Jump to content
12 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

We got any electrical engineers here? :) I am definitely not one, and trying to not to damage my BT dongle.

 

I got myself an original Apple Bluetooth dongle, A1114, complete with an antenna and a connector.

So I have to reduce the voltage from 5V to 3,3V.

For that I bought a simple voltage regulator. TO-220, https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/LD1117V33.pdf

According to the guy in the shop this should do just nice regulating 5V down to 3,3V on the USB port.

 

My questions:

 

I also read I could drop the 3,3V from the PSU, since the orange wire provides 3,3V, however some say it might be unstable or not good for the dongle. Correct?? I mean, I do have a very good PSU, Corsair HX750.

 

Do I have to put anything else around the voltage regulator, or would it be enough to connect the input/output (left/right connector) to the corresponding wires giving power on the USB connector and the Apple Module, and just connect both ground to the middle pin?

Link to comment
https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/288087-apple-bluetooth-module/
Share on other sites

All PSUs should have a stand-by voltage which is +3.3V. So it should be (in theory) OK to use it. The other question is whenever it is good idea for the module to be powered constantly (as a stand-by voltage is supplied even if a PC is turned off). The conversion route (+5V --> +3.3V), IMO would be a safer way to go.

 

my only question is if I need anything else but the voltage regulator?
I guess no. It should be enough. It's not a CPU after all :)

If it were always on, then I could probably power up the computer with the BT device, mouse or a keyboard I reckon. Otherwise on the USB, no chance... or?

I guess what's why on Macs the module is powered from PSU stand-by circuit so it is could be possible to use a BT keyboard/mouse on boot (though the firmware, read EFI, should also support this as in fact it does).

OK, so if the circuit i powered permanently on the real mac, then i could as well put it on the standby 3,3v on my PSU too? However finding a free SATA connector on my PSU might be a challenge, and I am not keen to cut the connector, I hope I can solve it somehow differently? I guess I could also put it onto molex, just put the wire into the connector, however I would need to use the voltage regulator again... however, does molex also supply 500mA?

OK, so if the circuit i powered permanently on the real mac, then i could as well put it on the standby 3,3v on my PSU too?
I was wrong on the voltage, sorry! The standby voltage for ATX PSU (according to Wikipedia) is +5V, not +3.3V.
I hope I can solve it somehow differently?
http://en.wikipedia....unit_(computer) See the 24-pin connector diagram.
however, does molex also supply 500mA?
You can check how much current can be supplied per rail (Max value) on your PSU. It has a sticker with that info. Usually Molex CAN supply much more than 0.5A. The question is how much current the BT model need and does it have a current limiting circuit on-board? If it doesn't, then you'd need a some sort of resistors to limit the supplied current to the value needed.

If you have a dead SATA HDD/dvd drive around, then a male to female SATA connector could be made. Or you can use this one

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4399d98d6a (minde the price :) ) There are probably more affordable options, just bother to search the ebay/internets...

If you have a dead SATA HDD/dvd drive around, then a male to female SATA connector could be made. Or you can use this one

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4399d98d6a (minde the price :) ) There are probably more affordable options, just bother to search the ebay/internets...

 

Yeah, I bothered, and thanks for finding this. I actually had an idea of buying a male/female sata power extension cable, should be easy to find, for couple of €, and then just cutting off the connector, connect to the psu sata, and use the 3,3v cable...

heres some pic of my homemade bluetooth mod .

put on to a old wifi card backplate. with some help of a bit of screenwash bottle and velcro and a zip ties

 

COST: Nothing (just a bit of brain power)

Not on Ebay. BUY NOW PRICE: A mansion in Beverly Hills and a V10 FORD MUSTANG (Joking) :angel_not:

post-342888-0-26497000-1367522923_thumb.jpg

post-342888-0-17888000-1367522949_thumb.jpg

×
×
  • Create New...