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Included / quoted more of the question text at the start of the answer, so that it is clearer to someone reading the answer, exactly what symptoms I'm referring to.
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SamGibson
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[...] 12V line, with just 2 fans on it, just works few seconds before falling down.

5V line is stable and working, powering arduino and a bunch of sensors.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, this might be the problem, because some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Update: Of course, another possibility is that your PSU has an internal fault.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, this might be the problem, because some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Update: Of course, another possibility is that your PSU has an internal fault.

[...] 12V line, with just 2 fans on it, just works few seconds before falling down.

5V line is stable and working, powering arduino and a bunch of sensors.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, this might be the problem, because some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Update: Of course, another possibility is that your PSU has an internal fault.

Changed wording to make it clear that the OP's suggestion is a possibility, but only a possibility. Another possibility is an internal PSU fault.
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SamGibson
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Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, yesthis might be the problem, because some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail, for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Update: Of course, another possibility is that your PSU has an internal fault.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, yes, some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail, for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, this might be the problem, because some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Update: Of course, another possibility is that your PSU has an internal fault.

Added "+" symbols to make it extra clear that I'm referring to the +12V rail, and not the -12V rail. Clarified that two fans would not be enough load on +12V rail for some PSUs.
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SamGibson
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Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, yes, some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail, for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not be enough of ameet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, yes, some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail, for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not be enough of a load for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Is this about load requirements?

It is impossible to be sure without a proper datasheet. However, yes, some PC PSUs do require a minimum load on their +12V rail, for correct operation. The two fans you mention as the only load on the +12V rail, would not meet the minimum load requirements for some of the PSUs which I have seen.

Without whatever minimum load a specific PSU requires, the +12V rail may fluctuate or may even rise enough to trigger over-voltage protection, and other rails (including the +5V rail) may also be out of regulation.

To test this possibility, connect a car headlight bulb (e.g. 50-60W) to the +12V rail to draw around 5A and see if the bulb remains lit. If it does remain lit, then that confirms your specific PSU requires a minimum +12V load.

Added "+" symbols to make it extra clear that I'm referring to the +12V rail, and not the -12V rail. Clarified that two fans would not be enough load on +12V rail for some PSUs.
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SamGibson
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SamGibson
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  • 63
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