Powering water pump...

Triton · 11-21-2001, 09:40 PM

Has anyone used a 50watt 12 volt inverter to power their water pump??? I saw a 50 watt inverter with a cigarette lighter end. I figured that I could knock off the end and replace it with a 12 volt cpu plug and attach it directly to my PSU. Seems like a good idea since the pump with would start and stop with the computer. I figure if I have a 400 watt PSU it should handle the draw. Especially if I plan on only using a 1250 eheim pump.

Any experiences or thoughts on this???

mkosem · 11-21-2001, 10:10 PM

ONLY AN EHEIM 1250? hahaha, that's overkill as it is! but it's kinda rediculous to do that, you're loosing a lot of electricity and current(switching from ac to dc to ac) may as well get a relay!

--MAtt

Brad · 11-21-2001, 11:25 PM

yeah, your computer converts it from AC, to DC in the psu, then back to AC again for the pump.

Just use a relay, or connect it straight to the computer

Triton · 11-22-2001, 12:02 AM

I guess that means I would be just wasting a lot of energy and creating heat? Thanks for the replies. I am interested in the relay. However, I'm not up on what parts from radioshack I would need to go grab. A diagram would also be helpful. I know this sounds totally newbie.

Did a search for relays in the forum and read this article http://www.overclockers.com/tips242/ . I'll keep reading. But I would be grateful for any respones

Thanks guys.

gmat · 11-22-2001, 02:26 AM

Pick up a standard 12V relay. Wire the relay coil to your PSU 12V (yellow).
Then wire the 230V (110V?) from PSU power outlet (drill a hole on the side to let the wire go through) all the way to your relay switch.
Finally connect the other side of the switch to an internal plug (yep those standard wall-mounted plugs), connect the PSU black (GND) to the other connector of your internal plug.
Voila, connect the pump to the internal plug... When your ATX PSU powers up (thanx to your mobo) your pump is automagically turned on

Komic · 11-22-2001, 02:33 AM

You could also use a fan power splitter to wire up your relay's coil, this is what I did. Just cut the 3 pin connector off the end and solder the wires to the coil - works a fair treat...

deeznuts · 11-23-2001, 04:10 AM

here are some good links: http://www.overclockers.com/articles483/

http://www.voidyourwarranty.net/revi...de/index5.php3
deez

[ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: deeznuts ]

11-21-2001, 09:40 PM	#1
Triton Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Union City, CA Posts: 78	Powering water pump... Has anyone used a 50watt 12 volt inverter to power their water pump??? I saw a 50 watt inverter with a cigarette lighter end. I figured that I could knock off the end and replace it with a 12 volt cpu plug and attach it directly to my PSU. Seems like a good idea since the pump with would start and stop with the computer. I figure if I have a 400 watt PSU it should handle the draw. Especially if I plan on only using a 1250 eheim pump. Any experiences or thoughts on this??? __________________ XP1800+ Gigabyte GA-7DX 512mb Crucial 2100 watercooled with Danger Den, Eheim, 1/2" silicone tubing, and Black Ice Xtreme radiator. Liteon 24x10x40x CDRW WD80gb +30gb hard drives Liteon FS020 case and much more at http://www.jakeandkelly.com/customcomputer/index.htm

11-21-2001, 10:10 PM	#2
mkosem Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2001 Location: here Posts: 494	ONLY AN EHEIM 1250? hahaha, that's overkill as it is! but it's kinda rediculous to do that, you're loosing a lot of electricity and current(switching from ac to dc to ac) may as well get a relay! --MAtt __________________ If you can't cool it, blow it up!! http://www.mattkosem.com

11-21-2001, 11:25 PM	#3
Brad Thermophile Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Nuu Zeeelin Posts: 3,175	yeah, your computer converts it from AC, to DC in the psu, then back to AC again for the pump. Just use a relay, or connect it straight to the computer __________________ 2x P3 1100's at 1400, Abit VP6, 2x Corsair 256mb PC150 sticks, 20gb 'cuda ATA-III, 2x 40gb 'cuda ATA-IV in raid 0. 20" Trinitron. No fans 2x 2400+ at 2288mhz (16.0 x 143), Iwill MPX2, 2x Kingmax PC-3200 256mb sticks, 4x 20gb 60gxp in Raid 5 on a Promise SX6000. Asus Ti4200 320/630. Cooled by Water

11-22-2001, 12:02 AM	#4
Triton Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Union City, CA Posts: 78	I guess that means I would be just wasting a lot of energy and creating heat? Thanks for the replies. I am interested in the relay. However, I'm not up on what parts from radioshack I would need to go grab. A diagram would also be helpful. I know this sounds totally newbie. Did a search for relays in the forum and read this article http://www.overclockers.com/tips242/ . I'll keep reading. But I would be grateful for any respones Thanks guys. __________________ XP1800+ Gigabyte GA-7DX 512mb Crucial 2100 watercooled with Danger Den, Eheim, 1/2" silicone tubing, and Black Ice Xtreme radiator. Liteon 24x10x40x CDRW WD80gb +30gb hard drives Liteon FS020 case and much more at http://www.jakeandkelly.com/customcomputer/index.htm

11-22-2001, 02:26 AM	#5
gmat Thermophile Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: France Posts: 1,221	Pick up a standard 12V relay. Wire the relay coil to your PSU 12V (yellow). Then wire the 230V (110V?) from PSU power outlet (drill a hole on the side to let the wire go through) all the way to your relay switch. Finally connect the other side of the switch to an internal plug (yep those standard wall-mounted plugs), connect the PSU black (GND) to the other connector of your internal plug. Voila, connect the pump to the internal plug... When your ATX PSU powers up (thanx to your mobo) your pump is automagically turned on

11-22-2001, 02:33 AM	#6
Komic Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 20	You could also use a fan power splitter to wire up your relay's coil, this is what I did. Just cut the 3 pin connector off the end and solder the wires to the coil - works a fair treat...

11-23-2001, 04:10 AM	#7
deeznuts Cooling Savant Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: san diego Posts: 142	here are some good links: http://www.overclockers.com/articles483/ http://www.voidyourwarranty.net/revi...de/index5.php3 deez [ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: deeznuts ]

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