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Powering a PC with 6V batteries
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:40 am
by Rksk
I have an old desktop pc (made in 98) without a UPS. I wont buy a new desktop and hoping to buy a lap in future. So buying a UPS for this desktop is a waste of money (Realy I can't buy those things now).
Then I thought to use some 6V batteries as a power source to pc when main current's break down times. I don't want to power monitor and just want to prevent from un-saved data loss.
As I found, a desktop wants 5V & 12V power (no idea about -5V & -12V). can anyone conferm that, 'can i power the mechine by using 2 or 4, 6V batteries' ?
Thank you.
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Re: Powering a PC with 6V batteries
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:12 am
by Neo
It is a bit complicated due to the ATX requirements.

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Four wires have special functions:
- PS_ON# or Power on is a signal from the motherboard to the power supply. When the line is connected to ground (by the motherboard), the power supply turns on. It is internally pulled up to +5 V inside the power supply.[8][9]
- PWR_OK or Power good is an output from the power supply that indicates that its output has stabilized and is ready for use. It remains low for a brief time (100–500 ms) after the PS_ON# signal is pulled low.[10]
- +5 VSB or +5 V standby supplies power even when the rest of the supply lines are off. This can be used to power the circuitry that controls the Power On signal.
- +3.3 V sense should be connected to the +3.3 V on the motherboard or its power connector. This connection allows for remote sensing of the voltage drop in the power supply wiring.
You can read the full spec from the
wiki article about ATX.
So it is advised to always go through the PSU. How about making a small Inverter and a battery charger? You can find quite a lot of circuit diagrams for those in the net.
Re: Powering a PC with 6V batteries
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:10 am
by Rksk
Yes, it is somewhat complex to do.
I have an old inverter. I'm going to repair it & test.
Thank you.
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