PS3 Powering Launch PS3 w/ external power brick (D220P)

jacobsson

jacobsson

Senior Member
As you can see the D220P is not exactly a light weight power brick, but it delivers 220W of power
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Backside of the unit showing the D220P female jack (sourced from a 24-pin ATX connector) and the power switch is functional too
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PS3 first time booted using the new external PSU
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The enclosed power module takes a lot less space than the original PSU, might utilize the space by adding a silent 120mm fan
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Inside power module enclosure: board top-side shows the Step-Down Power Module. The 12v power cables are routed under the board.
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Introduction
I've seen numerous threads on how to use a 200W xb360 PSU with all non-BC PS3s (since they consume less power). To be honest, this write-up won't be much different in terms of innovation or technical skills.

There seem to be a general believe that BC-models (CECH-A/B/C/E) are consuming 380W solely based of the internal PSU rating of 30 amps @12V, this claim got thrown around like a fact early in the systems life and stuck with us for some reason.
If you look this or measure w/ a kill-a-watt meter you'll see that the truth is much more close to 200W, this is great since my Dell D220P ac-adapter outputs 220W (seen it even being pushed up to 240w before overload protection kicks in).

Basic schematics
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I recommend using 16AWG wires for the 12V and GND to ensure enought gauge to deliver the power.

Parts

Results
My unit is already delidded using liquid metal on both RSX and CELL so I already had my temps in check. Idle temps on the XMB now seem to hoover around 60c on the CELL and 52c on the RSX @28% fan speed (barely audible), lower noise and lower temps!

Final thoughts
First off I wanna say that my aim for these kind of mods is to make them 100% reversible, i.e. no cutting in the chassis or even soldering directly to the board (if possible).
In this case I had a spare PS3 DC jack module that I bought off of eBay and I used filed down jumper wires to connect to the 5-pin connector.

I think this mod is most suitable for those who have already delidded their unit and have a dying power supply on their hands, mainly because I believe delidding helps solving the real issue with these old systems overheating.

TODO: Add own power consumption measurement from the wall

Don't forget to leave a like :encouragement:
 
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Hey -- just got my first PS3 (CECHE01) and am sprucing it up (delidded+liquidmetal and new thermal paste, etc.) -- but am looking to replace the internal PSU with an external (or much smaller, cooler option like you've shown). Any shot you can post up the wiring details or a comprehensive walkthrough for how you managed to achieve this?

Specifically, it looks like you've soldered to the 12v and ground posts, but I'm unclear how to replicate this process.

One last question -- I've read/seen some folks talking about butchering an Xbox360 power brick as an external replacement for the PS3 (see here: https://assemblergames.com/threads/tutorial-run-ps3-off-360-psu.49642/) -- what's the upside of approaching this like you did vs. other options?

Thanks!
 
bigbadblo said:
Hey -- just got my first PS3 (CECHE01) and am sprucing it up (delidded+liquidmetal and new thermal paste, etc.) -- but am looking to replace the internal PSU with an external (or much smaller, cooler option like you've shown). Any shot you can post up the wiring details or a comprehensive walkthrough for how you managed to achieve this?

Specifically, it looks like you've soldered to the 12v and ground posts, but I'm unclear how to replicate this process.

One last question -- I've read/seen some folks talking about butchering an Xbox360 power brick as an external replacement for the PS3 (see here: https://assemblergames.com/threads/tutorial-run-ps3-off-360-psu.49642/) -- what's the upside of approaching this like you did vs. other options?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for checking in!
When browsing through his excellent guide I see two mayor differences:
1. He solders the 12v directly to the mobo, mine is detachable using a fitted US two-prong AC male
2. He is using a ~200W xbox360 PSU, I'm using the 220W dell D220P (max power draw is ~200W on a CECH-C/E which gives us a little margin)

The main upside with my option is modular and can be reversed/detached w/o de-soldering anything, same goes for the little black project enclosure (carrying the 3.3v and 5v rails using the step-down regulator/buck converter) and the white cabel to the mobo.

If you want to be able to remove the mod my "design" is better. I'm going revisit this project with a hopefully repairable CECH-A06 that is coming to any day now, then I'll be able to make some schematics and upload here :encouragement:
 
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Nice work, I've been looking to do something similar as well but just using an ATX PSU and having the wire snake out where the power plug originally was. I like the non-destructive approach you took, so many people just drill holes in the casing :chargrined:
 
DoublesAdvocate said:
Nice work, I've been looking to do something similar as well but just using an ATX PSU and having the wire snake out where the power plug originally was. I like the non-destructive approach you took, so many people just drill holes in the casing :chargrined:
Click to expand...
If you want to minimize wires with an external ATX PSU there are needed only 5 wires or so (i was discussing this in other thread in the forum, dont remember right now exactly)
And keep in mind that 2 of the wires (for 12v and gnd) are going to carry most of the watts of the PSU, so that 2 wires needs to be very thick
But the other wires doesnt needs to be thick, because are 5v standby and control signals... you can use a (customized) USB cable for them ;)
 
@jacobsson any chance of an update on if the cechA unit you were waiting on got revisited with this mod? Also any chance of schematics/parts used? I'm rather interested in doing something just like this with some sort of 12v power supply in on a second cechA I got my hands on but would like to base my work around someones working example if possible.
 
Squiglemouse said:
@jacobsson any chance of an update on if the cechA unit you were waiting on got revisited with this mod? Also any chance of schematics/parts used? I'm rather interested in doing something just like this with some sort of 12v power supply in on a second cechA I got my hands on but would like to base my work around someones working example if possible.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for your interest!
Actually I might revisit this mod very soon, I'm working on a YLOAD CECHA unit and if it succeeds I'll make sure to test this mod and update this thread. But to be honest, the CECHC and CECHA should be drawing the same (~200W) during heavy use so a Dell DA-2 220W unit (which can be pushed to 240W) should have headroom.
 
it is not a backwards compatible model I have, but I am also using a pc power supply since I have done this to my ps3:

I am using a Supermicro 300w Server power supply, which has 29amps on 12v, which is more than enough. it is low profile format, which fits perfectly into the CELL, erm DELL VOSTRO pc case (modified the DELL logo to CELL, lul). btw, this DELL logo can be "switched" like the psx logo on fats. I have used two 4pin plugs for processor from pc mainboard and soldered them to the power "plungs"

this is still not finished though, but my PS3 runs fine with it and I can recommend anybody to use an external pc power supply. I first have used a 230w low profile original from the pc case, which has worked as well, but it had only about 18amps on 12v, which is no good I think, since L-models have a rating of 21amps on the original power unit

just wanted to leave my oppinion and not hook your thread
 
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