal.  Don't see any reason why you'd have to put it in a desktop case or tower case, just kick it under the desk on the floor, right?  ;-)

[bbond007]

There's always this:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=866

$32 for a 300-watt PSU with Amiga lead already attached, doesn't seem like a bad deal.  Don't see any reason why you'd have to put it in a desktop case or tower case, just kick it under the desk on the floor, right?  ;-)

I have something like that as well, actually forgot I owned it until I moved. It was sold as "bigfoot" PS. I think it came from Softhut. Anyway, its ok, just ugly and very loud for my otherwise silent A1200. I used very briefly it when I broke the rocker switch on the a-power in my move. The sound was driving me crazy...

You could make the same thing with a micro and it would be a little more attractive at least, but if at least if you start with the micro you have the option of mounting it in the A500 PS chassis.

[Coolhand]

Thankyou both for the replies.  I looked at that Amigakit PSU (its where I ordered the ACA from - ordered it last night and its being processed today, w00t!), but thats a PC AT/ATX PSU with an amiga cable hacked on by amigakit themselves though?

Because I'm cheap and like to mess with these things I'd perhaps make my own with an old ATX PC supply + the cable off the a600 supply.

I don't really mind it being 'loose' on the floor, its earthed, right?

I'd prefer a neater, silent package though.

If there's a more compact supply that can fit inside the A600 brick (which is even bigger and yellower than the 1200's) and can run silently, safely, in that confined space with no fan that woud be great.

I'm just wondering really what the 1232 might draw from the PSU... Sounds like it might work fine for years based on what 007 is saying - presumably the older the card, the more power hungry - I can't seem to find any figures on what the ACA1232 actually needs?

[Coolhand]

http://ianstedman.co.uk/Amiga/amiga_hacks/Amiga_Power_supplies/amiga_power_supplies.html Ian has posted tables of the power consumption (i'm sure many of you reading this are familiar with it) But I think i read it wrong originally and thought i'd need a lot more than 3amps on the 5v.  so with an ACA 030 the a1200 should need about 2.5amps? leaving me a spare half an amp.... Do the ram chips need a lot more - again i assume you can power a lot more ram with less power these days as opposed to an older card with less memory.

Even if it is adequate, they're old parts and i'm definately interested in making something thats more powerful and efficient, if it can be silent and safe.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

As another alternative, there's always this:

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2386

[Coolhand]

As another alternative, there's always this:

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2386

wth is that, antenna cable? I'll pass no judgement on someone elses work but  it's a bit 'whackier' than what i'd thought of hacking together.

really interested in stuffing new psu innards into the old power brick though, keeps it all looking faithfully yellow and nasty... could you fit a pico and a 12v brick inside an old A600 brick?

[Lurch]

Why go for a large micro ATX/ATX... Pico ITX is the way to go :-)

Around $20 USD for the PSU and then a cheap laptop power adapter :-)

[bbond007]

wth is that, antenna cable? I'll pass no judgement on someone elses work but  it's a bit 'whackier' than what i'd thought of hacking together.

I do like the idea of a USB connector for power...

I could see potential problems with those exposed wires everywhere if you had pets or children... maybe not, i'm no safety expert... Anyway

Too bad Mitch does not make the a-power anymore. You'd really like that.

If you wanted stuff the A600 PS chassis you could always retrobrite it to remove the UV, but I'd probably look into making it black with some sort of plastic paint. The stock A1200 one is black anyway

Sounds like a fun project

[Coolhand]

hey whats wrong with bromine brown?

my stock 1200 psu (which along with the machine, i've owned for 20 years) is quite nice and white - never seen a black one... I'm leaving that one untouched and i'm really trying to avoid painting anything or cutting extra holes etc... keeping everything as stealth and as a original looking as possible. so i'm happy to gut the spare 600, yeah retrobrite is something i've looked at... maybe in the summer.

Pico psu seems pretty expensive for me in the UK! For what it is, i could pick up a whole Raspberry pi for as much... then plus the powerpack, isn't there a small low power mains atx power pack for a tiny pc that i could use? one that is low wattage, cheap, requires no active cooling and could be fitted in the chunky a600 brick? wishful thinking i guess;)

[paul1981]

I've got an individual computers 1232 030/33 hopefully coming my way in a few days.  I know there may be issues with the card - the timing probs - but I'm mostly concerned that I don't have a heavy duty enough PSU to use it reliably.

All I presently have are the original puny A1200 brick, and one I bought off an internet seller which I'd hoped would be a more powerful A500 brick but turned out to be an equally puny A600 supply.

To be fair, the A600 says 60 watts on the case (and was advertised as such) but apparently according to Ian Stedmans site neither brick can output more than 3 amps on the 5v.

Fully configured the 1200 will be basically stock with CF hard drive and the accellerator.

So does anyone use these weak PSU's with a similar configuration? Am I worrying too much about it - I guess there's an unlikely chance its 'just enough', or should i hack the end of the a600 psu onto an ATX PSU, or is there another option?

Thanks.

