Introduction

   Anyone with a water-cooling system has one major question that needs to be answered: How will I power my AC pump, when my computer uses DC power? The answer is rather simple, a relay. The people over at Swiftech have been nice enough to put together a kit with the previous question in mind. CrazyPC.com was kind enough to send me one such kit for this review, and I would like to take this time to thank them for this article's sponsorship.

   While planning the installation out in my head, I realized that it would also be possible to incorporate a PCMods.com "Power Down Protector" (or "PDP" for short). The PDP is a kit, which is designed to keep two fans on for a specific amount of time after you shut down your computer. If you would like more information on this product, view our review here.

   My goal for this project was to modify a power supply, so that it would automatically turn a 120w pump on when the computer is turned on, and so it would keep the pump on for a specific amount of time after the computer is shut down. Quite a long goal, but I hope it makes sense when you read it.

The Tools and Materials

   To properly mod this PSU, you will need a few tools and of course the proper hardware. You may be able to use other materials, however the following list is what I used to complete the project.

• Any PSU

• Swiftech 12v Pump Relay Kit

• Power Down Protector Kit

• Soldering equipment

• A few extra wires

• A derail or tin snips

• A drill and a 1/16" bit

• Pop rivets and rivet gun
  

Planning the Installation

   Before opening the PSU, I decided it would be best to draw up a diagram so I would know exactly what to do. I basically combined the instructions for both of the kits, into one easy to follow drawing. I made this diagram for an internal pump power plug (so the pump cord would stay in the case), but on my installation, I installed the pump power plug on the back of the PSU right above the PSU's power plug. The diagram is easier to read this way, but it does not matter if you install the pump power plug on the front or back of the PSU.

   The result of the installation should be something like this: The power and ground from the PSU goes into the PDP unit, and then the line-out from the PDP goes into the 12v and ground lines on the Swiftech relay. The power and ground from the PSU plug hook up directly to the pump power plug, and the 3rd power line runs into through the Swiftech relay, then out to the pump power plug.

Installing the Kits

Note: Before attempting this installation, please unplug your PSU, and give the capacitors several hours to discharge. Failure to do so can result in electric shock! Please use caution!

   I'm sorry that I do not have any in-progress installation pictures, it was too messy to take any. As long as you follow the diagram I provided, your installation should be very painless. As you can see in the photo of the PDP, I connected the IN fan plugs to the PDP by tapping into a 12v and ground wire coming straight out of the PSU. The WOL cable also taps into the PSU: connect it to the purple wire which plugs into the motherboard. On the OUT side of the PDP, the first fan 12v and ground plug into the Swiftech relay. The second fan connection will run out of the PSU for hooking up a case fan. This case fan will also stay on for the desired time when the computer is shut down. The WOL OUT cable runs out of the case as well, for connection to your computers WOL IN plug.

   In the second photo you can see the Swiftech Relay. From left to right, the first two plugs are the power IN line from the PSU's power plug, and the power OUT line to the pump power plug. The next two plugs are the 12v and ground from the PDP out.

   The third photos is of the connections to the pump power plug. You can directly solder the wires to the plug, but I used these insulated jackets instead.

   Once again, this description is rather hard to explain, so your best bet is to follow the diagram I provided.