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Power connector for Prusa MINI+ - upgrading power supply  

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encbar5
(@encbar5)
New Member
Power connector for Prusa MINI+ - upgrading power supply

I would like to put a larger power supply to the MINI (I'm looking at something like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0146IAXYO/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=AMNTPWSAB5H0S&psc=1 that has 15A) so that I can power not only the MINI, but also LEDs for the enclosure, and eventually maybe a RPi off of the same supply (different voltage, I know, but I can solve that with buck converter).

The issue I'm running in to is I don't know how to find what the 4-pin connector is called that connects the power to the buddy board. I'd rather not have to chop off the connector from the stock PSU if I don't have to. Does anyone know what the specification for that connector size is so I can search for it, or where I can find one?

Also open to suggestions/experiences on upgrading the power supply. Do I need to be concerned about power signal quality of other power supplies, or do you think it's ok grabbing a switching transformer made in China and it will work fine for the Prusa?

Posted : 12/07/2022 11:53 pm
Judas
(@judas)
Trusted Member
RE: Power connector for Prusa MINI+ - upgrading power supply

I purchased a power supply just like that one, but with a different name on it. They are all the same inside, and when I took it apart I found shockingly bad quality. The big capacitors had broken solder joints on them, and they were literally dented in by half of their width as if they were crushed. I would not ever consider connecting one of those to anything that I care about. I hooked up a tiny section of 12 volt led strip lights, 3 led in total to the supply and I could smell the transformer getting hot. The power rating they claim is not even close to what you can actually expect to see. 

Posted : 13/07/2022 5:28 am
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE:

Mini PSU connector

wbr,

Karl

Posted by: @encbar5

The issue I'm running in to is I don't know how to find what the 4-pin connector is called that connects the power to the buddy board. I'd rather not have to chop off the connector from the stock PSU if I don't have to. Does anyone know what the specification for that connector size is so I can search for it, or where I can find one?

 

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 13/07/2022 10:07 am
encbar5
(@encbar5)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Power connector for Prusa MINI+ - upgrading power supply

@karl-herbert thanks for the reference to the expert information

@judas thanks for the words of caution. I'm going with individual power supplies right now. In the future I may try to centralize the power if I can find a quality transformer.

Posted : 17/07/2022 4:58 pm
Judas
(@judas)
Trusted Member
RE: Power connector for Prusa MINI+ - upgrading power supply

You can take an old unused laptop power supply, and then cut the end plug off and connect the wires to a buck boost converter. They are cheap, and you can adjust the voltage output from 0.5 volts to 30 volts with around 3-4 amps. You can also set amperage limits so the converter will stop supplying power if the amperage drawn exceeds your settings. I bought a few just to mess with, and they have very accurate voltages when tested using my nice multimeter. Something like these.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0978T3JKH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Posted : 18/07/2022 2:40 am
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