PC Power Supply: Series or Parallel?

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phillippe333 Posted messages 104 Status Member -  
phillippe333 Posted messages 104 Status Member -
Hello,
I need to create a 24V power supply that can deliver 20A (on a 1.2 Ohm resistor) minimum. I have 4 identical power supplies.
The problem is that I don't know if I can connect them in parallel. If so, should I do it before or after the series?
Similarly, I am counting on a base of 17A at 12V for one power supply. Will I therefore have 24V and 34A when the 4 are connected?
Thank you for your responses!!

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2 answers

MrYAU31 Posted messages 4631 Status Member 1 630
 
Hello,
I need to create a 24V power supply capable of delivering at least 20A (across a 1.2 Ohm resistor). I have 4 identical power supplies.
The problem is that I'm not sure if I can connect them in parallel. If so, should I do it before or after the series?

Did you forget to tell us something??? Are you talking about a TV series? If I were you, I would watch the series first.

So will I have 24V and 34A when the 4 are connected?
It depends on your 4 batteries that you haven't mentioned...
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phillippe333 Posted messages 104 Status Member 20
 
Technically, I have 2 options for the setups: I can connect the power supplies in series in pairs and then make a derivation, or I can connect them in parallel in pairs and then put them in series. :)
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MrYAU31 Posted messages 4631 Status Member 1 630
 
And what are your power supplies???
With 4 batteries of 1.5V, you'll never get what you want, no matter the configuration.
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phillippe333 Posted messages 104 Status Member 20
 
4 PC power supply 250W
12V --> 17A
well, there’s also 5 volts and everything, but I don't think I’ll need that.
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marcmarais Posted messages 24260 Status Moderator 4 568
 
Hello,
your power supplies are technically speaking voltage generators (+12V, +5V...)
you should never connect voltage generators in parallel:
the slightest voltage difference between the two will generate a strong current from one to the other, which can be destructive...

I have 4 PC power supplies 250w
these are probably "no-name" PSUs recovered from old PCs, in my opinion, they're good for the trash :)
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phillippe333 Posted messages 104 Status Member 20
 
Thank you for your response :)
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