AC adapter to 12V DC 4pin Molex Connector

[Neogearzx]

What I am looking for is an adapter I can plug into a wall outlet that will power objects that normally required to plug into a computers PSU molex connector.

So far, this is all I have found
AC adapter to 12V DC 4pin Molex Connector: CrazyPC Computers

pics:
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...m/2530f61c.jpg

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...m/7009f5fa.jpg


The purpose I am looking for these are that I want to hook up some cold cathode lights to my desk as they are a decent source of light with very minimal desk space taken up, I plan on mounting them on a shelf right above my monitor or maybe behind it some how as an ambient light.
Here are the lights
Amazon.com: 12" DUAL WHITE COLD CATHODE LIGHT KIT MOD CASE CCFL ULTRA BRIGHT 12V 12 INCHES PC COMPUTER LIGHT: Electronics

The thing is- I don't know if I should trust the site where I found the AC adapter to 12V DC 4pin Molex Connector ( AC adapter to 12V DC 4pin Molex Connector: CrazyPC Computers )

SO - I'm wondering if A) Anyone here has any experience with these sellers, B) If anyone knows of another store I can just buy this from, or C) Some other Do-It-Your-Self project that will give me the same results.

AND - If theres just another simpler approach or I just totally got the wrong idea about this and it just wont work for some reason, that kind of info is also welcomed lol.

[testdummy]

Newegg appears to have the same exact adapter for less:
Newegg.com - 1ST PC CORP. ACDC-12V AC wall jack to 12V DC 4pin Molex Adapter - Adapters & Gender Changers

[mootsfox]

You can just make an extension cord...

I made a ~4ft one to go from the back of my computer (where a 4pin male is sticking out fo the PCI slots) up behind my desk to my 120mm fan that I have to cool my hand.

Cheaper and less to plug in than buying a converter to power ~4w.

If you actually need it, just buy it from Newegg, it's cheaper there, though CrazyPC is a decent store.

[Solefald]

if you have an old power supply lying around you could use that, since that's basically what that adapter is.

[Neogearzx]

You can just make an extension cord...

I made a ~4ft one to go from the back of my computer (where a 4pin male is sticking out fo the PCI slots) up behind my desk to my 120mm fan that I have to cool my hand.

Cheaper and less to plug in than buying a converter to power ~4w.

If you actually need it, just buy it from Newegg, it's cheaper there, though CrazyPC is a decent store.

Well, I'm on a laptop these days >.> So that wouldnt work.
Plus I want lighting to be present even when my computer isn't the desk is used for a number of things not just computing.

The extra power supply idea would work, but that seems like its drawing a lot of power just to light up the place. And wouldnt I still need a motherboard to be turned on to actually turn on the power?

[mootsfox]

if you have an old power supply lying around you could use that, since that's basically what that adapter is.

You might need to load it. The store bought 12v adapter is simpler in that.

Well, I'm on a laptop these days >.> So that wouldn't work.
Plus I want lighting to be present even when my computer isn't the desk is used for a number of things not just computing.

The extra power supply idea would work, but that seems like its drawing a lot of power just to light up the place. And wouldn't I still need a motherboard to be turned on to actually turn on the power?

A PSU only draws what it needs. It's a common mistake to think a 500w PSU draws 500w with any sort of load. For lights, you're looking at closer to 10w from the wall. An internal PSU is actually probably more efficient than a standalone converter.

For any internal PSU before ATX2.0, you'll need to load the 5v/3.3v rails with a dummy load. This could be as simple as throwing a fan on just the 5v rail and a small resistor on the 3.3v rail. You might not actually need a load on the 3.3v rail, it's been awhile since I've done this...

You will need something on the 5v if you're NOT using a ATX 2.0 PSU. If you go to a store and buy one of the cheaper new PSUs, it will be 2.0.

As for power, the PSU gets it's signal to power on from the motherboard. You'll need to connect the green (usually green, pin location 14) to ground, which is any of the black wires.

Also note that even a cheap PSU will give you fairly solid voltages (11.7 to 12.3v). That adapter probably goes from about 10v to 13v depending on the load. It also maxes out at 60w and only provides 12v. A PSU provides 200-400w of 12v power as well as 5v and 3.3v power, AND the ability to run at 7v, 17v or 24v if you wish in smaller amounts.

[Minions]

You might need to load it. The store bought 12v adapter is simpler in that.



A PSU only draws what it needs. It's a common mistake to think a 500w PSU draws 500w with any sort of load. For lights, you're looking at closer to 10w from the wall. An internal PSU is actually probably more efficient than a standalone converter.

For any internal PSU before ATX2.0, you'll need to load the 5v/3.3v rails with a dummy load. This could be as simple as throwing a fan on just the 5v rail and a small resistor on the 3.3v rail. You might not actually need a load on the 3.3v rail, it's been awhile since I've done this...

You will need something on the 5v if you're NOT using a ATX 2.0 PSU. If you go to a store and buy one of the cheaper new PSUs, it will be 2.0.

As for power, the PSU gets it's signal to power on from the motherboard. You'll need to connect the green (usually green, pin location 14) to ground, which is any of the black wires.

Also note that even a cheap PSU will give you fairly solid voltages (11.7 to 12.3v). That adapter probably goes from about 10v to 13v depending on the load. It also maxes out at 60w and only provides 12v. A PSU provides 200-400w of 12v power as well as 5v and 3.3v power, AND the ability to run at 7v, 17v or 24v if you wish in smaller amounts.

Keep in mind most PSU's you find will not be rated for such low amount of watage, meaning it may not run all that well. I still think any psu u'd find would work, if you had one sitting around, but either will work.

[mootsfox]

Keep in mind most PSU's you find will not be rated for such low amount of watage, meaning it may not run all that well. I still think any psu u'd find would work, if you had one sitting around, but either will work.

Just keep a load on it and you'll be fine. It's true that PSUs run better closer to ~50% of their capacity, but I still think it would be better than a $12 transformer.

[Furtwangler]

I've done the same thing at my friends house with the home theater and have 4 sets of cold cathode lights hooked up. There's two ways that seem to be the best way to go about this.

1) Get a PSU like people have suggested. If you have a newer PSU all you'll have to do is short 2 pins on the motherboard connector to turn it on (If you were handy enough you could make it a switch and not just use wires.

2) I used to work at a radioshack so I got a hold of some 12v power supplies they sell there with their Adapta-plugs. Any kind 12v supply will work that's over like .2A (200mA). You may find you have one laying around from some electronic device that is broken/lost.
The molex connector will eventually just turn into a positive and negative wire that goes to the lights and you can just connect that to the power supply/possibly with a switch in line.

[mootsfox]

I've done the same thing at my friends house with the home theater and have 4 sets of cold cathode lights hooked up. There's two ways that seem to be the best way to go about this.

1) Get a PSU like people have suggested. If you have a newer PSU all you'll have to do is short 2 pins on the motherboard connector to turn it on (If you were handy enough you could make it a switch and not just use wires.

2) I used to work at a radioshack so I got a hold of some 12v power supplies they sell there with their Adapta-plugs. Any kind 12v supply will work that's over like .2A (2000mA). You may find you have one laying around from some electronic device that is broken/lost.
The molex connector will eventually just turn into a positive and negative wire that goes to the lights and you can just connect that to the power supply/possibly with a switch in line.

.2A is 200mA. Otherwise, yeah.

[Furtwangler]

Yea sorry, edited that. Was in a rush to get to class and didn't think about it.

[Solefald]

edit: n/m