Converting Old PSU connectors and cables into PCIE cables for the Antminer S3

[shaxs]

The new Bitmain S3 only has PCIE connectors and no longer supports screw terminals. Bummer. I use cheap and efficient server PSUs that I wired myself for the S1 and they were great. So, not I need to convert those wires into a connector for the S3. I happen to have a friend who works at a computer company and he has been salvaging a bunch of old PSUs. Each one of these has a PSU power connector. I believe I can get 2 to 3 PCIE connectors by cutting them down.

I plan on soldering the wires from the ATX psu connector to a 14 gauge wire running to the PSU. That is how I have it now. 1 14guage (per positive and negative) wire that then is connected to 3 18guage wires for each terminal power block.

Looking at this diagram, is it correct on which is power and which is ground ?



Any one have any suggestions or tips before I start doing this?

[hardhouseinc]

Talk to this guy:

Cablez

Hell build you top notch cables.

[Unacceptable]

Cablez is the best for cables

But just for info:

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

Do NOT get the EPS mixed up with the PCIE connectors,some new powersupplies have all black cables & it makes difficult to sort out the + & - .

Some swap the cables to get EPS & some swap inside the PSU,so check twice.

A voltmeter set on DC will help a lot  

[shaxs]

Thank you. I am cutting the connectors off and ignoring wire color and will wire up as it is supposed to be. I will post some pictures of one to make sure I am correct.

[shaxs]

Im using this as a reference: http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress

The top 3 negative connections have the following pattern: Circle, Circle, Square.

Yes, if you cut off the first 6 on an atx from the left as show in the picture, the pattern is Circle, SQUARE, Square.

The shape of the 2nd plug is wrong. I dont think this will fit?

I am now thinking about buying http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 and cutting off the molex and soldering the wires from that to the negative and positive wires going to the psu.

Thoughts?

[Unacceptable]

I make most my cables myself  

Gridseeds & Fury's/Blizzards:
Female 6 pin to barrel plugs.


Klondike miners, 1 6pin to 3 6pin PCIE



Klondike fans & later for my Drillbit boards,1 4pin molex to 3 4pin molex & 1 fan header :



I got all the male or female 4pin & 6pin connectors & pins from (be sure to add the pins to your order,not added automatically):
They accept BTC now!!!  
http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l1/g51/Connectors.html?id=2yHEHxLM

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g51/c385/s1005/list/p1/Connectors-6_Pin_Connectors-6-Pin_VGA_Male-Page1.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g51/c387/s999/list/p1/Connectors-4_Pin_Connectors-Molex_-_Male-Page1.html

& Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058RLD9C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All the wires & snake sleeves are salvaged from dead PSU's  

The only connector plugs that differ are the 8pin EPS & 8pin PCIE.1st upper row,2nd pin is square on EPS.On 8pin PCIE the 3rd pin is square.The rest are the same other than the + & - reversal  

[shaxs]

Nice work! But it looks like too much work

Do you think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 would work fine for my purposes?

[philipma1957]

Nice work! But it looks like too much work

Do you think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 would work fine for my purposes?

maybe


to be clear  if you put both molex to the same molex cable = not good


if each molex part attaches to completely different molex cables.  it the psu had 18 gauge molex cable .

if the  adapter wires are 18 gauge  it could work.

[shaxs]

Nice work! But it looks like too much work

Do you think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 would work fine for my purposes?

maybe


to be clear  if you put both molex to the same molex cable = not good


if each molex part attaches to completely different molex cables.  it the psu had 18 gauge molex cable .

if the  adapter wires are 18 gauge  it could work.

Im going to snip the molex off. Then connect all positive wires to a 14g wire and all negative to a 14g wire and run directly to a server psu.

[philipma1957]

Nice work! But it looks like too much work

Do you think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 would work fine for my purposes?

maybe


to be clear  if you put both molex to the same molex cable = not good


if each molex part attaches to completely different molex cables.  it the psu had 18 gauge molex cable .

if the  adapter wires are 18 gauge  it could work.

Im going to snip the molex off. Then connect all positive wires to a 14g wire and all negative to a 14g wire and run directly to a server psu.

that may very well be good.  I had some of those from startech I think they are 20 ga not 18.  but i have a lot of wires in my house so I am not sure.

[Unacceptable]

Nice work! But it looks like too much work

Do you think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200106 would work fine for my purposes?

It may as philipma1957 suggested if they are of decent AWG.

Making cables is easy man,just crimp the pin on the wire & stick it in the correct hole,snaps in & do the next one 

I can get an American girl to do it...so you KNOW its easy 

I got a 14-22 AWG crimper a Radio Shack for $10-15:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103683

[shaxs]

I got my Molex to pcie adapters, cut off the ends, and wired them up to the PSU. Looks like these should work!

[philipma1957]

I got my Molex to pcie adapters, cut off the ends, and wired them up to the PSU. Looks like these should work!

they look okay.  keep an eye on them for wire warmth. 24/7/365 can take a while to melt a wire if you are just over the limit.

[shaxs]

Good point. I checked the wire and they are labeled 18awg. That means 180w per plug will be going through it. Can 18awg handle that?

[klondike_bar]

check my signature link - i have quality splitters and 16awg PCIE leads.

as for gutting an old PSU to make it useful for PCIe- be casreful, its likely easier to go with a new PSU that will provide a higher efficiency rating to save money in the long run

[shaxs]

check my signature link - i have quality splitters and 16awg PCIE leads.

as for gutting an old PSU to make it useful for PCIe- be casreful, its likely easier to go with a new PSU that will provide a higher efficiency rating to save money in the long run

I was only going to gut the connector- not use the actual PSU.

I'm going to PM you about cables.

[Mister S]

Frozencpu.com sells the connector ends, crimp-style pins, and sleeving. (And take bitcoin). May as well make it look as professional as possible.

[Unacceptable]

Good point. I checked the wire and they are labeled 18awg. That means 180w per plug will be going through it. Can 18awg handle that?

The wire might be ok,but those white connectors don't take kindly to heat,be careful & keep an eye on em