USB Stuff

[Scott Stevens]

On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 18:33:20 -0700 (PDT)
Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote:

> On Thu, 29 Sep 2005, Tony Duell wrote:
> > Whule I can see the point of taking power from the computer for an
> > interface converter, keyboard, mouse, something like that, wouldn't
it be
> > simpler if devices like the aquarium, light, etc had their own mains
> > adapters? Or is a computer now regarded as simpler than a 5V PSU?
> 
> Are modern machines good for anything ELSE?
> How well do they do that?
> I'm not sure that I'd trust modern machines with anything that
> needed precise regulated voltage.
> 

There are Middle-era PC Clone machines that are pretty much only useful
as power supplies.  A few times when I've needed quick-and-dirty 12
volts I have taken an old clone supply and tapped into the yellow and
black of a drive cable connector.  The only thing is, the PC switchers
won't start up and regulate properly without a nominal load on the 5
volt line.  So  you plug in and duct tape an old 3-1/2" hard drive to
the power supply and use it as a 'dummy load.'

I've used such contrivances for example, as the power source for an old
'286 laptop that I didn't have the power adaptor for.