which power supply is better?

[klx300r]

I have two A500 power supplies and was wondering if the older much heavier model is better or worse than the newer much lighter model :?: i.e which one do you think has better parts or dissipates heat better/ is generally better built etc....

[TheCorfiot]

Switch mode supplies, ie the lighter one can be more efficient.

It's a case of power requirements..

I've recently switched to the lighter type because if you check out the Current outputs (underneath the PSU)
The new is rated at 4.5Amps for 5V against the older one at 3 Amps.

Which suits my upgraded A1200 much better.

The older type probably gets warmer too due to the transformer.
But at the end of the day if it works!

[klx300r]

hey great points The Corfiot

was asking cause I now use the lighter one for my A1200 with my much adored Blizzard 030@50 & @ 2 GB CF

[Zetr0]

@klx300r

wow, you get around more than me , strange... i am thinking of lemon pie.... wierd... OH yes...

the CF card will draw a LOT LESS POWER than the original HD's so you have saved some there!

[klx300r]

@ Zetr0

hehe some days more than others

[Jope]

The heavier psu will usually be able to provide more current.

But why ask us? Use your eyes and eyeball the type plates on the bottom of the power supplies. They clearly tell you how many amps each power rail can provide. Take the one which does more.

[TheCorfiot]

Originally Posted by Jope

The heavier psu will usually be able to provide more current.

But why ask us? Use your eyes and eyeball the type plates on the bottom of the power supplies. They clearly tell you how many amps each power rail can provide. Take the one which does more.

Jope believe it or not the lighter type does 4.5A @ 5V, the Heavier old type 3A @5V.
But as you quite rightly say Read the underneath Spec on the PSU

[Jope]

You started off in the wrong track there by assuming that there are only two kinds of A500 PSU.

Heavy psu (this one came with my first A500 that was smuggled from the UK, came without a power plug as your appliances often tend to):
Made 4-89
+5V 4.3A
+12V 1.0A
-12V 0.1A
PN: 312503-02
Singapore

Another PSU, this one doesn't have it's innards left so I can't tell whether it's heavy or light (moulded shuko plug, bought in Finland):
12-87
+5V 2.5A
+12V 1.0A
-12V 0.1A
PN: 312503-03
Singapore

And I found another heavy one, same PN as before but this has the power switch in the corner instead of in the middle. (also moulded shuko/Finland)
21.Feb.1991
+5V 2.5A
+12V 1.0A
-12V 0.1A
PN: 312503-03
W.Germany

I used to have more, but I've given them away with many A500s.

There are at least 4-5 different 220V A500 PSUs, so come on everyone, read out those specs from your PSUs and mention whether they're heavy or light.

[TheCorfiot]

Jope...

You learn something everyday........

Cheers

[ganralf]

I was suprised by the low ratings of the last two PSUs you mention, grabbed the A500's PSU and noticed that I have the same made in Singapore type except that it's made in 1-88.
The A1200's PSU (actually A600) seems to be heavier, here its data:
+5V 3.0A
+12V 0.5A
-12V 0.1A
PN: 365212-03

So much for the idea of the A500's PSU as a perfect replacement when the A1200's will not suffice anymore.

BTW the A1200's PSU has enough power to drive my A1200 with an Apollo 1230@40Mhz+FPU, 32 MB Fast RAM, internal SD/FF, 6GB 2,5" HD and sometimes an external FD with no problems at all

[Stedy]

Hi,

My list is here:
http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Amiga/am...Supply_ratings

The lighter, switchmode ones are best and should be more efficient than the transformer based ones. Then again power factor correction (PFC) may not have been around back then. I'll have to get out the Watt/power factor meter!

Ian

[Chain]

PSU table:
http://chain.3dgrafika.cz/joomla/ind...geda&Itemid=89

data collected from our board members

[Zetr0]

@Stedy

those power ratings are damn handy!!!

I also like the current draw with the adapter cards (blizzy 030 and apollo 040) comparison... very interesting