1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Is a PSU safe outside its metal box?

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by navi95, Sep 8, 2004.

  1. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Hi,

    I got a project goin which is basically putting a PC inside an spare XBOX case. Im using my old 800mhz system since I only want to use it for emulation (n maybe sum old skool games like quake 2) and watching films. Problem is the PSU is a tiny bit big so I took it apart so I can place it inside it just like that but I dont no wether its safe for the rest of system.

    Any replies would b great,

    Thanx
     
  2. matty8887

    matty8887 Regular member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2004
    Messages:
    772
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    It will be ok as long as no metal is touching the psu components.
     
  3. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    thanx, thats wot i thought.
     
  4. Nephilim

    Nephilim Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2003
    Messages:
    13,161
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    116
    I sure as hell wouldn't do it. I'm a commercial/industrial electrician by the way.
     
  5. Jerry746

    Jerry746 Senior member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Messages:
    3,879
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    116
    That cover around it isn't there for looks. Input into many of the componets is 120volts. I don't think there is any operational reasons, but safety is a big factor.

    Jerry
     
  6. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    could anyone give an alternative then? is there such a thing as a mini PSU??
     
  7. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    would it be safe if I was to make another metal case that is small enough for the xbox? could that cause any problems?
     
  8. Jerry746

    Jerry746 Senior member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Messages:
    3,879
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    116
    I guess if you covered it with something and did it with safety in mind, it should work. Maybe something that doesn't conduct like plastic.

    Jerry
     
  9. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    interesting............

    maybe sumthin like acrylic?
     
  10. Nephilim

    Nephilim Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2003
    Messages:
    13,161
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2004
  11. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    I was thinkin of pretty much making it like the original case but out of acrylic and of course lots of gaps on the top for air flow and also a space for the fan to blow cold air onto the components of the psu.

    does that sound about rite?
     
  12. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    i was also goin to remove the XBOX emblem ( the green round thing on top) and replace it with a fan so that cool air go into the console because it has gaps all around the case for the air to go out of, if that isnt still enough i could make an exhaust to be safe
     
  13. baabaa

    baabaa Active member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2003
    Messages:
    1,768
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    The box around a PSU is a necessity.........RFI regualtions/safety the works............
    Obviously for safety, but also for shielding......

    The shielding is VERY important as the PSU is a switched mode power supply....

    Basically they have crappy switching frequencies floating around all over the place and the box contains this behind a grounded cage.........Similar to the 80 way IDE ribbons.............

    These frequencies can radiate ALL inside the PC and cause some really weird problems, therefore to contain inside a grounded/shielded enclosure is required.......................

    You can get hold of smaller PSU's, but I do not know where, my mums old pc HP, had a 92 Watt PSU and powered a HD/DVDROM/MOTHERBOARD etc........and was the smallest thing I have ever seen....

    Maybe worth seeing if you can still get them..........

    What do Barebones use?

    BTW:As been mentioned already -
    1. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE PSU IF IT IS OPENED, THE 120v/240v WILL GIVE YOU A BELT, 50HZ OR 60HZ WILL THROW YOU OFF.
    2. THERE WILL BE A POTENTIAL OF 350VDC IN THERE THAT WILL CERTAINLY WAKE YOU UP AND COULD MAKE YOU GRAB IT
    3. THE SECONDARY SIDE CAN MAKE YOU GRAB IT RATHER THAN THROW YOU OFF, YOU WILL KNOW ABOUT IT THEN - SUCKING THROUGH A STRAW.............


    AC and DC is inside, the ac, will generally throw you off, but NOT AT THE HIGHER FREQUENCIES INSIDE ON THE SECONDARY SIDE.
    The DC will make YOUR HAND GRAB IT and then you will probably cook..........


    Seems like an interesting project though..........
     
  14. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    Ive seen mini PSU's and they are roughly 200 watts so I wasnt sure it would power everything efficiently.
    The system im puttin in the case is a old 800mhz PIII, 128mb ram (prob upgrade to 256/512), couple fans, DVD-RW, Ati rage pro 128 (32mb) and maybe a LAN card for transfering files from my main PC.
     
  15. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    I just found a considerably small PSU from the same site Ive orderd my AGP riser for my graphics card (got a right angle AGP riser or otherwise it would be too high) that is 180Watts.

    http://linitx.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_57&products_id=286

    Do u think this would be enough power for the system? Thanks
     
  16. baabaa

    baabaa Active member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2003
    Messages:
    1,768
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    It looks like it'll do the job just fine, I think the air cooling situation is gonna need to be good......but yikes.....How much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Always makes me laugh in todays age - the smaller in size, the dearer in price (eh ladies, is that true?)

    _X_X_X_X_X_[small]Beware of the Pixies - they move in over night and turn your life upside down

    [​IMG] [​IMG][/small]
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2004
  17. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    true about the price but thats the only one that would suit my project best.
    Also for cooling I am going to remove the xbox emblem on the top (green thing) and replace it with a fan blowing air into the case. I think there are vents all around the case itself (not sure yet, im still have to receive it) so that will help with the cooling situation.
     
  18. navi95

    navi95 Regular member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2004
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    26
    ive just seen a pic of a xbox PSU and it looks like it has connector for a DVD and motherboard just like a standard PC, I was wondering how much watts it is and if it could be used for my pc/xbox project.

    Also I have just paid for a xbox case so it will be arriving soon so I can actually start working on it. I may start a new thread showing how I will construct it with pics.


     

Share This Page