Muff's Modules & More

jonkull

I'm sick of my cinder-block sized PSU and want something smaller and more portable. Buchla uses this supply:

http://www.cincon.com/data/products/adcd1_2/TR70.pdf

It's +/-12V @ 5.5A

Looking at the barrel connector tip and ring are positive and negative. Busboards however have connectors for positive, negative and ground. If I wanted to use this supply with a modular it's obvious how the barrel connector would be wired to the bus board for positive and negative but what would the ground connector on the bus board connect to?

Adam-V · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

I think that is actually a single supply; I can't see anywhere in the specs that says it delivers anything other than +12/15/18/19/24/48V depending on the chosen model.

The mechanical specification diagram is a bit misleading, the sleeve designation of V- would most likely refer to 0V not an actual negative voltage.

Cheers,
Adam-V

jonkull · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject:

I believe you are correct. After googling some different supplies it appears that they are all +12v.

Adam-V · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:52 pm Post subject:

There are other switching supplies out there that will deliver dual rails. Not sure how suitable they are for modular purposes though I believe there are some folks here using them with no issues. I think there is a thread around somewhere devoted to the topic.

Cheers,
Adam-V

BugBrand · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject:

The way Buchla does it does, I think, use a supply like this, but then it feeds DC-DC converters within the frames which produce the required bipolar supply.

ie:
DC 12V wall-wart feeds internal +/-15V DC-DC converters (and probably others for other power lines within the system). Have a look at Mouser (catalogue around page 1205) for some examples of the type of thing.

CJ Miller · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:14 pm Post subject:

Any guesses as to why new Buchlas are built this way? It sounds much easier to me to start with a decent bipolar supply. DC-DC converters in each module sound like a way to add more cost and inefficiency.

BugBrand · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject:

It isn't DC-DC converters in every module - just inside the frame(s?) underneath the bus-boards (well, never seen underneath them, but that's my presumption). It is smart because you (the end user) just need a regular off the shelf style external supply (you could run it off a car battery even).

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:51 am Post subject:

You could buy the barebones Flight of Harmony supply.

jonkull · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:18 pm Post subject:

Yeah but then I'd have to get a housing for it and wire it up. Using something self contained and off the shelf is more appealing. I just wish that the Serge psu wasn't so gigantic. It's bigger than a toaster.

dualmono · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject:

You could wire two switching supplies for +12V and -12V. I did that and they're working just fine. Be sure to check the specs so you have enough amperes though.

synthnut · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:

I've used a tri-rail plug-in switcher to power my sequencer cabinet with no troubles. It's running 2 x Q960, a Moon 563 and 552. It also ran a 564 but that's no elsewhere.
It'e like this:
http://cpc.farnell.com/xp-power/pcm50ut04/psu-desktop-5v-12v-50w/dp/PW 01273
Now, it was +/-12V I realise, but everything worked OK. I wouldn't use it with the audio stuff that is specced for 15V unless I had some MOS-LAB! I'm now using some Power-One 75W tri-rails though...

Keep wiggling!

Ben

www.resynthesis.co.uk
www.bigbluewave.co.uk

Funky40 · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

I use switched PSUs and believe that my tracking problems come from those. I use the ones from Traco which are not the cheapest ones

mikecameron · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject:

Isn't the TipTop Audio Zeus power supply exactly what you're wanting to do? or are you not building Euro...

Pfurmel · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:53 am Post subject:

^I think he wants it for Serge:

rastko · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:53 am Post subject:

Hi,

"I just wish that the Serge psu wasn't so gigantic. It's bigger than a toaster."

I have a PS6 wich is a size of a Fridge its not even funny . I shall putt wheels on it .

Dont know much about this but Rob Hordijk's Blippoo Boxes use this power supply (it is a switching power thing) :

Dont`t have time to check where it is from and where it is available (sorry kids on my back) or if they make ones with more power but it is very small and could fit in a case easy.

Hope this helps somebody

have a nice day

rastko

ndkent · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:10 am Post subject:

Yes Tiptop Zeus follows the same concept and can use the same +12 switching unit. Not that it delivers as much power per set of converters as the Buchla and of course you wouldn't want to run the others modules off it once converted

You wouldn't want to use just a switching unit, even if it's +12 -12 without further regulation.

I would think the Blippo Box was built for that kind for supply. He's not trying to drive his .com modules from it.

Years ago Blacet sold the biggest wallwart I've ever seen. It wasn't cheap, I kind of remember about $60 and it delivered 250mA to a Frac power connector so that's like one case with nothing demanding in it.