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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Does Maximite need a power supply?
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donmck Guru  Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
Does Maximite need a power supply? Well, it needs power, but an AC to DC plug pack, (Wall Wart to Cap'n Bill, and Chuck) that is plugged into the Maximite's DC in connector? Mick G. was showing Darren B. the Maximite at work. (TABCorp) Darren: Why have a plug pack? Why don't you just use an AC to DC USB adapter. They are every where, and cheap. Solid state, small, light, AC in, USB 5V@500ma to 1000ma out mostly. If you aren't using USB comms, then plug in the USB power pack. If it is down in a shed, or up in an attic, or a dungeon, you only need a lightweight USB plug pack. You will be able to buy these for years to come, from even the corner fish and chip shop, well almost. When Mick told me this, I tried to pick holes in it, but I couldn't find any. I actually did something like this yesterday, when I plugged in my Maximite to a 19" TV with a USB input. So, do we need an extra DC input jack to the Maximite? After all, if we are running heavy loads, such as Relay boards, or LED moving Message Boards, we don't draw this power from the Maximite. We have local power to these devices. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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James_From_Canb Senior Member  Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265 |
I started by using USB power, but changed to using a power supply so I could use the front switch to turn it on and off. James My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974) |
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stuarts Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 199 |
James, that is a good point. I've wondered a bit why the switch isn't connected after the usb/ext power jumper. Then the front panel switch would be able to turn the Maximite on and off when on USB power. The only thing wrong with this is that if you ran external power, the 5v regulator would always be powered although it wouldn't draw much power with no load. Stuart Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. |
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captainbill Newbie  Joined: 16/06/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 37 |
Howdy Don Yes. Bill Old school. Still interested. Head in the clouds. |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
From Arthur the movie: Hobson: Yes... You obviously have a wonderful economy with words, Gloria. I look forward to your next syllable with great eagerness. 
Cap'n Bill, no other comments? 
Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
Just adding to the power supply thread: is this cheap enough? $1.18AUD http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/USB-AC-Power-Supply-Wall-Adapter- Travel-Charger-AU-Plug-/200527522594?pt=AU_MobilePhoneAccess ories&hash=item2eb05f2b22 And that includes postage. 
Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| stuarts Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 199 |
Don, I'd love to know how much or how little electronics its got in it. I hope its more than a resistor and a diode... How much can you build and ship for $1.18? Stuart Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. |
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sparkey Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
seriously why the hell dont you guys just get a 9 nine volt torroid and a 2n3055 and run a 9 voly zenner doide with a drop down resistor and then power the maximmite then you would be able to tap of from that to any extenender board you would like too ....the 2n 3055 is good for about 5 amps if your reallyworried abot too much current just use 200Ma fuseses with any thing u run off it it in parrallell and also you could use a zenner volt drop series fuse to short the rail if it gets to high then of corse the fuse wold blow "being fast blow of corse":" and then the zenerrer wold prolly need to be replaced because it would go into short cct ...regards sparkey......i hope i exp ained this properly...regards i will post a reply in about 20 mins after i have got it right ..but i think its ok...regards sparkey ...thank you... technicians do it with least resistance |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
If it had nothing in it, how do you manufacture a case, sell it to a retailer, he then makes a profit, and posts it from HK to OZ, all for $1.18? Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| sparkey Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
soryy guys i fellasleep when i spend most of my "up time" on this site " well i do get tired " any way most of you should know how to build a pwr supply technicians do it with least resistance |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
Sorry, Sparkey, the original question isn't how do we build a power supply, but is, do we need a power supply? With USB power supplies being available for $1.18 posted. Add an AM to BM cable, and you have 5V@500ma power for the Maximite. As Stuart pointed out, (and I am almost at the point of buying one of these things just to find out), it needs to actually work. But for $5 -$10, you certainly will find one that does work. If you are running Relays, or LED displays for example, you shouldn't be drawing large loads directly from the Maximite for 2 reasons. 1) You could destroy the regulators on the Maximite board. 2) Switching relays on and off could upset the PIC32 running smoothly, and you could crash it. Large loads should always have their own power supply, and not depend on a circuit designed to run not much more than a PIC32. So if you don't really need to feed the Maximite more than what a USB port will provide, why not spend $1.18 on a power supply? OH, and an AM to BM standard cable. Note**** This is for stand alone applications without a USB comms port. When you have it plugged into a USB port, then you have your power. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| sparkey Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
and yes don we need standards otherwise we will end up wit so many variations of the origanal stuff that wereall going to be lost in the web`s of industry ... are i have one thing to say : : k:eep : it : simple : stupid: and if we stand by this we will all be able to get along together : : after all we all want the same things out of this prject::: technicians do it with least resistance |
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| sparkey Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
ok here it is in a nutshell"" :the word is luck": now having an understanding of what i am saying is : :L:labouring: :u:under: :c: correct:: ::k::knolage: : sorry i cant rember how to spell knolage an an cramoym for:luck": technicians do it with least resistance |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
[code] ----------------------------------- Purchase Details ----------------------------------- Description: USB AC Power Supply Wall Adapter Travel Charger AU Plug , Item Number 200527522594 Qty: 3 Unit Price: $1.18 AUD Total: $3.54 AUD Shipping and handling: $0.00 AUD Insurance - not offered : ---- Total: $3.54 AUD Payment: $3.54 AUD [/code] OK, I just got three of these. Curiosity. First one, I will smash with a hammer and do photos. (if needed) Second one, I will test the output. Third one, I look at and will wonder why the hell I got three of these and wasted my $3.54AUD. Or will I? Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
Sparky, google will help you out very much with your spelling it you want to spend a little time with it. I was a shocking speller when I left school, and I never worried about it, but when the first PCs came along, the opportunity was there to correct this, and that is what I did gradually over the years. try this: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=knolage With google and wikipedia, you don't need to know how to spell, in fact everything you need it at your finger tips. You need to invest a little time, that's all. Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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jman Guru Joined: 12/06/2011 Location: New ZealandPosts: 711 |
I so want to see the photos :) John |
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| stuarts Senior Member Joined: 15/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 199 |
Don, I bought 3 last night right after I saw your post. I had the same thoughts as you. Stuart Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1313 |
I now know three people who purchased three of these. Must be a message there somewhere. 
Well that's what you get for your buck. I was going to lever the cover off with a screw driver, but it fell apart in my hand with very little pressure. The idea is you remove the specs sticker on the other side, and remove the two screws under the sticker. So this one is for the rubbish bin. Haven't done anymore than check that it actually throws out +5V yet. Perhaps Stuart or Mick can give it a good going over when theirs arrive today?.
Cheers Don... https://www.dontronics.com |
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Keith @ Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 167 |
Don I'm a bit confused with the time of your message and the time on your image ... can you enlighten me. Keith The more we know, the more we know we don't know ! |
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| aargee Senior Member Joined: 21/08/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 255 |
There must be an easier way to buy two LEDs and a USB socket? For crying out loud, all I wanted to do was flash this blasted LED. |
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