5V power supply project.

[goraman]

I just ordered this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170503995884?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2990wt_1110
It's a 20 amp 5v power supply. I'm going to upgrade my Apple TV gen 1.
The first thing I did was change it from pata to sata and went with a 500 gig. HD WD 7200 RPM Scorpio BLK
The foxcon ribbon cable has to be modified and you will need an adapter.
I then removed the stuped rubber bottom and tossed it in the trash then installed aluminum pillers to create more interior cooling space then placed it on a fan pad to aid in cooling.

My next trick is removing the factory power supply that seconds as a space heater and building an out board power supply.

This will bring the internal temp way down and the extra heavy duty supply should make it even more stable.
I am going to limit the current from 20 amps down to 10 buy using a 10 amp reset breaker. I got the IEC socket a lockable 15 amp off/on switch,binding posts, 10 amp breaker,fuse holder,and a big black aluminum project box so far. The power supply in the ATV only needs 7 amps so this supply should give it some head room.

I cant even do any lay out till the supply unit arrives from China.
At this point I am not sure if I want a power LED light as at night they annoy me.
Any advise before I jump in?

[Martinh]

Hi Jeff,

Interesting project - I can understand the HDD upgrade, but what are the benefits of the other mods?

Have you got any photos of the inside of the ATF?

Cheers,

Martin

[goraman]

Hi Jeff,

Interesting project - I can understand the HDD upgrade, but what are the benefits of the other mods?

Have you got any photos of the inside of the ATF?

Cheers,

Martin

I use my ATV as a music server.
All my CD's ripped to Apple Loss less.
The ATV was a sealed tight box with alot of current running through it, much like the early Imacs they dye early because they are subjected to so much heat you can't lay your hand on them for very long 124 degrees F or 51 Degrees C.
By removing the rubber bottom it exposes an aluminum base with loads of vent holes,the bottom plate is sucked right up to the top of the lid with the board having no room for air flow and by installing pillars in between it leaves more internal air volume for cooling.
Heat is a major problem and shortens the life of electronics as well as destabilizing the unit if it gets hot enough. It only uses 5v so to make the 40 watts it depends on 7.2 amps current a lot of heat for such a small space.

I don't have pictures of the inside but may take some when I remove the power supply and add a jack.
I use a glass optical cable from the ATV to feed a Jolida FX tube DAC.
So it's basically a big music server.

[goraman]

A nice piece on the ATV including internal pictures.
http://olitee.com/2010/04/overheating-apple-tv/

http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/17218/new+power+supply+for+Apple+TV another cool artical.
The heat 90% of it is coming from the white rectangular power supply near the back,it gets hot like a laptop brick but maybe even hotter.

Any suggestion for a pilot light?
I was thinking of cutting a square window and using a dim white light on a B&W or sepia picture of vintage 1940's porn.
Better than a blue LED right?
Only problem is the woman where pretty thick back then,belly fat was a pulse from what I can gleen.
Dose anyone have an old nude of conjoint(Siamese) twins (female gender over 18 please) if they are from Siam that would be a + PM me if you do,Hamish no holding out!
No pictures of Marco in a thong before you wise guys get any ideas!

[Martinh]

I use my ATV as a music server.
All my CD's ripped to Apple Loss less.
The ATV was a sealed tight box with alot of current running through it, much like the early Imacs they dye early because they are subjected to so much heat you can't lay your hand on them for very long 124 degrees F or 51 Degrees C.
By removing the rubber bottom it exposes an aluminum base with loads of vent holes,the bottom plate is sucked right up to the top of the lid with the board having no room for air flow and by installing pillars in between it leaves more internal air volume for cooling.
Heat is a major problem and shortens the life of electronics as well as destabilizing the unit if it gets hot enough. It only uses 5v so to make the 40 watts it depends on 7.2 amps current a lot of heat for such a small space.

I don't have pictures of the inside but may take some when I remove the power supply and add a jack.
I use a glass optical cable from the ATV to feed a Jolida FX tube DAC.
So it's basically a big music server.

I see what you mean, that's a lot of heat being generated in a small space.

The external psu should make all the difference. Will the psu improve sound quality too?

Martin

[goraman]

I see what you mean, that's a lot of heat being generated in a small space.

The external psu should make all the difference. Will the psu improve sound quality too?

Martin

Being more stable with more current to draw from on demand I'm sure there will be some small difference.

[goraman]

BTW: I hope most of you realize my idea for the square porn oddity pilot light was in jest,I did however think about putting an LED in an old vacuum tube with a small window to look like a tube lighting up. The hard part would be drilling a hole in the bottom of the tube.

[Folkboy]

BTW: I hope most of you realize my idea for the square porn oddity pilot light was in jest,..
Thanks for clarifying. With what some of the people in this forum post at times, I was unsure. ;)

[goraman]

Thanks for clarifying. With what some of the people in this forum post at times, I was unsure. ;)

Yes, my bait is often way to much and people take me serious.
I have an odd sense of humor even for the British,the people who gave us Monty python,Mr. Bean,Benny Hill and Neville Chamberlain.

[Martinh]

Yes, my bait is often way to much and people take me serious.
I have an odd sense of humor even for the British,the people who gave us Monty python,Mr. Bean,Benny Hill and Neville Chamberlain.

And Nick Clegg.:rolleyes:

[goraman]

After work I decided to work on the PSU so I riveted in the supply board,cut out the hole for the IEC plug with a Dremal tool, and riveted in the IEC socket then drilled the holes for the breaker, the binding posts,power switch and power LED light then mounted all the hardware.
Maybe tomorrow I'll wire it all up.