PC PSU (switch mode) to power invertor?

Skree · 4 Apr 2008 at 13:23

From remembering my electronic studies, a good PC psu is Switch Mode which IIRC by switching on and off many times per second reduces the overall power drain of devices attatched to them.

What i need to know is could a 12-240v invertor be wired to a suitably powerful PC PSU - say a 350w invertor on a PSU with 420w on the 12v rail, to mean it drains less than 350w in total? Would it be bad for any of the components?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question - It's a long time since i studied this stuff...

EDIT: its not going to be for that much power - Just looking at 300w invertors - would be well within their capabilities as i'm probably going to run 180w from the invertor and possibly 30w at direct 12v from the psu.. 210w total

Adam_151 · 4 Apr 2008 at 13:40

To achieve what exactly?

pray tell, whats the purpose of converting 230ac to 12v dc and then converting it back again?

Skree · 4 Apr 2008 at 13:54

To utilise the switch mode part without damaging the end component. I don't think they can be run directly off SMP..

Adam_151 · 4 Apr 2008 at 15:54

Sorry, you are making very little sense

What is it you wish to run, and what voltage does it require?

Nick644622 · 4 Apr 2008 at 20:07

Skree said:
From remembering my electronic studies, a good PC psu is Switch Mode which IIRC by switching on and off many times per second reduces the overall power drain of devices attatched to them.

What i need to know is could a 12-240v invertor be wired to a suitably powerful PC PSU - say a 350w invertor on a PSU with 420w on the 12v rail, to mean it drains less than 350w in total? Would it be bad for any of the components?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question - It's a long time since i studied this stuff...

EDIT: its not going to be for that much power - Just looking at 300w invertors - would be well within their capabilities as i'm probably going to run 180w from the invertor and possibly 30w at direct 12v from the psu.. 210w total

If you are after energy saving the whole idea is badly flawed, unless that is you are using wind or solar power to charge a 12V battery to run a PC for a few moments. Even then I can predict far more trouble than it is worth.