Where can I find a PSU to replace FSP250-50GBC?

[JonathanMortimer]

Hi!

I have an NEC Powermate VL250 with a dead PSU, does anyone have any idea where I could find a suitable replacement for the power supply? It doesn't have to be the exact same PSU, as long as it's at least 250W, has the required outputs and fits in the available space. I would re-house the motherboard in a new cheap case but it appears to be a custom design to fit only this chassis, which is quite annoying.

The old PSU is shown here -

http://www.fsp-group.com.tw/english/1_product/2_detail.asp?mainid=1&fid=152&proid=606

Dimensions are 175 x 81.5 x 40.5 mm, there is pretty much no room for anything larger.

Failing that, where might I find a replacement unit that I can get the (working) power supply from (in the UK)? I have trawled fleaBay but found very few NECs and no matching replacement PSUs.

Thanks for any help.

 

[wahnula]

Check this out:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=44666

This PSU is called a Flex ATX. It's a little on the small size, but you might be able to get by with it. Best of luck!

Tony


Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[JonathanMortimer]

Thanks. We were hoping for something a little cheaper really; a whole new case could be purchased for less than £50 (with a larger wattage PSU), our only problem is that the darn motherboard won't fit the standard screw points.

Am I right to be looking for 250W minimum, 300W if possible to prevent future failures due to overloading? I don't know exactly what the computer draws but I presume that 250W is probably quite close to the edge.

 

[wahnula]

So...cheaper, more powerful, and half a world away. There are PSU calculators (use Google) that will tell you what you need. Honestly I think 200 watts will be plenty, but like I said, run your gear through a PSU calculator; you may be surprised what you will find.

Now that you know it's called a "Flex ATX" you can shop some local stores, I only know of Maplin because Martin (paparazi) kept listing them as a source. Another source he listed was ebuyer.uk I believe.

If you still want to re-use the board w/ a standard case you should be able to mod it with a drill & a tap for the standoffs.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[JonathanMortimer]

Thanks for the extra info, I'll give the PSU calculator a go. Right now the system is hooked up to a standard 300W PSU which is sitting on the desk, the motherboard won't operate outside of the chassis due to the heat sink arrangement...

The problem is not just the stand-off holes (which are all in non-standard positions), the CPU heat sink bolts directly onto the chassis through four holes in the motherboard, pressing down on the CPU via four springs on the mounting points. This would probably require quite a bit of precise modification to a new case which we don't have the tools for (or time, or inclination!) Grr's go out to NEC for making a custom motherboard like this when it surely wasn't necessary.

 

[wahnula]

the CPU heat sink bolts directly onto the chassis through four holes in the motherboard

I agree this is the most idiotic proprietary system I have heard of!

My modder head sees me using my Dremel with the cutoff blade going around the entire motherboard/case arrangement, cutting off the bottom of the case that holds the motherboard with the motherboard still attached. Now this piece of steel can be screwed/bolted into a standard case, with or without standoffs, you'd just need to fit a custom I/O back panel or simply forgo that item. A last gasp would be a generous amount of construction adhesive between the piece of metal holding the motherboard & the inside of the new case! Gotta have an imagination...but anything can be done!

Or...get extension cables for the PSU, leave it outside the case. There are many ways to beautify cables, I'm thinking of the accordion-style sheath with the slit in it...mount the PSU in an electronics project box or just leave it out. Artsy.

I still think a 200-Watt name-brand PSU will be fine. Many off-brand 300-Watt PSUs only put out 200 watts or so. The "300" is max wattage, downhill, with a tailwind.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[BadBigBen]

Sounds like a 1U Rack mount PSU to me...

see:

200W ATX, Special size for 1U rack, Shuttle PC. #23

http://www.evercase.co.uk/PowerSupplyUnits.htm#1U PSU FSP200 50PLA

and the one below it (#24) is a bit longer 190mm, see if there is the extra room in that case...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[paparazi]

Strange..... NEC don't list this model...are you sure of the number?

http://www.nec-computers.co.uk/support/

I've spent some time looking for this PSU and it looks as rare as hens teeth...
It's a dificult one but I'm sure SOMETHING could be done to make the motherboard fit a standard case, even if it meant screwing it to 1/4inch plywood (same depth as standard sized stand off's) I just know it wouldn't be that much of a job..
Martin



On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[wahnula]

Martin...I think it's a VL 260. When replying to a post, I Google the product, then click "Images" and get a picture of what the machine looks like. The closest "VL" model is the VL 260.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[paparazi]

If my research is correct then the motherboard is an
ECS Veracruz GZ
See;

http://www.nec-computers.co.uk/support/pib.asp?platform=spec_veracruzGZ&mode=default&source=1409

And to me.....it looks like a pretty standard mATX mounting layout....??
It actually states; µATX 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm Form Factor
These are full ATX depth but not full length...nothing particularly unusual and will fit in a standard Midi ATX case.
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[JonathanMortimer]

Or...get extension cables for the PSU, leave it outside the case. There are many ways to beautify cables, I'm thinking of the accordion-style sheath with the slit in it...mount the PSU in an electronics project box or just leave it out. Artsy.

How ever much I'd love to create such an elegant piece, this is for use by office plebs in a podium arrangement so it wouldn't be practical, that's not even to mention the health and safety considerations (they have a nasty habit of moving around the office and wanting to take their machines with them when I'm on another site).

If my research is correct then the motherboard is an
ECS Veracruz GZ

Sorry, the layout is completely different to this board picture. There is no floppy connector, and the heat sink sits over the CPU and extends to a large fan mounted vertically at the front edge of the board (pulls air in from the front of the machine).

The machine is actually pictured on the NEC support page (far left:

http://www.nec-computers.co.uk/support/

) but I can no longer find this model in any of the support documentation. I'm sure I found it before. Strange!

 

[JonathanMortimer]

wahnula...

I did a search for PC power calculators and tried a few out, they all came up with answers well over 200W (lowest was 229W), and although I know this would be full load I still reckon it's not worth the risk to put in a 200W PSU, the original 250W was probably barely enough to cover the system under full load (and that would probably be without any additional cards or every USB port drawing power).

Probably my best hope is to find a same or similar system with some other fault.

 

[wahnula]

Agreed. There comes a time to cut your losses (your time is valuable) and move on. eBay's always a good place to start...

Tony

Users helping Users...