Repurpose 12V bitcoin PSUs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Cicada
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 07:24:23 am
content: Hi.I have x3 12Vdc @ 133A max PSUs that came out of bitcoin miners. See attached pictures for internals as well.I am a bit low on storage space so I am looking for things to get rid of. I have been wondering about these PSUs for a while. Are there any person here that has repurposed such power supplies? Please post what you have done with them or tell us how you would use it in a project. I will hold on to them for longer if I get better suggestions than the not so wonderful ideas that I present below.My ideas are:1. Power supply for Aluminum anodizing bath. From what I have seen you need a high current for these baths but depending on what you want to do also a variable voltage. Many cases I see from 20 to 40V. But people do anodize with 12V2. Wonder if one could build a high current low voltage welder with these supplies. Like spotwelders. Although I think the voltage might already be too high.3. This is where I get a bit unsure if what I suggest is possible. If the output of these supplies are isolated then I suppose you can put them in series and make a 24V supply? But then one of the PSUs have to sink the current which I can't see these supplies do. I actually can do with a high current 24V supply.4. Would have been neat if you can change the output voltage up by turning the single pot that I can see on the board to get a higher voltage so that you can charge 12V lead acid batteries.I see lots of these bitcoin rigs up for sale.Suppose people want to recoup their money. I got my 3 PSUs for very cheap.Please share your ideas.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 07:34:20 am
content: I use similar hot swap server PSUs to power chargers for my RC airplanes, two in series for 24V for the larger chargers. They're good for anything that takes a lot of 12V too though, testing car audio or mobile communications gear, low voltage lighting or anything else that takes 12V.

author: Cicada
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 08:15:18 am
content: Hello James.I like all your suggestions. In particular this idea.Quote from: james_s on November 19, 2020, 07:34:20 amIt would be rather convenient to test high power audio amps on the work bench.I saw that RC guys use server PSUs to charge their battery packs. I also note that they tweak the PSUs to get the output voltage above 12V to enable charging.At what output voltage is your server PSUs to enable you to charge your battery packs?Thanks a lot. Looking forward to what others suggest.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 11:28:17 am
content: i would not use them in arc welders, use an converted microwave transformer, i did that once, i had 3 volts ac at 500 amps, lots of juice to spot weld metal sheets, lots of projects on google fuuFor 12vdc applications lots of fun to have

author: Cicada
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 11:39:16 am
content: Hi coromonadalixThank you for your reply.What do you mean with this statement?Quote from: coromonadalix on November 19, 2020, 11:28:17 amThanks

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 11:46:50 am
content: If you can step adjust the voltage from 12 to 14V I'm sure these would be make great lead acid battery chargers, with 100A you can help a very flat battery to crank.I'd try to mod and make them adjustable, throw in a enclosure and leave on the bench.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 07:01:56 pm
content: Quote from: Cicada on November 19, 2020, 08:15:18 amI use 12V on my smaller chargers, higher voltage would be better but is not essential. For the chargers that support it, I have a pair of PSUs wired in series for 24V, I had to modify them by separating the DC ground from the chassis ground.