Can you dip a plastic frame in an ATX power supply safely?
Can you dip a plastic frame in an ATX power supply safely?
I plan to construct a computer inside a large PlayStation 2. I can fit an ATX power supply into the case but it needs to be open-framed. It must be positioned directly above a graphics card, very close to it. I was thinking about covering the graphics card and the power supply board with rubber so they don’t touch. Could you suggest if it’s possible to plastic-dip a power supply like a motherboard without breaking it? Would that still work? Would the rubber provide protection for my components? Are there alternatives to using rubber if it doesn’t function properly? I’m working with parts just a few millimeters apart.
The Kapton tape on the back of the GPU is adequate.
For extra protection, a thin plastic sheet can be used. It can be cut from a food container or a plastic folder.
Which would work better, plastic dip or acrylic conformal coating? Could they be used together?
I can't help but believe this will rapidly exhaust the GPU.
A substantial layer of insulation.
Conformal coating demands specific application standards, and I’m unsure if you can get a satisfactory uniform finish. Kapton tape is a safer option. It comes in different thicknesses and you simply cover the raised areas on the back of the GPU.
I’ve encountered plastidip hardware before—it looks disorganized and seems unnecessary. I’m not sure what level of protection it provides, as it tends to peel off easily.
Kapton tape is commonly used in electronics for this purpose, especially when close components might touch. As long as you prevent the PSU and GPU from rubbing against each other, it should work well. However, if direct contact is expected, you might consider creating a sheet of plastidip to act as a barrier. There are many insulating materials you could use depending on what’s available.
Thank you for your reply. I'll examine the tape. After checking the fit of the flex PSU in the case, it appears I was mistaken—it won't fit. My scp 30000 is compatible. The scp 10000 is slightly larger and might work. I have one in stock soon. But why would tape be better than coatings? Does the tape come off easily?
Sorry guys, please let me restate or rephrase the same inquiry. I need to know if it's possible to plastic dip a power supply without damaging it. This question wasn't addressed directly. Also, silicone conformal coating could be a better option.
Can you apply silicone conformal coating to a power supply? I wouldn't coat the heat sinks or connectors, but I'm curious if rubber coating is feasible for transformers. What parts should avoid rubber coating? And can inductors be coated with rubber?
Do not proceed with PSU. Avoid any contact inside the PSU. These concepts are clearly dangerous—posing fire risks and severe electrical threats.
For advice but still not getting the answer, I think I'll open the power supply anyway. I'll try to be as careful as possible. Everyone opens power supplies regularly, and people often fix broken ones. Just check YouTube. It would be safer to say that some power supplies have coatings, and these coatings have been around for a long time, just like power supplies themselves.
I shared some experiences with you, if you could have witnessed the work I did on old ATX power supplies, vintage motherboards, and classic game consoles you'd be shocked. I was once a modder for gaming consoles and similar projects when I was younger.
I’ve reviewed power supplies, removed all the cables from a PSU and rewired it to shorten the cables essentially by modifying the cables in the PSU. I worked on Dell double-decker PSUs which had two circuit boards connected together. I’ve replaced motherboards, modified game consoles, applied acrylic conformal coating to motherboards and consoles, even tried using regular spray paint on a PSU board.
I prefer working on equipment myself so I can reassemble it later. I did everything at my own risk but had a great time. I powered a Dell motherboard using a backup Apple PSU, adding my own wiring by drilling holes. I’ve also powered game consoles with Apple PSUs and used ATX supplies to run PS4s. I’ve customized PSUs for various tasks beyond their original purpose.
I attempted to upgrade an Atari VCS CPU or APU, but it didn’t work, though I came close.
I cleaned motherboards with green and water, tore apart various laptop PSUs.
In short, I’ve disassembled many power supplies and remain safe. Taking things apart is part of who I am. But remember, it’s always at your own risk.