Modding an ATX PSU

[elzmaddy]

I'm modifying an ATX PSU to work in a Macintosh G4 Quicksilver. That requires rearranging the wires of the PSU connector. I just notice the PSUs use different gauge wire (18Mac vs 16ATX). What would happen if I spliced different gauge wires together? Would I necessarily get a different current?

 

[phisrow]

More or less nothing would happen. The resultant wire would, assuming your splice is good, have a resistance somewhere between the resistances of the original wires. If one of the wires were radically thinner than the other, or deeply underspecced for the application, it could affect current in a noticable way(or just set fire to your computer); but those should be no problem at all.

 

[elzmaddy]

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try.

 

[Umberger]

since the Mac wiring is smaller, there should be no problem. If the wiring on the computer were larger, it might imply that the computer would draw more current than the smaller wire would be rated for (hence the larger wire) which could cause problems (probably not, though... even then it would probably be fine)

as it is, with the computer wiring being smaller, you will have no problems due to wire size.

 

[elzmaddy]

Oops. I just noticed the Mac requires +25V on two connector pins. I assume I'm out of luck on this project...