Sensibly Powering DC Technology?

splatnet asks: "Having upgraded my PC to a Mac Mini all my IT kit is now DC. The Mini, my flatscreen, external USB HDD, USB DVD writer, JBL speakers, ADSL/Wireless Router. I have practically the same amount of space taken up for transformers as I do computer equipment! Has anyone found/invented a way to power multiple DC devices (all with slightly different power requirements)? I'm thinking in terms of space/convenience/running costs etc." It would be neat if there was a DC power source that could be tuned to a specific voltage, as well as modular plugs to fit your various devices. Is there anything out there that comes close?

Dupe

[Game Genie]

This has been discussed before [slashdot.org]. That being said, good luck. Having read the last discussion, I think you'll need it.

Yes

[infernalC]

Your typical PC AT power supply comes very close. It outputs 12V and 5V DC (most of what you need) and can handle a lot of current if it isn't a cheapo. Go to Radio Shack, get some plugs and some solder and have fun.

You're asking for Trouble!

[ka9dgx]

You've got all sorts of equipment, with all sorts of hidden assumptions about what ground means. In the best case scenario, you actually have no weird assumptions, or nasty surges when devices get turned on, and it all works.

I've learned, the hard way, that the coaxial power plugs used on most devices these days will temporarily SHORT when you plug them it, which means, at a minimum, a separate current limited regulator for each plug.

Accept the things you cannot change, this is one of them.

--Mike--

Forget it

[duffbeer703]

If you follow some of the posters here and solder yourself a custom power regulator for everything you own, and it subsequently burns your house down, you will get $0 from your insurance company when they figure it out.

More likely solution

[cybereal]

The electrical aspect of this problem makes it, shall we say, untenable. So, I suggest solving the problem in an architectural way. Suppose you develop a form factor for transformers, where the plug from the transformer to the AC source is not attached directly to the transformer, something common on laptop ac adapters. The plug itself is removable and OEM's can provide varying sizes for your needs. And the connector on the transformer for the power cable (AC Source) is standardized so that someone could make a 'rack' of sorts to plug that transformer into directly (with cooling space and so forth). Size variation needed by larger applications would work just like rackmount cases, in unit format i.e. 1u for your mac mini, 3u for your 500 watt 7.1 digital surround processor and receiver.

The problem I have is with the powerstrips and their utter lack of a good transformer solution. I'll get around to this one day but I intend to get a series of short (3-6") extension cables to make it so one power strip will hold all of my various transformers. Then I'll probably just hang them somewhere on the side of my desk or tie them together with those nifty little velcro strips.

Another wish of mine is that everyone would use the same stupid form factor for transformers. If you look at Apple's transformer it's perfect for the usual powerstrip configuration, same thing with Nokia's latest charger adapters. They are no wider than the regular plugs out there and they grow in such a direction that you can put them side by side without issue. Now one example where they came close but completely screwed up is Linksys. At least some of their products have this thin power adapter that looks a lot like it would be great on powerstrips but it's turned 90 degrees. This provides excellent wall plug support but that's really not where you should be plugging these in! Now, if they used this format and made it so the blades could be rotated 90 degrees then it would probably be my favorite.

*sigh* sorry for the book.