Build your own power supply!  …An instruction manual to modify an ATX power supply from Hapyman

By OverMachoGrande
Dec 04, 2008

This is HUGE!  If there is one problem that we all share in the “world of laser helmets”, it’s that finding the correct power supply can be very difficult sometimes. 

The amps that our diodes require can really add up, especially when you have a couple of hundred diodes.  Frankly, there aren’t many types of power supplies that can handle that many amps that are ready-made for us to buy.  The few that *are* available aren’t always available internationally, they are often backordered, and the price isn’t always the most affordable.

The solution?  BUILD YOUR OWN!  Thanks to Hapyman, we now have the instructions to modify computer ATX power supplies to suit our needs, and pretty inexpensively, too.  The main benefits are that you can get them in any country that sells computer parts and it will most likely greatly surpass all of the power requirements that anyone would require.  Plus, these are VERY reliable power supplies that run really “clean” and “well regulated” with no power spikes… something very important for ensuring maximum performance and a long lifespan for our diodes!

Here are the downloadable instructions: Build Your Own Power Supply - Downloadable PDF

...and here is a link to the full instructions, which are located in the “Supplies” section: “Build your own power supply by modding an ATX!  -Complete instructions by Hapyman”

These instructions also reference another blog I made in which I describe how to make the “main cord” out of an extension cord, which is here: “Re-introducing the “Hapyman” 15 amp power supply!  ...a computer ATX that you can modify YOURSELF!”

See, in regards to that last link… we have to do it a little differently with these bigger ATX (and also the MeanWell) power supplies in order to retain our “independence” and still be able to move around:  When you have a small adapter, you can just use an extension cord attached to the adapter and have a long range of movement because the small adapter can “come with you”.  However, since these ATX power supplies are to big to be mobile, you need a long, THICK cord that goes in between the helmet and the power supply (rather than between the power supply and the wall) that can support all of the amps that your diodes need.  The cheapest, easiest, and “best looking” source is probably a high-amp extension chord, in which you modify according to that blog… it’s as easy as that!

So, yes, I’ve been using one of these modded ATX power supplies since August 2008 that Hapyman was kind enough to make for me, and I think it’s amazing.  No problems at all, and all of my diodes are as bright as they can be -even when all three zones are simultaneously lit.  Mine has the capability of TWENTY AMPS -a total of 666 diodes- which gives my current 217 diodes (which will be upgraded to 255 at some point) plenty of headroom!  I know that there will be inquiries to whether or not Hapyman will be selling them, and I will update that information here if he decides to sell them in any sort of volume.  I hope he does, because I’m sure there will be a big demand.  ...Although let me stress, you *do* have the ability to do this!  No, I haven’t made one myself yet, but I’ve seen the inside of mine and I’ve looked over the instructions and it seems VERY straightforward. If you can wire a diode, you can mod an ATX!

So, with this addition to the OverMachoGrande.com site, I really feel that it’s getting close to being “complete”.  This was a huge missing piece of the puzzle that is now in place!  All that is really needed is me making instructions on how to make a $250 “Laser Messiah Jr.”, which I may or may not ever get around to! lol…

Anyway, thanks again, Hapyman!!! The WORLD needed this!

-O.M.G.

PS- All sorts of models of ATX power supplies will work, but the model I have is the exact one described in Hapyman’s instructions -the NSpire NSP-250P4, OUTPUT 250W, Switching Power Supply.  I have no clue whether this model is commonly found or even priced the same compared to models with similar specs.  The main thing you need to look for is the maximum amps under the “3.3 volts” sections.  No, you don’t necessarily need 20 amps like I have… obviously half that will suffice in most cases!

Here is a picture of the label with the specs from his instructions in case you want to compare it to other models to try to find the best deal possible: