Pico PSU advice
#1
I've just ordered a Pico 12V 120W DC-DC PSU, but have no idea what kind of power adapter I can get away with.
Any advice on the cheapest power brick?

I've seen a few on ebay, but just wanted the advice of you guys before I fry my new htpc Smile
Thanks.
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#2
You can order it from here- picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit

If you want just the power brick, you can get this one- 102w (12v/8.5A) AC-DC Power Adapter with Power Cord
>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#3
If you want a cheap one, I've had good luck with the "Kinamax 72W 12V 6A adapter for LCD monitors" available on Amazon.

Just know the maximum amperage rating of the 5.5mm barrel jack on the picoPSU is 8.5A (102W / 12V). If you need more, get the 4-pin mini-DIN connector from mini-box and get a 4-pin power supply that matches. IIRC, they sell the 4-pin mini-DIN "mini-fit JR" jack separately. That'll only get you 18W more though so not sure it'd be worth the hassle.

I'll have a few new 84W 12V AC adapters available soon.


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#4
to use the full 120w,
u'll need a 12v 10a adapter filthycatbox...
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#5
Great, thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna go with this one from eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-10A-120W-A...2653wt_952

I'm still a little confused with the DC-DC of the PSU and the AC-DC of the adapter. No problem there...?
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#6
(2012-05-10, 22:20)filthycatbox Wrote: Great, thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna go with this one from eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-10A-120W-A...2653wt_952

I'm still a little confused with the DC-DC of the PSU and the AC-DC of the adapter. No problem there...?
You'll be fine.......it designed and made for it.....

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#7
I'd read somewhere that the max amperage rating on the 2.5mm*5.5mm jack was 8.5A. I will try to find the information again. A 120W 12V adapter would be 10A so that would exceed the spec for the jack and possibly create a hazard (melt? fire?). If I can find it I'll post it.

[Edit]
Found it. "Input current should not exceed 8A. For current higher loads, we suggest using a 2x2 mini-FIT JR as an input connector." It's actually in the 150W picoPSU manual and it's talking about the wiring harness with the 2.5mm*5.5mm barrel jack. So, maybe it's 8A, not 8.5A which I'd assumed since the largest single pin AC adapter they sell is 102W.

http://resources.mini-box.com/online/PWR...manual.pdf



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#8
(2012-05-10, 22:01)bluray Wrote: You can order it from here- picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit

If you want just the power brick, you can get this one- 102w (12v/8.5A) AC-DC Power Adapter with Power Cord

Dont!!!

DONT BUY!!!

102W Power Brick from mini-box has a small FAN inside that kicks in at high loads!!

very noisy!!!

Follow Beer40 is you want a pico psu
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid...pid1100490
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#9
(2012-05-11, 07:03)eskro Wrote:
(2012-05-10, 22:01)bluray Wrote: You can order it from here- picoPSU-150-XT + 102W Adapter Power Kit

If you want just the power brick, you can get this one- 102w (12v/8.5A) AC-DC Power Adapter with Power Cord

Dont!!!

DONT BUY!!!

102W Power Brick from mini-box has a small FAN inside that kicks in at high loads!!

very noisy!!!

Follow Beer40 is you want a pico psu
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid...pid1100490

My brother owns one with a fan inside.... that thing hisses.... when he is playing WOW .....
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#10
cant stand hissing sounds....
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#11
Indeed, it would defeat the whole silent purpose of buying the thing. The flex psu of the Lian Li that I bought is too much for me already (as well as the electrical saving as I have it on 24/7) so the one I posted earlier seems to be without any fan.

I see from that thread that I may need the molex to p4 cable. Why the hell don't they include this in the item? I hadn't even realised the molex connector.

Thanks a lot guys.
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#12
If you prefer fanless, here are your choices-

picoPSU-120 DC-DC 120W PSU + AC-DC 12V 10A 120W Adapter

picoPSU-150-XT DC-DC 150W PSU/AC-DC 12V 12.5A Adapter

Premium picoPSU-160-XT w/AC-DC 12V 192W 16A switching adapter

>Alienware X51- do it all HTPC
>Simplify XBMC configurations
>HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC
I refused to watch movie without bitstreaming HD audio!
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#13
that Member id 321short-circuit seller has its own website too,,,

check in my HTPC guide bluray for picoPSU's...

i posted a link to it.
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#14
I have bought from 321short-circuit on eBay and I've been 100% happy with them.

This looks like a nice kit:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/picoPSU-90-12V-7...0834084341

With a system that uses an APU, 1 or 2 HDDs, ODD and even a few USB components you'd be hard pressed to max that out. I could not max out a 84W AC adapter with even a HD5450 GPU dropped in.
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#15
damn right Dougie Fresh!

but that 90W pico combo looks FTW!
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