Muff's Modules & More

[modularplanner]

Hi,

I posted a reply in one of the Klee threads at EM regarding how to actually power the klee, thanks to Scott there for drawing up a schematic of a psu i could use with a wall wart as one option.

I've been thinking about this a bit more now and would prefer to mount a PSU inside a 6U MDF Rack box I've dug up but with just an IEC socket mounted at the rear of the box (like a Doepfer suitcase). What I plan to do is clean up the box and mount the Klee in there with the bridechamber panel along with other future 5U diy modules.

Is there a PSU kit I can buy that could power the Klee and a couple of other 5U modules in a similar fashion to the power boards used in a eurorack case (MOTM-990?). As I know diddly about powering diy stuff I of course want a safe option to build. Reading up on the PSU's on Elbys site and the "Lethal Voltages" stuff always gets me nervous

[sandyb]

the oakley compact psu looks like it might be suitable for your needs?

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7917

[Luka]

http://skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1100&s trVarSel=&strCompare=

[sduck]

The easiest option would be to just buy one from Paul Schreiber - the 900 in kit form is really easy, especially if you don't know what you're doing. Can't get fried with it. I don't know what brand of 5u you're ultimately interested in, but synthesizer.com also has some decent options, and probably a little cheaper.

And Luka's recommendation is really good too, (if he hasn't bought the last one they had) if you want to go low budget/diy. All you'll need with that is an integrated IEC plug/switch/fuse, and a distribution board of some kind. I've done this option in the past, and can help with part numbers if that's how you want to go.

I haven't tried the skycraft psu's (although there are 8 sitting on the floor of my office) - I've used the power one equivalents, which sell for about 3 times as much. They have remote sensing however, which may or may not be a good thing.

[modularplanner]

I've not thought about a particular 5U Format as it just gong to be running a klee and the resonator plus whatever else I can cram in the 19" case alongside them. I suppose the 900 kit with its panel can go on back of the case somehow along with a 960 adapter board and the 900 has the IEC all built in .

Do you know know if its a simple process to connect the 960 adapter board to the Klee's power connection, just a matter of wiring a custom power lead?

To be honest I am getting a little intrigued by the 5U format now DIY wise and can see this all expanding once i get a handle on things

[sduck]

[pleaseohplease]

Hi sduck,

regarding

[sduck]

The power inlet I used is the Schurter IEC320, Mouser 693-4304.6090. Only 9$, but there are a lot of other ones that'll work. The distribution board is one I got from Paul Schreiber at motm, the 960. You can find it at http://www.synthtech.com/motm.html, then click the order page, and then the accessories page. These usually get shipped out almost immediately, so they aren't a part of the usual motm delivery lag. At 40$, maybe overkill for your application, but perhaps someone has a cheaper alternative, or you could roll your own solution if you need to save some $$$.

[pleaseohplease]

thanks sduck,

I've already got a distro board ready to go. So pretty much get that $15 psu and one of those plugs from mouser and I should be good to go? When it comes to psu stuff I'm incredibly . The perpetual threat of frying myself usually tends to scare me away before i even begin. Is it really as straight forward as some people make it seem?

[Luka]

it wasnt until i tried to make some sparks for fun with live wires that i overcame my fear of psus and 240V. I was so nervous wiring my first transformer to psu. so (while holding insulated cable) i quickly just tapped the hot and nuetral wires together.. zap. then i kinda knew what was happening. no drama.

i still fear blowing up my modules but im not so worried about dealing with high voltage wires anymore

good to be cautious but i think with a level of safety, common sense and a basic knowledge of what does what you should be ok with wiring psus.

a good thing to have on hand is your trusty multimeter. you can continually test the voltage polarity at each stage so there is little chance of wiring anything the wrong way

[Luka]

just re-reading that post, ergh hehe

dont play with electricity kids

[sduck]

Those things and some 16 gauge wire and enough hardware to hold it all together securely. The wiring's pretty straightforward - you've got 3 wires coming out of the power inlet - they all attach to the psu - read the docs to make sure they're corrected to the right places (this is the critical part). The psu should have well marked outs - check them with your dmm while powered up to the mains (be careful at this point!) to make sure the voltages are correct and that the + side is indeed +; the - side indeed -. Then just connect the 3 wires from the appropriate outs to the appropriate connectors on the distro board. Recheck everything once it's wired up, and then make sure all the wires you've just been messing with are out of the way of the modules you're going to be installing - and you're good!

Oh - and while you're messing with the hardware and wiring, try to remember to keep the power disconnected from everything! Don't rely on the switch to keep you safe while you're hand is in the cabinet - there're a lot of wires in there!

[pleaseohplease]

thanks guys. Your advice definitely makes things sound easier and safer than I originally thought. For the time being though I decided to go either this route...

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/WALLWARTSUPPLY/WALLWART SUPPLY.php

because I already built one for a +/-15 bench supply for my breadboards and it works *pretty* good. Voltages are a little unbalanced.

or this route...

http://www.futurlec.com/Mini_Power_Dual_12V.shtml

Because it looks sexier and thus hopefully gives cleaner power.

These should both be fine to run euro modules (or klee), correct?

Thanks!