Chassis mount Pi3 power supply, thoughts?

briankross

Pi Model: 3 Model B
RetroPie Version Used: 3.8.1
Built From: SD Image
USB Devices connected: Standard keyboard, x2 Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad
Controller used: x2 Buffalo Classic USB Gamepad

I'd like to bounce this off the community before moving forward.

In short , I'm planning to build an arcade control panel that fits on a lap. All components will be mounted inside. A locking IEC power cord will go to the wall, and a locking HDMI cable (Neutrik connector) will go from the control panel to the living room TV. I'd love to build a cabinet, but we don't have the room, and that's another story... :-)

Planning wise, my last major consideration is what to do about a power supply inside the laptop style control panel. I hope to make it as thin as possible, so perhaps finding a mountable power strip isn't the best idea, and they usually have a power switch... and the direction of the outlet is important when mounting (and thus securing) the wall wart. I'm fairly handy with electrical components and soldering, so I thought about making a power supply, but quickly realized I'm very rusty with power supply design, and I could probably find one ready made.

Since I've determined (I think!) that all of the power requirements for the controller and all of it's components can be handled only by supplying power to the rPi3 just like I'm doing with the wall wart. I started searching for a ready made power supply that meets the requirements to mount inside the controller to replace the wall wart.

Conditions

Power connections

Wall outlet to IEC cable to switched IEC chassis mount socket (v-lock equipment AC, can be disconnected from chassis)
IEC chassis mount socket (inside panel) to power supply AC input
Power supply DC output to barrel connector
Barrel connector to PowerBlock
PowerBlock to chassis LED, and SPST switch
Note: This controller will have passive ventilation

Controls and things that draw power from USB

x1 iPac 2 OR Mini Pac
x1 SANWA JLW-TM-8 Ball Top Joystick
x1 HAPP 3" Solid Color Trackball with USB Interface
x12 buttons (approximately)
x2 SNES gamepads (only when playing NES games)
x1 USB Keyboard (on occasion, I'll unplug one or both of the gamepads)

Power supply thoughts

What I came up with so far is the Delta Electronics PMC-05V015W1AA, and here's the data sheet.

Here's what I like about it (much fancier than I could build!):

Wide input voltage range: 85VAC to 264VAC (I'm in North America, but I can take it anywhere!)
Output voltage: 5.1VDC (see line below)
Output Voltage Adjustment Range: 4.75VDC - 5.5VDC
Output current: 3.0A
Short circuit, over-voltage, over-current and over-temperature protections
Terminal block connections
EMI filter
It's about $17 USD

Other power supplies considered:

Mean Well RS-15-5 here's the data sheet.
- This one is along the same lines as the Delta Electronics, but with a 14 week wait and lower cost...
Bel Power Solutions MBC40-1005G here's the data sheet (link may not work).
- This one is $30 USD, has 8A output current, seems overkill

Questions

What do you think of this power supply? Is it the wall wart replacement I think it is and then some or am I missing something?
(If I'm on track) I'm thinking of using 16AWG from the IEC to AC input terminals, and 22AWG to the barrel connector that plugs in to the PowerBlock, and spade (or ring) crimp terminals
What size barrel connector is used for the PowerBlock, they just say it should fit common sizes

Thanks for having a look at this!

briankross

@briankross

I'm planning to move forward with this. Any insight is welcome.

caver01

@briankross I am definitely going to watch this. I'd like to simplify my own power requirements. As it stands, I have a 3-socket powerstrip (Ikea) mounted inside my cabinet. A lot of space is taken up supporting all of the power blocks and wiring, so I am anxious to find out more too. I guess you have honors and I am just going to stand back on the fringe and watch you putt first. ;-)

briankross

@caver01

I'll build a prototype out of an old plastic bin with some wood on the bottom for mounting things. Depending how fast I get the parts together from the different vendors it'll probably be a few weeks. I'll post my findings.

Just to get another pair of eyes on the specs, have a look and tell me what you think. I don't want to overlook something silly.

briankross

@caver01

I put in an enquiry to the manufacturer asking if the voltage output is clean and suitable for powering a computer. Since it's a switching power supply rather than linear, the current switching can cause electrical noise problems if not carefully filtered.

In their block diagram I do see an EMI filter and some other things that may take care of this, but asking the question directly saves a lot of issues down the road.

briankross

Update: I'm scrapping the idea of locking IEC, it's too hard to find chassis mount and cable combinations. Some with lead times of 14 weeks. Using Neutrik powerCON instead.

Specifically:

Jae Sang LEE

I think good power supply is Bel Power Solutions MBC40-1005G.
because, Output Current 8A support.
Raspberrypi model 3b power supply is need 13W (5.2V, 2.5A).
but, your project will is need over current.

briankross

@Jae-Sang-LEE

Do you think a switching power supply will be an issue?

Jae Sang LEE

@briankross said in Chassis mount Pi3 power supply, thoughts?:

Do you think a switching power supply will be an issue?

yes, i forecast it.

2 years ago, i am variety design retropie project on raspberrypi.

ours lately project is use over 5v 3A power supply, because raspberrypi mode 3b

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briankross

For those keeping an eye on this thread, so far so good! For about a week the Delta PMC-05V015W1AA seems to be working just fine, runs cool, the rPi runs fine, I'll test the analog audio output soon just to see if it's clean. It does have a soft high pitch harmonic tone, but inside any enclosure should be completely unheard.