Originally Posted by
ShadowAu
In My experience computer PSUs struggle to maintain 12v under higher loads...
...but the main issue is that more and more clubs are simply banning them as they feel they are an unnecessary danger, especially when for about $Aus60 you can get a 12v, 13A PS with short circuit protection etc etc from an electronics supply chain...
Considering the amounts we spend on some RC components ($A250+ for a speedy, $A400+ for radio gear) its seems silly to me to try and cut corners with something that could potentially kill you
I don't know what computer PSes others are using, but most modern ATX PSes have short circuit protection and many other features built in. My PS, for instance, won't even turn on if there is a short circuit.
Between that and the fact that you don't actually modify the PS in any way (just group wires), it seems silly to call them dangerous. Heck, if you didn't want to, you wouldn't even have to open up the PS case, just work on the wires. These PSes hold up for years of solid continuous use in computers. Of course, if other ppl are modifying their PSes (like putting in large resistors to keep it always-on rather than just under load), I could see them being dangerous.
Has anybody seen a well-done computer PS do something dangerous (that is, more dangerous than it already is using LiPos for instance
).
Plus, as somebody who is brand new like I am, I want to save the money for other things (for instance, I have not invested in a quality radio yet or lipos for that matter (still just running NiMH)).