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External power supply woes...


analogman1

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But there are reasons that company's are using an external power supply (fire hazard for example). Can the power supply get rid of the heat? Or will you have the risk of your board catching fire during a 3 set gig....?

 

We have talked about this quite a bit recently. Something like an old school analog poly pulls a lot of current and generates a lot of heat, but there is little risk from heat in these typical small supplies for today's digital boards.

 

The reason for external supplies is simple. Low cost, and lower time to market.

 

The added cost for an internal supply comes in with having to use a nicer power supply, with a transformer capable of being switched to different voltages for different countries.

 

Even more cost comes when you have to comply with product regulations in some countries, notably the US. In the US, if you want to put AC from the wall inside your product, you have to meet the Underwriters Laboratory safety specs with your instrument.

 

This instrument has to go thru certification testing by the UL Lab. This delays your ability to get to market quickly as the process can be pretty slow. And it is expensive as well.

 

Nord has chosen to go that route and makes a premium instrument at a premium price, as do the big 3 with their top of the line instruments.

 

However, an external supply keeps the AC outside the instrument, requires no UL testing, and to deal with different voltages in different countries, you simply ship a different lump/wart.

 

Mounting an external supply internally is perfectly safe if you have the space, and have the mechanical and soldering skills to do it. Don't attempt otherwise. :cop:

Moe

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Also, I may bypass the factory supplied p/s and go for a much smaller panel mount a/c to d/c transformer.

 

For example, my MOXF6 p/s outputs 12vdc at 1.5amps.

My local electronics store carries tons of panel mount p/s rated at 12vdc, 2 amps. with 115 to 120 vac input. I would go the extra mile and install an appropriate fuse.

 

Are you talking about replacing just the transformer, or also replacing the regulated part of the power supply? Just make sure that the replacement has as good regulation and ripple specs as the instrument needs.

Moe

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Soldering down to pcb level is my forte'.

 

I know all about heat sinks, etc... That and an adjustable wattage soldering setup so as not to melt the plastic inside the keyboard :)

David

Gig Rig:Casio Privia PX-5S | Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage

 

 

 

 

 

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Also, I may bypass the factory supplied p/s and go for a much smaller panel mount a/c to d/c transformer.

 

For example, my MOXF6 p/s outputs 12vdc at 1.5amps.

My local electronics store carries tons of panel mount p/s rated at 12vdc, 2 amps. with 115 to 120 vac input. I would go the extra mile and install an appropriate fuse.

 

Are you talking about replacing just the transformer, or also replacing the regulated part of the power supply? Just make sure that the replacement has as good regulation and ripple specs as the instrument needs.

 

:like:

 

I've been researching and am finding some cool, pcb mounted regulated supplies that should work. I need to review their data sheets.

David

Gig Rig:Casio Privia PX-5S | Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage

 

 

 

 

 

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The Roland and Casio supplies are actually suited as is to go inside since they are actually line lumps rather than wall warts.

 

it the freaking Yamaha PA150 type where the power supply is also the plug in part. Sure I could cobble together something to put it inside, but it's not as elegant a solution as simply attaching an IEC connector in the board's chassis.

David

Gig Rig:Casio Privia PX-5S | Yamaha MODX+ 6 | MacBook Pro 14" M1| Mainstage

 

 

 

 

 

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Mounting an external supply internally is perfectly safe if you have the space, and have the mechanical and soldering skills to do it. Don't attempt otherwise. :cop:

 

thanks for the explanation Moe!

Rudy

 

 

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Switching supplies operate cooler than linear regulated supplies with heavier, larger transformers, but they are also prone to causing audio interference if they weren't intended to be installed close to audio components. Something to consider before cutting holes in panels.

Kurzweil PC4, NS3-88, Kronos 2-61, QSC K8.2's.

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The reason for external supplies is simple. Low cost, and lower time to market.

 

The added cost for an internal supply comes in with having to use a nicer power supply, with a transformer capable of being switched to different voltages for different countries.

 

Even more cost comes when you have to comply with product regulations in some countries, notably the US. In the US, if you want to put AC from the wall inside your product, you have to meet the Underwriters Laboratory safety specs with your instrument.

 

This instrument has to go thru certification testing by the UL Lab. This delays your ability to get to market quickly as the process can be pretty slow. And it is expensive as well.

 

Nord has chosen to go that route and makes a premium instrument at a premium price, as do the big 3 with their top of the line instruments.

 

However, an external supply keeps the AC outside the instrument, requires no UL testing, and to deal with different voltages in different countries, you simply ship a different lump/wart.

 

Mounting an external supply internally is perfectly safe if you have the space, and have the mechanical and soldering skills to do it. Don't attempt otherwise. :cop:

 

Agree, most countries have certification requirements for any electrical appliance. Outsourcing that to a specialist power supply company saves a lot of time and money.

 

By way of comparison the XK3c, at a higher price point than the XK1c comes with a built in globally compatible power supply. But to switch voltage you have to open it up, reset dip switches and change the fuse. Not an issue if it is a one time setup, not as much fun if you are touring.

A misguided plumber attempting to entertain | MainStage 3 | Axiom 61 2nd Gen | Pianoteq | B5 | XK3c | EV ZLX 12P

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...mount the PS inside the instrument where it should be. Put a standard IEC power connector on the chassis.

This.

 

I've done it on four different instruments already. First was a DX7 back in the day (that was just a jack though). Most recently a Fatar Studio 1176.

 

oooh..... new project for me. I have a good dremel type tool with all kinds of cutting wheels....It may be time to mount my power supplies inside my board ;)

 

Since my board's power supplies are all of th two prong variety, I think I should use an IEC C8 plug in the chassis.

Correct?

 

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/escaperocks1/iec_zpsll8wetah.jpeg

 

That's what I did for my Moxf8 and Moxf6. I mounted the power supply inside each keyboard and now I'm just using a two-prong power cords to plug them on. I really dislike external power supplies.

 

Edit: This is my 100th posting! Only took 11 years to get there :-o

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That's what I did for my Moxf8 and Moxf6. I mounted the power supply inside each keyboard and now I'm just using a two-prong power cords to plug them on. I really dislike external power supplies.

 

Edit: This is my 100th posting! Only took 11 years to get there :-o

 

Here's a close-up photo of the Moxf8.

 

MOxf8.pngphoto hosting sites

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