? Best source for 3 volt power on AA1 ???

I am trying to locate all my source options for 3 volt power. I have a FM Transmitter that should be easy to complete, I just need a reliable 3v source. So far, I have the following ideas:

1) Pin 23 on PCIe header
2) Power feed off of the fidohub solderless touchscreen hub (already own)
3) ???

Any other ideas out there for reliable power locations on the AA1 8gb version for sourcing 3v power? Anyone know if my idea of using pin 23 will cause any issues? Thanks to all who respond.

 

The attaching pads for the SATA drive are unused on your computer. Plenty of 3.3 v pads.

SATA Data pinout
SATA PinOut, Data Pin # Signal Name Signal Description
1 GND Ground
2 A+ Transmit +
3 A- Transmit -
4 GND Ground
5 B- Receive -
6 B+ Receive +
7 GND Ground

SATA Power pinout
SATA PinOut, Power Pin # Signal Name Signal Description
1 V33 3.3v Power
2 V33 3.3v Power
3 V33 3.3v Power, Pre-charge, 2nd mate
4 Ground 1st Mate
5 Ground 2nd Mate
6 Ground 3rd Mate
7 V5 5v Power, pre-charge, 2nd mate
8 V5 5v Power
9 V5 5v Power
10 Ground 2nd Mate
11 Reserved -
12 Ground 1st Mate
13 V12 12v Power, Pre-charge, 2nd mate
14 V12 12v Power
15 V12 12v Power

 

Thanks jerryt, that is good news. However, I was planning on using the SATA port for an eSATA connector mod like tnkgrl did recently.

Would there be any issues driving the small FM transmitter off the same SATA connection? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not 100% sure. Thanks again for the the reply and info.

 

Tnkgrl's mod is not using any power, only the SATA data pinouts.

 

Just use 5v usb power. There's plenty of unused pads on the motherboard. They're easy to spot and easy to solder.
Just use some resisters to bring down the voltage.

 

OK, I think I am good on this now. Thanks again to all for the tips.

 

As I know, Pin 23 of PCIe is not V3.3. Instead, Pin 24 and 52 are both +3.3v. Actually, I used Pin 52 and 50 as +3.3 and ground for my bluetooth adapter. It is quite easy to get it connected to those two pins of the spare 3G PCIe port at the bottom of the MB.

And of course, you need to apply a jumper to make the power supply get to that port, as shown in tnkgrl's 3G mod.

 

Pin 24 is 3.3 v aux which means there is voltage when the cpu is off.

pins 2 and 52 on Mini PCI Express are simply 3.3v

 

It was late when I was originally writing this and pin 24 is indeed what I meant. Thanks again for the great info. I was curious what Aux meant exactly, since I could think of several ideas. I definitely want this on switched power. And since I am not trying to use the SATA connector, so far pin 52 seems like the best source for 3v power on this FM transmitter. I was concerned over the troubles others had using that as a source, but after reviewing the issues were caused by trying to mount a drive on that connector and not from an accessory. I think I got it all planned now, I am just making final SSD decisions. You guys have been great, and very timely.

 

I remember last time when I took MB out, I tested the connection between Pin 24 and Pin 52 with my V/O meter. It seems that Pin 24 is simply connected internally with Pin 52 and Pin 2. Are you suggesting that such a connection will be cut off when CPU is hibernating?

 

The notes on the Mini PCI Express pinout says that pin 24 3.3 aux is for "Power 3.3 Volt, also present if main CPU is off, support for WAKE#". I have not tested the motherboard.

See pinout here; http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/PCI ... _Mini_Card