I need power

**dadams14** · 03-30-2008, 07:50 AM

I built the grinch , now how do I hook up power from the computer. Open up the back and use my volt meter to find the right connector.. Where can I get the connector to hook up to it. ?
I have the same question for the 12volts I need for the fm transmitter. I would like the connector to be polairized so I cannot hook it up wrong for next year.. Can anybody shed light on this?
To further explain:
The grinch document explains where to bring the 5v into pin 1 of the rj45 (see below) but I don't see it on the parallel port ?
What did everyone else do?

Powering the GRINCH

The GRINCH requires an external power source to operate. The normal voltage requirement for a single GRINCH would be 5 VDC at about 1 Amp. There are two options for applying power to the GRINCH.

* Option 1: Apply the external power directly to J2, pin 1 – 5 VDC and pin 2 – GND

* Option 2: Bring external power in via the RJ45 IN connector on pin 1 (5 VDC) and pin 3 (GND). With this method you would also need to place a shunt (jumper) on J1.

Thanks in advance

**dnesci** · 03-30-2008, 09:19 AM

As far as a connector, I cut one off of an old CPU fan. It connects into a power supply plug that is used for the hard/floppy drives. The Red wire is +5, the Yellow wire is +12 and the Black is ground. Using these wires, you should not have a problem reversing the connectors. Getting the power from the computer is the easiest and safest as the power will be filtered and regulated.

My preference is option 2 because I have several filtered external power supplies. Additionally, I use this power source for LED indicator lights. If you go this route, be sure to use a regulated and filtered power supply. Most wall warts will not work. If the power is not regulated, the chips on the Grinch could fry. If the power is not filtered, the fluctuating amperage could effect the porformance of the Grinch.

**scorpia** · 03-30-2008, 05:04 PM

If you want power for a grinch you could consider phil's now Power supply design.

there is a group buy about to start off soon so now might be a good time to look into it.

also it does allow easy migration to a renard design as well.

Peter

**P. Short** · 03-30-2008, 08:41 PM

I just finished assembling the board from Wayne, I'll test it later today or tomorrow.

--

Phil

**gizmo** · 04-03-2008, 12:29 AM

I just got my first GRINCH soldered with 5 SSRs and want to try out vixen (looking for some instant reward).

Please answer in the most non tecno talk as possible, Im new at this and worse- know nothing about computers.

can someone answer these questions?

Will my show computer be able to power one grinch ( comp is about 3 yrs old)? If yes I do have to ability to open the comp and find a unused 5v plug.

Will it be able to power 2 grinches (thats my goal)?

When and if I decide to dim will i need to go to an external power supply?

Thanks in advance
scott