stupid question is it possible to run a modern pc mainboard from a split power system, 120 240 va...

[G+_Jason howe]

stupid question is it possible to run a modern pc mainboard from a split power system, 120/240 vac and 12/24vdc

 

the idea was to be able to power a pc and a few radios via a 1-2 kva psu and have it so it can be run on a 12/24 vdc power system..

 

the dc requirement for 1.8 volts extra will be supplied via a batt booster to take 12vdc to 13.8vdc

[G+_610GARAGE]

If I understand correctly, you want to run two power supplies, at different voltages, for one computer.

 

That shouldn't be a problem. Servers run two power supplies. It shouldn't matter that they run at different voltages.

[G+_Jason howe]

I wasn't sure what was possible because the batteries would be in series and a secondary power source because the power supply will also be catering for radios aswell with a dc tie in so everything will also run on an 12/24 vdc system, ac side of the the equation is only relevant when in connection with mains power..

the idea is use a pc tower mount pc into a portion of it  and mount a 4-5 radios in it, and still use the pc side of it while connected to a battery system of some type, not wanting to dc/ac convertors and ac/dc convertors..

to stepup 13.8 needed for the dc volts for the radios I was going a power gate to a battery booster to a rig runner  running an unmodified pc power supply

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Not sure what you mean by "Split". Do you mean switching or do you mean you want to share one AT/ATX power supply with a few radios to save on consumption and space.

 

Shared:

If you want to share an AT/ATX power supply then the answer is yes. I have used a single power supply to power several different pc's and peripherals on a bench, I even use a AT power supply to run lights and pumps on several aquariums (12v DC is much friendlier when it comes to water). However, this is limited to 12v not 24v so you would need to step up the voltage.

 

Just add up the watts of the devices you want to power and that will give you the wattage of the power supply you will need. If its over 500w I would suggest a server power supply. If its over 750w you may want to reconsider this. Most pc based power supplies were not really meant to handle over 750w. So if you have a generator able to supply 1 kva (assuming a power factor of 1) then you are able to supply 1000 watts AC so your good.

 

Switching:

If you mean you have a 2 kva switching power supply, then the answer is still yes. However, you will be restricted to the max rating of that switch side DC. The 2 kva is the max load of the ps, not the dc side. It will have a amp rating (most are between 2-15amp) so you are looking at a max of 1800 watts.

 

The switching power supply is a better solution. When using kva you need to know the power factor rating so I'm not sure what equipment you are trying to use.

 

Did I understand your question Jason howe or am I out in left field?

[G+_Jason howe]

mixing battery power with ac power

idea of the setup is to power a pc and a few radios  though the dc side of the equation is a pure battery solution when power is lost running a dc power solution to power a pc and a few radios

it is a pc chassis with a pc and 4-5 radios mounted in hdd bays.. 

power gate and batt booster used on the radio side of the connection...

[G+_Keith Mallett]

ok so you want to use an ATX power supply then? You should be fine. Do you have the wattage ratting of the radios?

[G+_Jason howe]

to power a few radios and a pc with dc reserve power...

powerws with a 1-2kw power supply, using a battery booster to delivery the 12-13.8 vdc constant, my domestic power system is 240vac i added 120 there because there places wher people may operate on 110/120 vac power, 12/24VDC deals with vehicle deployment and battery backup operation.. pc side also has to boot up into this usable systems also... tthus is the reason why i asked if if is was possible to run a modern pc tower on a 120/240 vac (where applicable) and 12/24 vdc power systems.

 

the dc side doesn't use power converters to run 120/240 vac appliances dc straight to car battery and/or battery bank...

 

to answer watt output of the radios, 4-100 watts pending on the radio being used

[G+_Jason howe]

was looking at the looking at the btechs in the tri band range with 220included

 

or  go the yaesu route not sure yet

[G+_Ben Reese]

I really don't know why you couldn't combine these circuits and it sounds like you had vehicle use in mind. I wouldn't connect the batteries directly to the PSU voltage though. A direct connection would feed voltage back into the batteries from the PSU which might be ok, but probably not a desired result. It almost sounds like you want a UPS built directly into the PC power supply.

[G+_Jason howe]

The idea is have it usable on both 240 mains and 12/24 volt DC for the radios, with a batt booster supplying the 13.8 volt requirements

 

 

PC and radio do the DC component battery of either car or batt bank

 

 

Just trying to work out if it was possible to do a DC power option for the mainboard.. From a battery without going through the the trouble of adding the cost of 12/24 volt inverter to cater for the 240 mains for the PC side of the build

 

I wasn't thinking about AC charging at the time via the atx power supply, given my main concern was powering from 12/24 volt DC to both the radios an the PC main board, and to whether not a DC switch would have to be made to power the main board....

 

As for the atx power that is primarily for use where AC is available

 

The idea is to have a complete PC and monitor system running either on 24/12 VDC or 120/240 VAC mains... Which can be used in a vehicle or run from a battery bank...

Well that was the idea anyway...?

 

Monitor real estate is 3-8 Toshiba tv's models designed to to run off mains and 12/24 volt power system..

[G+_Jason howe]

Keith Mallett DC power switching from a DC power source is what I'm on about hopefully that clears up the misconception of what I was trying to do.

 

I was needing also power the PC via 12/24 volt battery system

[G+_Jason howe]

Ben Reese, no not quite but but close, the DC option was there to purely drive the radios through a power gate I would also had the idea, to run ham radio programs via Windows/Ubuntu/Linux distribution..

 

Ironically what gave me this idea of a DC power solution was ham radio, though the server case idea came from YouTube vid on 1cpu 7 players.

 

This isn't a ups in a sense of there is no AC convertor/inverter in use to power the AC, the DC is a reserve power and mobile power option plugged into a sig lighter or Anderson power pole.. (When in a vehicle)

 

I never thought of using the atx PSU as a charging when mains were available to use ..

 

The DC power to run 240vac would be more than afford at this stage of service ..

 

Most of the time it is going to be a portable rig ...

 

Hopefully that addresses your questions I know my last long comment was really addressed to nobody in particular

The chassis might be mounted within a 6-12 ru gator case..

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Very cool. You should be able to do what you want. Not much different then what I'm working on with my camper, trying to get everything on 12 or 24v except the microwave an the A/C.

 

Take some pics when you are up and running.

[G+_Jason howe]

My biggest issue is finding a DC atx power supply and Main board power switch that functions like a power gate