Sun V880 Power Supply

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

Hi All.

I am using my arduino to act as a light chaser for Xmas. I've got a couple of old Sun V880 power supply's to use for powering all my lights - but I can't work out how to use it. I can't find any datasheets or any info?

Does anyone know how to manually turn on this power supply and which pins output what?

The part number for the supply is 300-1353.

Note this is not a standard ATX power supply - it is a Sun Server Artesyn power supply.

Thanks in advance.

2

this one is nothing more than a random idea..
Once i tried to start a normal atx power supply but had to find out which pins on the 24pin socket to shorten (i was sooo unable to see that datasheets exist ;0)) and simply shortened them one after another.. maybe this works for you as well? Maybe when using a multimeter you could identify the various lines more easy? (IF such a socket exists for server power supplies..)

3

and simply shortened them one after another

And you've still got all your fingers? ;D

4

No, but thats a different story ;0)

5

I don't know if this applies to the "Sun V880" but this might help:
http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/POWERSUPPLY.HTM

6

Thanks for the ideas so far. I could try shorting the pins one at a time until it switches on, but there are 32 pins all up. 8 of them appear to be heavy duty/high amperage, the rest are fairly small. I guess I'll just have to give it a go. Once I get it started, then yes, i can use my multimeter to work out what is what.

7

If this power supply needs two wires shorted to turn it on, they're not likely going to be the thick ones. They are usually separate wires or one wire that shorts to ground. The thinnest wires should be your starting point. Also, not all computer power supplies need wires shorted to make them turn on. Some just require a certain minimum load to be present and they will begin to work. Although sometimes that load must be present when the power is applied.

Pay attention to the colors of the wires. They will hint to you what the wires are for. Typically red, white, yellow and orange are positive, usually brown and green are ground and commonly blue and black are negative. These are not hard, fast rules and they can be way different. But again, it gives you a starting point.

Good luck!

8

Thanks for the info - but there's no coloured wires. This power supply is a large rectangular box and the pins are fixed to the metal housing of the unit. The smaller pins are in a grid of 6 x 4. I've tried shorting different pins with no luck.