Power Supply Pico PSU, not compatible with Dell Bricks?

Ma7xrk

What's an ITX?
Original poster
New User
Jan 2, 2022
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0
Hi all,


I have recently bought the parts to build an sff machine in a Lazer3D HT5 case. I have built in one of these cases before and it was absolutely great. The last time I built in the case I had no issue sourcing an hd plex 200w and a Dell 240W PA-9E Power Brick. The problem I am facing with the new build is that hdplex are showing as sold out world wide, I contacted support and they have said they have no idea when they will be back in stock due to the chip shortage (it has been a couple of months now).

I am based in the UK and looking for alternatives was very difficult as most alternatives would have to be imported from elsewhere. I finically managed to find (what I believe to be a genuine) mini-box Pico PicoPSU-160-XT purchased from a reliable site - Onlogic. This part was imported to the UK from the EU.

The PicoPSU-160-XT has arrived and I have came across a lot of constraints. The power jack is very small and mini-box have confirmed that the adapter that comes with the part doesn’t support the full 160W! They suggested buying this part but it would be over £50 for shipping and taxes. I have drawings of how this part is configured so could make one myself. See drawings here. The problem is, I also can’t find a suitable power brick around 200w that would use this connector anyway (the only one I can find is 190w on mini-box’s website (which would be expensive to post).

I am wondering if anyone would know how to create an adapter that could go from the miniFIT-JR adapter to a input 7.4MM x 5.0MM (compatible with Dell power bricks)? I already have a spare miniFIT-JR adapter so my main question would be what parts would I need to get (available in the UK) and how would it be wired? I am also unsure if there a certain type or gauge of wire required?

Alternatively if someone could point me to a suitable solution available just now in the UK that will allow me to use the full 160w and supply a bit more power to the pico than the 160w then that would suit even better.

At this point I would even take suggestions on a fully new power supply solution if there are others that would work with the HT5 case that is available in the UK just now (unfortunately flex is slightly too big for the case), I would be looking for 160w minimum.

Thanks in advance,

Mark
 

timginter

Cable-Tie Ninja
Apr 21, 2019
197
80
hi @Ma7xrk ,

I don't think Dell 240W PA-9E Power Brick will work - it's 19.5V and Pico PicoPSU-160-XT takes 12V!

Finding a 12V adapter is a bit of a pain, I tried DELL DA-2 but it was shutting down on the initial draw spike when I powered up the mobo.

Your best bet may be to look for a 12V PSU and solder the miniFIT-JR directly to it. I'd recommend checking a PSU's specifications before you buy it, that it complies with ATX spec (e.g. below 120mV ripple for 12V). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#Power_supply for more details.

Or, buy a PC PSU with min. 200W on 12V lane and make an adapter to miniFIT-JR.

If the PSU you find doesn't come with wires to splice, I use https://www.wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator-_ep_41.html to double-check wire thickness.
 
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BaK

King of Cable Management
Bronze Supporter
May 17, 2016
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Hi and welcome to the forum!

At this point I would even take suggestions on a fully new power supply solution if there are others that would work with the HT5 case that is available in the UK just now (unfortunately flex is slightly too big for the case), I would be looking for 160w minimum.
I can't help you with power bricks, maybe other members will chime in to make suggestions about that.

But as @timginter mentioned it, you can make good use of an internal 12V PSU. Here at SFFN we like and trust the MeanWell PSUs. In your case, I would suggest the RPS-200-12-C. Or the RPS-160-12, but this one is open frame.

It will be a little more complicated if you plan on adding a GPU, but with a pico 160W in mind, you build sounds more like an APU build.
You can have a look at my B01T3 (APU) and LiGHTPC (GPU) builds, they are both based on 12V PSU, links are in my sig below.
And for more general knowledge, the Guide to 12V PSU.

Edit: typo
 
Last edited:

Overtek

Airflow Optimizer
OVERTEK
Gold Supporter
May 22, 2017
305
490
www.overtek.co.uk
Hi Mark,

I can help, not in work tomorrow, but back in on Thurs.

Is it just that you need something with a 4pin ATX12V (CPU) connector to power the PicoPSU?

If it is I can sort you a solution from used/refurbed through to new. Depending on what you feel is acceptable.

Cheers