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Author Topic: Where do I get my 5 volts from?  (Read 8152 times)

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Offline Pythagoras

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Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« on: December 19, 2008, 12:59:04 AM »
Hi guys, I just bought a SS and 4 Geckodrives.
Where do I get the 5  volts from to drive the Geckodrives?
Can I get that from the USB port or will that cause it to close down.

I am a newbie again, since I have previously used a Rutex setup

Regards Benny
The Pythagorean theorem: The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).     a² + b² = c².

Offline Hood

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2008, 02:24:09 AM »
Benny, I prefer to power the SS externally so I use a line from the computers power supply to do that and you could use that to power the Geckos.
  If you you are using a BOB then they often have 5V outputs as well.
Not sure how much draw the Geckos have but would think USB would be adequate but then again some computers are weak on the USB, are you having problems with the SS dropping comms?
Hood

Offline Pythagoras

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2008, 02:59:18 AM »
Thanks Robin for the reply, you are just the man I was hoping would answer.
I am not using a BOB (I'm a risk taking, money saving scab) Should I ?
As for drop outs, I wouldnt' know yet. Ive only just installed mach and tested it on the bench. Nothing other than the USB connection. The lights ae doing as they should be.
Why do you power your SS externally?
Do you know much about computer power supplies? Do they have the 5 volts regulated out of the case or is that done on the mother board.

Two ex admins hey :)

Benny
The Pythagorean theorem: The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).     a² + b² = c².

Offline Hood

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2008, 03:18:24 AM »
I use external power as I just dont trust USB power for anything :D Had many an external HDD work fine on one computer and then the next doesnt have enough guts in the USB to power it.
 Computer power supplys produce all of the voltages internally, well that is if we are talking desktop PCs and not Laptops. On the desktop PSU the molex connectors that go to devices such as PATA HDD and CDROMs etc have both 5V and 12v, 5v is the red wire and 12v the yellow and Black is 0v. You can also get 7V there if you wish to power a fan that is too noisy on 12V but too slow on 5v, just use the 12V and 5v lines rather than one of them and the 0v :)  The ATX connector also has 3.3v and usually -12v and all voltages from the PSU are regulated and usually fairly good regulation at that even on the cheapos (should be music to your ear ;D ) You also have a 5V standby voltage on the ATX connector that is present even when the mobo itself is powered down, all the rest of the voltages just come on when the power good signal from the mobo is present.

Hood

Offline Sam

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2008, 04:09:32 AM »
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Thanks Robin
  :D :D :D
"CONFIDENCE: it's the feeling you experience before you fully understand the situation."

Offline Pythagoras

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2008, 04:17:33 AM »
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Thanks Robin
  :D :D :D

The funny thing is, you think I was making a joke. Sadly I was not :)
Before Robin hits back, I best tell you my name is really Benedict.
The Pythagorean theorem: The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).     a² + b² = c².

Offline Sam

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2008, 04:22:20 AM »
So I suppose your nickname shall be Arnold?
"CONFIDENCE: it's the feeling you experience before you fully understand the situation."

Offline Pythagoras

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2008, 04:36:40 AM »
So I suppose your nickname shall be Arnold?
And yours "Uncle"

Blow it, I was hopig to make this a good thread to be used as a reference for others. Oh well.
The Pythagorean theorem: The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).     a² + b² = c².

Offline budman68

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2008, 05:01:06 AM »
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And yours "Uncle"

Blow it, I was hopig to make this a good thread to be used as a reference for others. Oh well.

Not when Sam gets involved...... ;)

Dave
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Just because I'm a Global Moderator, don't assume that I know anything !

Dave->    ;)

Offline Hood

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Re: Where do I get my 5 volts from?
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2008, 05:34:02 AM »
Benny, think you messed up when typing your name, should the T not be a few letters back ;D

Hood