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Power supplies.. any reason for the 'one per motor'?

Discussion in 'New users start here - FAQ' started by Mic_n, Apr 1, 2016.

  1. Mic_n

    Mic_n New Member

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    Still browsing the newbie stuff and trying to get a handle on concepts, so please excuse me if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but is there some reason for the seemingly universal choice of using a single (server) PSU per motor? Is there some advantage to using for example a pair of 300W PSUs to drive two 200W motors, when a single 600W would provide the same power, cheaper and more compactly? I'm thinking it'd also distribute the load a little better... one motor drawing maximum current is pushing a single PSU hard. Both motors would need to be drawing maximum current to similarly drive a single PSU, and that seems like it would be a less common scenario.

    Is there something fundamental I'm missing here? Or have I just not thought it through properly?
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Some do run just one PSU.

    However, one reason for a PSU per motor is that big worm drive motors have large draw peaks, another is that some PSUs are sensitive to fluctuations and finally server PSUs are dirt cheap and cost very little to ensure you have some capacity overhead.
  3. Mic_n

    Mic_n New Member

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    Thankya again, sir :)
  4. Joao Coutinho

    Joao Coutinho New Member

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    I drive 2 DC motors with 1 600W PSU just fine. Get a rack server PSU, they're supposed to run 24/7 and can handle spikes
  5. Goatboy

    Goatboy Member

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    Used server PSU's can be a mixed bag, if they've already had a long service life they might not be a great choice. The two HP DPS-600PB's I have, one is clearly had a tough life, doesn't matter which side it's powering it likes to shutdown and go in to protect a lot easier than the other. And it's also pumping out 0.5volts less than the other, but they're dirt cheap so I may grab a few more and try again.
  6. Troy

    Troy New Member

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    Hi

    Just quick question on the Server PSU are the fans very noisy. I have a meanwell PSU in my OSW and the fan sounds like a Jet engine.
  7. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    It depends on the model/brand but they can be, there are even some pin wiring tips for some to quieten them down a bit, as the fans don't need to run full tilt to be effective.
  8. Troy

    Troy New Member

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    Thanks for that. Ill do a bit of reading befor i buy one or three lol
  9. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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