User access to power supply?

[jsnuff1]

Under OSX is it possible for the user to control certain parts of the power supply, or is the power supply totaly hareware dependent? The reason im asking is because im planning on adding a few neon lights to my G5 when i get it, and it would be cool if i could switch them on or off using the terminal or making a program that could make the lights flash etc.

Id imagine this is possible for the G5 since the fans are connected to the power supply and are OS controlled.

[robbieduncan]

I don't think the fans are connected directly to the PSU, but to a custom Apple fan controller unit that is connected to the logic board (probably via USB or maybe PCI). The logic board only gets power from the PSU it does not talk to it at all. Basically the PSU is not controllable in software.

[Nik_Doof]

You'd probably be able to hack something together with a USB->Serial and some funky electronics, sure someones done it in the past but it wont look good. Check out all the PC modding sites, maybe fanbus controllers...

[Nik_Doof]

Yah thought so, this is some guys pet project and hacked one together:

http://www.drunkardswalk.dk/FanbusCK/fanbus_CK.html

[superbovine]

Originally posted by Nik_Doof
Yah thought so, this is some guys pet project and hacked one together:

http://www.drunkardswalk.dk/FanbusCK/fanbus_CK.html

that is pretty cool, you'd just need to port the software to a mac and do a funky serial to usb hack.

you could always go analog
http://www.pctoys.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=519