Trying to use mini-box picoPSU-120 to power Amiga but -12v rail is out of ATX compliance

So I purchased a mini-box picoPSU-120 kit which is in essence a very very small power supply that provides multiple regulated voltages. I want to power my Commodore Amiga 500 with the tiny power supply but there’s potentially a big problem with using it out of the box: the -12v rail seems to be out of spec. It’s not being properly regulated to -12v.

I have no problems with the +5v rail or the +12v rail, both measure around +/-1%, or +/-4%, respectively. I haven’t even looked at the +3.3v rail, because the Amiga doesn’t need it.

Their specs are located here.

With their critical specs being outlined here

picopsu_specs

I wasn’t a math major, but I think this means that the voltages should be between -11.4v and -12.6v. And remember, with load regulation, even without a load, the voltage should be within this range.

But, alas, it’s not:

picoPSU-120_problem_680

So I’m getting -13.8v on the -12v rail, which is a solid 15% off target.

Since the PicoPSU is actually a DC->DC converter, it requires 12v input, but I bought their kit, so they are also providing the normal AC to 12v DC conversion with an EDACPOWER ELEC Model EA11203A. The output of this measures +12.49v which is within the the +/- 5% specified on their spec sheet. So this means that the input is ok. And given that it’s unloaded, the voltage sitting high(er) doesn’t concern me at all.

The ATX Specification states that the regulation can be +/- 10% for the -12v rail is allowed, but on the high(low?) side this is still -13.20v. (Section 3.2.1 DC Voltage Regulation (which is a required section) Table 5.)

I double-checked every measurement with another multimeter to ensure that I’m getting decent numbers.

Some others have mentioned that there’s a few things I can do to solve the problem:

  • Use voltage regulation, likely with a 7912, which would handle the negative rail, but I’d have to be sure to get a LDO one. I ordered an LM2990T-12 today.
  • Use two diodes in series for a 1.2v to 1.4v drop. There’s low currents involved on this rail, perhaps 20 or 25ma. So my voltage drop would likely be 1.2v, which would take me from -13.8v to -12.6v. Much more palatable 5% difference
  • Try testing the Amiga at -13.8v by slowing deviating from -12v using my lab bench supply, the Rigol DP832.

In any event, I wish this would have just worked out of the box.

Perhaps it’s me? Perhaps I’m doing something wrong? What do you think?

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