adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

[pentium]

Well I finally managed to make up some sort of chassis to hold the guts of an old dual Pentium pro AST Manhattan server.
I would of really loved a case but alas I could never find one.
The system uses the old AT power sockets but there are several sets of them and this is getting me lost.

The case itself can only fit a DELTA server psu that uses a larger than normal ATX connector (more voltage connections) as well as a smaller secon connector (data?) and I need to somehow manage to adapt it to work with this board. The problem is that I can't use simple AT-ATX conversion so I need to figure out what should hook up where.

Attached are photos and the manual for the AST server. The photos and the manual are really confusing when it comes to how the cables connect. For gad sakes, they even have connections that are not even mentioned in the manual.

I will also quote some personal notes I found on the need but was unable to attach.

J15 Remote Power (connect to power supply)
J21A, F Power Supply

Sorry, I can't supply a pinout on the large ATX connector coming from the PSU, my camera batteries died while taking these photos so if you want photos of the connector you will have to wait.
Oh yeah, how hard is it to make an ATX-like PSU work in an AT-like system?

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

My first guess is short the green wire on that smaller plug with a black wire. If the PSU is following standard color coding (which it seems it is) it should kick the PSU on. To make it work as an AT PSU you would need to connect a SPST switch between the green wire and ground. Turn the switch on, the PSU comes on, turn it off, PSU turns off. Just like an old AT PSU.

For the power good connection, looks like you may have to find out what color that is on the PSU, those sheets say orange but they changed that to something else now.

You are going to want to multi-meter a lot of stuff out to make sure you get the right wires in the right spots since a few colors don't look standard. Probably safe to say the thick yellow is +12V, thick red is +5V, thick orange is +3.3V. The blue, purple, gray, white I'm not sure about which is what. In there is the power good, -12V, -5V, and +5VSB but which is which I don't know (I forget the standard colors for those since I don't work with them much). Then that thin orange wire on that small plug I'm not sure either, if it is standard colors then it is probably +3.3V or sense wire but test it to make sure.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

I did a quick lookup on the board and it's an Intel N440BX board. In the manual were the pinouts for both connectors.

Remember, that Main power connector is that oversized ATX-like connector and the AUX power connector is that smaller connector with the black plastic connector.

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

OK I think I got it. DISCLAIMER: I don't want to be held responsible for any burnt circuits if you follow this! I'm just going by what is written down that you have pics of, and some general knowledge. Thing is since I'm not looking at it first hand I can't say with absolute certainty this will work.

Another note: black, red, yellow, and orange wires mentioned are all the thicker ones unless I specifically say the thin ones.

The first connector on the mobo, the 12 pin one, J21E, going from left to right:
Red, Red, Red, White, Black, Black, Black, Black, Blue, Yellow, Red, Gray

The next one to the right, J21F, going from left to right:
Black, Black, Black, Red, Red, Red

The next one, J21D, from left to right:
Orange, Orange, Orange, Black, Black, Black

The little 4 pin connector, J15, from left to right:
Black, ?, Black, Green

The ? is because that is for a remote start which I don't think you have to worry about.

I assume there is a power button that is hooking up to the motherboard since it has this power-on ATX type circuit in it.

Now, the thin red, thin yellow, and thin orange wires are voltage sense wires for the PSU. Hook them up with one of their corresponding thick wires of the same color.

I don't see any mention of the +5VSB (purple) wire at all anywhere, so maybe the board doesn't need it. Sounds strange, every mobo I know of uses it but this board is weird enough already. If the system doesn't work then we'll have to keep digging.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

so this AST server board has a power switch somewhere? Seriously?
I'll make up a cable tomorrow wen I return from my in-town chores. In the mean time, would you be able to color code the diagram for me? I swear I'm going to screw up somewhere.

[ChaoZ]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_power_supply

Hope this helps.

There are 2 links to the whitepaper design guide on AT and ATX there.

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

so this AST server board has a power switch somewhere? Seriously?
I'll make up a cable tomorrow wen I return from my in-town chores. In the mean time, would you be able to color code the diagram for me? I swear I'm going to screw up somewhere.

Yeah I can do that. I'll do that after dinner.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Thanks sparkey and thanks for the link chaoz.

I just got home from the post office (My VFX1 arrived!) and I'll start cutting up a bad AT PSU.

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Is this what you needed?

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Yes, that is exactly what I needed.
A little update here, I checked anyways and besides this DELTA PSU, I can fit regular AT and ATX power supplies.
Before I start cutting up the delta PSU, are we positive that there is no way to instead use a regular AT or ATX PSU?

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

You could use a standard ATX PSU if you want. Just not AT.

Also as I'm looking at those pinout sheets again, you may need to move the green wire over 2 pins between the two black ones instead of on the edge on the right. Not sure, try it one way, if it doesn't work try it the other way.

[999999999]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

That it uses 3.3V rules out an AT PSU. That it uses different pinout/connectors rules out ATX as-is. You can use ATX, you'll just have to rewire it as you'd do with the Delta. It would eliminate one step since you were trying to ID the Delta's pins contrasted with already knowing the ATX's pins, but on the other hand if you don't have another use for the Delta it'll go to waste and you'd lose the use of the ATX PSU for some other system - depends on which you have more of, time or spare PSU.

I'd prefer using a std ATX, and making an adapter cable inbetween it's connector and the motherboard. This way if the board died someday you have the PSU to reuse, or if the PSU dies you have minimal time swapping in a different PSU. Plus, to make the adapter cable you can cannibalize the connectors and wires off an old/dead AT PSU and the mating female ATX connector off an old motherboard.

Cannibalization tip to get an ATX connector off an old motherboard - Plug the ATX connector & leads from some PSU into it. Flip it over and while applying moderate pulling pressure on the leads away from the board, heat the back of the pins with a small torch (or a larger one at greater distance) moving it back and forth until whole connector slips out. Do it outside, the fumes will stink a bit.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Well I have a matching Delta PSU for an identical Intel board and Instead of cutting it up I could keep it as a spare.

You had the same Idea as me. I have a spare board here that I won't even bother to recap and I'll take the ATX connector off there.

Also as I'm looking at those pinout sheets again, you may need to move the green wire over 2 pins between the two black ones instead of on the edge on the right. Not sure, try it one way, if it doesn't work try it the other way.

After I finish the main connector, I'll move on to this.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Okay, the adapter is made and now all that's left is to determine where the geen wire is to go.

EDIT: I would attach the owners manual for the board (lots of goodies) but it's too big. Instead I added a page on J15

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Uh oh.according to the manual, the front panel connector does not include pins for a power switch. According to the manual, the power switch connects directly to the PSU. Now how are we going to switch the system on?

[999999999]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Same way you turn it on without a system, wire PS-On & Gnd to a switch, just not a momentary type as you'd otherwise use in a traditional ATX system.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

just not a momentary type as you'd otherwise use in a traditional ATX system.

???
So I need something that is not momentary like a toggle switch or a turbo button switch? Darn, I have to rewire the front panel now.

[pentium]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

Well aside from that front power switch needing to be replaced it's working fine although I had to disconnect the plug going to that remote power socket. If it was plugged in the system would not turn off.
Thanks.

[Sparky]

Re: adapting a DELTA server PSU to an AST board

OK, sounded like it functioned ATX style for the power but I guess I was totally wrong. Whoops, sorry about that. Glad the rest of it seems to be working though!

*edit* woot 123 posts