My ACA1232 along with a real 40GB 2.5" internal HDD is powered from a standard "slimline" amiga 600/1200 powerbrick. The powerbrick hardly gets warm, even after hours of use. If the power supply works and it doesn't get hot, then I don't see a problem. However, I have tried powering that same expanded Amiga with the heavy A600/1200 issue PSU (filled with epoxy like the C64 ones) and the 1200 doesn't even turn on.
Just try it with the PSU you have. If your Amiga works, then great. But, keep your eye on the PSU and make sure it doesn't get hot. If it gets hot then you should find another solution, or get a slimline one like mine (it's the smallest powerbrick that was supplied by Commodore, airey should have one in stock on ebay). All I can tell you is that that particular PSU works like a charm for me.

[bbond007]

isn't there a small low power mains atx power pack for a tiny pc that i could use? one that is low wattage, cheap, requires no active cooling and could be fitted in the chunky a600 brick? wishful thinking i guess;)

I guess they made both colors...

There was someone who mounted a micro ATX(including fan) in A500 brick and the result was quite nice. That is why I suggested it. I had acquired a micro ATX OS from somewhere and after seeing that project I was going to do one of my own but I found that the A1200 PS(my black one) is quite a bit smaller than the A500 one used. I don't know if there is a physical size difference between the A600 and A500 bricks.

I also read an article (perhaps Tomsharware) where someone removed the fans from PC PS and they were still able to operate reliably without a fan. I don't know if this due to the fact that CPU fans provide enough airflow through the case.

I once had a 486 computer that I used to run some satellite equipment. I removed the fan from the PS and ran it that way for years....

[Coolhand]

My ACA1232 along with a real 40GB 2.5" internal HDD is powered from a standard "slimline" amiga 600/1200 powerbrick. The powerbrick hardly gets warm, even after hours of use. If the power supply works and it doesn't get hot, then I don't see a problem. However, I have tried powering that same expanded Amiga with the heavy A600/1200 issue PSU (filled with epoxy like the C64 ones) and the 1200 doesn't even turn on.
Just try it with the PSU you have. If your Amiga works, then great. But, keep your eye on the PSU and make sure it doesn't get hot. If it gets hot then you should find another solution, or get a slimline one like mine (it's the smallest powerbrick that was supplied by Commodore, airey should have one in stock on ebay). All I can tell you is that that particular PSU works like a charm for me.

Paul, did you have to make any timing fixes? I suppose I won't know until I actually start using it, but the 1232s sound like they're a bit more robust in that regard than the earlier ACA's.

Anyway, if the standard PSU works fine for you, again thats re-assuring to know... I doubt my CF needs much power, I have no plans to run any other hardware on there.

I think i have a slimline powerbrick, I'm pretty sure thats the one i had with my 1200, at least its a lot smaller than the A600 one i bought last year... the 1200 was bought in '93.  I stopped using it in favour of the A600, thinking it was superior :whack:

both psu's seem to work perfectly, maybe i'll test them out with the multimeter before installing the ACA... Even if its actually no more powerful its nice to have a backup.

I'm wondering though, how come it says 60 watt on the back of the A600 PSU when according to stedmans site its only 22.2W? is that because its actually drawing 60 but wasting 37.8W?

I guess they made both colors...

There was someone who mounted a micro ATX(including fan) in A500 brick and the result was quite nice. That is why I suggested it. I had acquired a micro ATX OS from somewhere and after seeing that project I was going to do one of my own but I found that the A1200 PS(my black one) is quite a bit smaller than the A500 one used. I don't know if there is a physical size difference between the A600 and A500 bricks.

I also read an article (perhaps Tomsharware) where someone removed the fans from PC PS and they were still able to operate reliably without a fan. I don't know if this due to the fact that CPU fans provide enough airflow through the case.

I once had a 486 computer that I used to run some satellite equipment. I removed the fan from the PS and ran it that way for years....

I guess it just depends on the power you're actually using, I'd carry out a lot of testing to see how hot its really getting with and without the fan! I'd be concerned about something like that overheating in the small plastic case... even bundling a modern 12v brick and pico psu in one.  eh I guess there's no ideal solution, seems like with what Paul and yourself are saying, I can manage with what I have so far.

btw, outstanding service from Amigakit so far, my items have now been 'delivered' according to their website and I can track them on royal mail - only placed the order 24 hours ago.:banana:

[paul1981]

Paul, did you have to make any timing fixes? I suppose I won't know until I actually start using it, but the 1232s sound like they're a bit more robust in that regard than the earlier ACA's.

Anyway, if the standard PSU works fine for you, again thats re-assuring to know... I doubt my CF needs much power, I have no plans to run any other hardware on there.

I think i have a slimline powerbrick, I'm pretty sure thats the one i had with my 1200, at least its a lot smaller than the A600 one i bought last year... the 1200 was bought in '93.  I stopped using it in favour of the A600, thinking it was superior :whack:

both psu's seem to work perfectly, maybe i'll test them out with the multimeter before installing the ACA... Even if its actually no more powerful its nice to have a backup.

I'm wondering though, how come it says 60 watt on the back of the A600 PSU when according to stedmans site its only 22.2W? is that because its actually drawing 60 but wasting 37.8W?

Yes, mine was a revision 2B A1200 motherboard, so it needed fixes (very simple to do mind).
I have the chunkier Amiga PSU's as well, but the ones I have run too warm for my liking, so I stick with my slimlines.

I have a very very beefed up A1200 that's also running off of a standard PSU!

As for the 60 watts rating, for a guess that'll be the overall power consumption of the PSU when driving it's maximum rated loads. Remember, PSU's aren't 100% efficient... far from it. Some are very bad.