power supply for ssc (on sale if correct )

[t.jo13]

comp use / tiger direct has a ultra 750w power supply on sale for 60.00. It is in their weekly flyer. just not sure if the 12v is single rail? Looking at the specs which I enclosed, it says  +12v 1 . For people that want to get started with smart strings, it would be a good starter psu for a few strings, if it is correct. 12v is only rated at 45A. 

[Steve Gase]

it looks good, but as you point out -- it only has 540 watts of usable 12v power.  So, consider usable power in your price comparisons.

[travailen]

with the rebate, this 52A @ 12V single rail PS is $41.99

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I have had no problems with these PS.

Rick S

[chrisatpsu]

i had a 16 string, 40 node mega tree this year and last.   it only uses 20A @12V

so with this supply, you still could do 16 strings of 80 nodes, or 32 strings of 40 nodes, and still be about ok.

[UncleBuck]

Rick - Is the power supply from Newegg the one that RJ recommends?

[rm357]

I don't recall there ever being an officially "recommended" power supply.

There is a requirement for the power supply to have only one 12 volt power rail.

[taybrynn]

Yes, it must be single rail

[Steve Gase]

I recall there was a Rosewill model that RJ initially used.  It had a good reputation, and a good price at the time. 
But things change so much, models replace models... part vendors change... prices/sales change... there isn't much of a benefit in searching out that particular unit where there are so many workable options out there.
I've used Corsair, Rosewill, CoolerMaster, Antec, and Thermaltake with success.

[chrisatpsu]

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this is the one RJ initially recommended.

Still out there, and still on sale.

[complacent_one]

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These would work too.....plan on converting another one for the upcoming seasons show....

Currently have one for powering my RC Battery Charger.

47amps @ apprx 12.8V loaded.

One of these and 3-5bucks worth of parts....and bingo 500 plus watts for less than 30 bucks total!!

[Steve Gase]

one thing to look for... ideally you should have plenty of 4-pin connectors coming out of the supply, and the 4-pin connectors should be spread between multiple (3) drops from the supply.


I've gotten a couple that are increasingly moving towards the SATA-type power connects.  No doubt you can make adapters from pieces and parts, but if you have a choice, go with existing 4-pin connectors (used to connect disk drives).

[taybrynn]

I've had great luck with cordsair, antec and seasonic supplies that are 80 plus rated .   The roséwill is a good budget brand, but maybe a step below these others ... But a good value.

[UncleBuck]

Can I run Aether's off the same power supply that I will be using for my RGB mega tree? I plan on having a 1/2 mega tree with 16 strands of 80 nodes and 4 to 6 Aether's.

[Steve Gase]

No, Aethers use AC power, not DC power.
You need landscape lighting transformer for the Aethers.

[UncleBuck]

Got it. 

Thanks Steve