Introducing the ATX2AT Smart Converter

[xsecret]

Some weeks ago, I fried a nice 486 motherboard I got in a scrap lot at first boot. Some capacitors were shorted and my ATX PSU, coupled with a regular passive ATX2AT adapter, led to massive damage (burnt traces). That short was not "short enough" to trigger the (very large) PSU overcurrent protection. The motherboard was FUBAR by the time I noticed something went wrong and manually switched off the power (within 3/4 seconds).

So, while waiting for the first batch of Universal Chip Analyzer being assembled, I created a "Smart" ATX2AT Converter, featuring fully-programmable electronic fuses. I also added a small OLED display for monitoring purpose, a -5V regulator to regenerate that missing voltage (required by some sound cards) and some additional filtering capacitors. The project will ultimately be open-source and can be adapted for any other retro-platform that require -12/-5/+5 and/or +12V.

All technical details are available on this page: https://x86.fr/atx2at-smart-converter/

I'll be happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions about this project.

Some friends already expressed an unexpected strong interest for this adapter. If we're only a few to want one, I'll assembled them manually, but if we're more than a few, I can consider having them built by a fab to reduce costs.

[edwardauskis]

Great work, but hard and expencive, on ebay atx/at adaptor about 3$

[xsecret]

Please read my website page ( https://x86.fr/atx2at-smart-converter/ ), where I describe exactly why I needed something more "smart" than a standard passive adapter to protect the motherboards

[cvandijk]

Perfect, everyone working with old components need one.

I need one, I have a NexGen motherboard on the way, and I don't want to fry it.

[debs3759]

I will have a few AT systems up and running by the end of the year. This looks great, but I usually buy AT cases with AT PSU for a little cheaper

[cvandijk]

But those old AT psu's can fry you hardware, or if your main board is broken it can also fry every other component.

If I understand it correctly, this little device will protect your hardware.

[CHips]

Very nice, would be fun to power a 386 motherboard with a 80+ Titanium PSU :p.

Modern PSUs are likely providing better current, so it might be a good idea to use one for very rare and expensive motherboards, as it might improve the lifespan of components (even though I wonder if anything would change in practice, as we can find 20-30 years old computers still working with original or very old PSU).

[xsecret]

[xsecret]

[cvandijk]

Let me know when I can order one, hopefully very soon

[gekaufman]

A great idea!

I'd like to get one as well.

- Gary

[max1024]

xsecret
Impressive! Very good job and the Aidea.

A have only one aidea for this adapter - the plactic case for it to prevent a short circuit. You can leave a window for LCD screen buttons and switches. I think this case can be made easily on a 3D printer.

[debs3759]

After thinking about it, I may take one if you can get enough interest to drop the price to $40 oe less. Then I can check boards before building systems with them.

[Vegeta]

Cool! I'm interested in one.

[sunaiac]

Can this be made to support heavy load on 5v by taking from the ATX 12v ?

Think athlon 1ghz and crappy 5v on modern PSU