can i run a motor directly from my pc's psu....

Skree · 23 Jan 2012 at 18:26

... whilst the pc is on?

the voltages are about right, and there's 42 amps on my 480w Tagan PSU's 5v rail - to a combined max of 400w with the 12v rail.. and it's only an old school mobile athlon (socket A) rig so there's power to spare..

but i'm worried about electrical noise created by the motor maybe getting back on the 5v line (the one i'll be using) and crashing my pc or worse.. it's my only real pc at the moment and although it's ancient i can't afford to pop something.. this i need help with?

the motor is a little dc brushed unit from an old 4.5vdc philishave, if that makes a difference, i need that relatively (for the package size) high torque.. lol.. i know this motor is capable of handling 5v because i've run it on a 2s Lipo battery (7.4v nominal) and it doesn't get too warm

Tealc · 23 Jan 2012 at 18:31

Switch mode power supplies are already electrically noisy so I doubt adding a little dc brushed motor would make much difference. Besides pc fans have motors too (although they are brushless typically) and so do hard drives (not sure what type these are though).

What are you going to use it for? Not shaving I hope. Maybe some cool mod or something?

Skree · 23 Jan 2012 at 20:33

power source (with the use of a little reduction gearbox) for moving parts of a steampunk themed case.. but if it goes well I may indeed use it for shaving lol if only to be able say 'my 6+ year old pc is the win.. it won't make me a cuppa but i can shave with it'

lmao

notthemilkybark · 23 Jan 2012 at 23:10

I'm starting to see where that signature is coming from...

Skree · 24 Jan 2012 at 00:39

LOL you're the first person to pick up on that believe it or not.. i know how to waterproof connections though so it's all good on that front.. the motor will take it i just didn't want to risk blowing my cpu or mobo or one of the other really sensitive parts of my rig.. these old DFI infinities were REAL flaky with voltages.

The only time i've ever actually set something electrical or electronic on fire, i did it with petrol (emachines celeron)