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Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

rimblock — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 08:44:36 GMT

Hi,

I am building an external watercooling PC solution for myself and am looking for some advise / suggestions on the power distribution side.

I am currently dunning a Molex (4 lines, 12v & gnd + 5v & gnd) cable between the PC and my desk but I have multiple items that need that power and I would prefer a more elegant solution than chaining Molex connectors together. I am currently using multiple plastic connector blocks (the cheap diy lighting splicing ones). This works but takes up quite a bit of space and looks like a plastic starfish.

I have the following to power;

1x Pump (12v).

2x LCD displays (5v).

1x fan hub (need to check - sata connector).

1x lighting control hub (2x Sata connectors - expect 5v each).

What distribution systems / parts may be appropriate (ie. on in connector and multiple outs) are there out there ?.

Thanks

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

COMPACT — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 09:36:33 GMT

I only discovered these the other day.

http://au.element14.com/molex/172878-0002/rcpt-housing-2pos-polypropylene/dp/2723713

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

dougw — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 23:13:37 GMT

I use TE Connectivity/AMP MTA series because they are on .1" pitch and I have the tool to insert wires.

They aren't all that pretty, but they are quick and there are different colors for different wire gauges, and you can get lots of different pin counts.

http://canada.newark.com/w/c/connectors/wire-to-board-connectors/prl/results?st=MTA-100

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

rimblock — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 09:08:47 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

The key for me with the PSU power is the turn on when the PC is powered on so the cooling kicks in with out the need for alternative switches etc that the kids may miss / forget about. The load on that power feed seems ok and it is all up and running fine at the moment but is not very pretty or sustainable with the cables / connectors all over my desk hence the desire to shrink it all down (please see my reply to Douglas above)..

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

rimblock — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 09:05:38 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I fear the XLR connectors would not get around the issue of footprint.

Ideally I would like to shrink the setup so I can put it in a smallish 3d printed box. The Molex 4 pin PC connectors are quite big and a smaller solution would be preferred.

I could use a protoboard with something like a plugable 4 pin (CTB9208) to a 4 pin socket (through hole - CTB9358) to get the power on the board and then use 4 way through hole terminal blocks (31086104) but I am not sure which way to go with connecting the input to the terminal blocks (soldering cables, looking at a custom PCB, stripboard etc).

What I am after would seem to be fairly simple but I really do not have the knowledge to be able to select the right parts that will match to get it all working protoboard pitch for those components, which if any stripboard would be appropriate for 5v / 12v).

Soldering / crimping I am fine with when I have the right pieces.

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

COMPACT — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 05:01:15 GMT

Yes, cascading the Floppy Disk/Hard Disk connectors can cause unwanted voltage drops across them causing unreliability.

This may be going overboard but have you considered distributing power like Power over Ethernet? - Start with a high distribution voltage on just two wires and extract and create the required voltages at each location.

RE: Best 12v & 5v power distribution solution (PC 4 pin Molex input) ?.

dougw — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 04:08:25 GMT

Would XLR connectors fit your requirements? The are metal bayonet connectors with large pins and can be found at low cost.