Circuit Boards

[mikeb1206]

I am looking for someone who can help me understand and build a circuit board.

I am more of a hands on person so sitting down reading web pages gives me tired head.

[Ol Thumper]

What exactly are you wanting to build/operate? I've built several different styles/types for running different electronic devices. Knowing what your trying to do would help in getting you pointed in the right direction.

[mikeb1206]

I wish I could explain it but it would be a long post to cover everything.

To try and make it short I need to make 12 vdc power supplies that has temp control fans to keep light controllers cool. Also the power supplies would provide 12vdc power to multiple lines.

I can use computer power supplies but they do not turn on until the mother board sends a signal to the power supply. I need to create my own mother board that sends that signal to the power supply.

Any suggestions?

[Marion]

Why don't you use a 12V power supply and then make a circuit that turns the fans on and off with a temp control circuit. You're going to need to supply power to the temp control circuit all the time anyway. Seems much more simple that way and you can buy 12V power supplies instead of designing one.

[mikeb1206]

Why don't you use a 12V power supply and then make a circuit that turns the fans on and off with a temp control circuit. You're going to need to supply power to the temp control circuit all the time anyway. Seems much more simple that way and you can buy 12V power supplies instead of designing one.

Pretty much what I had in mind, just need to be able to make the circuit. Thanks for making it more simple for me in writing.

[cfortner]

Making the PC PSU turn on is as easy as shorting two of the wires. How many light controllers are you needing to keep cool (how many fans do you want to use), and at what temp(s) would you want the fan(s) to turn on?

[mikeb1206]

I would like to have the controllers in a box like a computer tower so they are enclosed in a neater package. The box could have up to 10 controllers. I figure 2 fans should keep thing cool enough so the controllers don't over heat as most of the time the box will be in a climate controlled area, I think the fans should come on around 90 degrees when operating.

[cfortner]

Honestly I'd use a PC Power Supply and hard wire a few case fans to run constantly as they draw very little power. This would give you the ability to use the 12V plugs already running from the PS to run your Light Controllers.

If you wanted to, you could use a temp control circuit like this to add additional fans when the temp reached above 90°:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Single-channel-Thermal-Relay-Control-Sensor-Module-Temperature-Switch-DC-12V-/261247778904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd394c058

Here's how you can use an ATX power supply without connecting a MB:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-power-up-an-ATX-Power-Supply-without-a-PC/

[Artos]

how many boards do you need and & do you have the official gerber file designed?? It's either going to be traditional through hole or surface mount design...unless you have this path crossed already, then you either need just a handful made or are not ready for mass production.

[BigFoot]

Who woulda thought there was a bunch of smart guys on TBH? This stuff has me lost, I wish I understood electricity like some of y'all do.

[mikeb1206]

how many boards do you need and & do you have the official gerber file designed?? It's either going to be traditional through hole or surface mount design...unless you have this path crossed already, then you either need just a handful made or are not ready for mass production.

Don't have a gerber file design, never heard of it until I googled it to find out what you are talking about. I am just a dumb carpenter!

I would need a bunch of them to handle a new product I am coming out with. I need to build a proto type to work with so I can work out the bugs.

[mikeb1206]

Honestly I'd use a PC Power Supply and hard wire a few case fans to run constantly as they draw very little power. This would give you the ability to use the 12V plugs already running from the PS to run your Light Controllers.

If you wanted to, you could use a temp control circuit like this to add additional fans when the temp reached above 90°:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Single-channel-Thermal-Relay-Control-Sensor-Module-Temperature-Switch-DC-12V-/261247778904?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd394c058

Here's how you can use an ATX power supply without connecting a MB:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-without-a-PC/

awesome info, thanks!

[Texas Tracker]

Thermistor will complete the circuit once it hits the temp it is rated for. Just put one in line to control the fan temps.

[SwampRabbit]

Is this for mass production, or just a one off project? How complicated is your schematic, and more importantly... do you know what you are doing in that area as well?

If it's just a one off, it's probably best to just get a copper plate/etch kit. You will want to breadboard your circuit first before diving into etching a board.

Ironically, I power my breadboard with an older ATX PC power supply... with of course the switch pins shorted so it turns on. That is the best method for you to have a good 12V DC supply that also drives a 5V signal which is ideal for most digital logic (a 3VDC regulator circuit is a breeze if you need to step down to the LV ICs.) *** funny that 3VDC was considered LV back in the day.***

Here is a quick search result on doing your own etch. If it is a one off, I tend to use the protoboards. I have a couple of different protoboard regulators I've made for my regulators, etc.

http://hackaday.com/2008/07/28/how-to-etch-a-single-sided-pcb/

The biggest and most important peice of equipment you need is a good, temperature controlled, soldering iron. I've soldered quite a few PCBs (mainly Ham Radios) and I can tell you that what makes or breaks your finished circuit is the quality of your soldering.