BigRedX Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Those of you who read my latest post in "How was your gig last night" will have noted that I had major technical problems caused by a wall-wart PSU in my rack which had come slightly out of the 13 amp socket just enough to stop functioning. Since this powers two units which are at the start and end of my signal chain, I need it to be more reliable. The biggest problem is that it doesn't fit as securely into its 13 amp socket as a normal good quality 13 amp plug mostly because of the extra weight of the PSU in the plug. It's a Visual Sound One Spot which AFAIK is the smallest PSU capable of powering the two units (Sony Wireless Receiver and Micro Thumpinator). The power distribution is an EMO unit which is a serious pro-quality piece of kit. So what do the pros do to make these kinds of set ups bomb proof? I looked at cable ties but the PSU is the wrong shape to be held in place like this. I could use Gaffer Tape but I'd like to find a less messy solution before I go down that route. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 TBH, I've never been a great fan of 'wall wart' type PSUs. Not only can they give the problems described, they can also encroach on the adjacent 'plug space' on power strips. And if you think such things can be a problem with the large 3-pin UK-style mains plugs, imagine how much worse it can be with 2-prong US-style connectors. A more 'bomb proof' solution would be to use a PSU with a separate mains lead. Yes, this means additional space requirement but it should be possible to locate such a PSU somewhere inside a rack and then secure it in place with tyraps (I agree about not using gaffer tape). The make up a custom length mains cable so that there's no need to coil up a long lead. Maybe not as easy or convenient to initially put together, but nowhere near as inconvenient as losing power halfway through a gig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1405674929' post='2504174']...Any ideas?[/quote] Good morning, BRX... The PSU you're using can supply up to 1900mA. Do your units really draw that much..? The Thumpinator spec says 60mA 9v, the Sony receiver I looked at draws 90mA, 12v. Any power brick can easily supply that, I should think, and eliminate wall wart plugs altogether if they use a standard EU cable. Something of this sort... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant.htm"]HB Power Brick...[/url] Any use to you..? Edited July 18, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1405676875' post='2504206'] Good morning, BRX... The PSU you're using can supply up to 1900mA. Do your units really draw that much..? The Thumpinator spec says 60mA 9v, the Sony receiver I looked at draws 90mA, 12v. Any power brick can easily supply that, I should think, and eliminate wall wart plugs altogether if they use a standard EU cable. Something of this sort... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant.htm"]HB Power Brick...[/url] Any use to you..? [/quote] That would be brilliant, except that it needs to fit in a 1U rack space. Anything similar but only 40mm high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Something like this? http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/product/7702829/ 33mm high. I'm thinking of the form factor rather than that actual model. There are loads of similar PSUs available with all manner of voltage and current specs that will fit into a 1U space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1405679856' post='2504251'] That would be brilliant, except that it needs to fit in a 1U rack space. Anything similar but only 40mm high? [/quote] Here's a few more, then... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cioks_adam_link.htm"]Cioks Adam Link[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cioks_ac_rider_link.htm"]Cioks AC Rider Link[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cioks_schizophrenic_link.htm"]Cioks Schizophrenic Link[/url] ... Shirley one of these would fit..? Edited July 18, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 They look like they'll fit better, but the price is a bit of a disappointment after the HB version… Also not entirely convinced by the 240V in socket. Any tips for getting the 9V cables to fit securely? The socket on the Thumpinator seems particularly loose. I've Gaffer Taped it up for the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I've had more issues with using centralised PSUs due to the slight connector differences, so my current method of dealing with wall wart PSUs is simple. cable ties. Each one cannot come undone, and fall out of the socket. In fact, my rack is so cable tied that it's now virtually impossible to remove any of the PSUs in there - which has it's own problems, but it does stop this kind of fault when bumped about in the van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 If it's a permanent setup, you could try hard-wiring it. But you'll need to open up the power brick and the Sony and Thumpinator to do it. It is reversible if you're handy with a soldering iron, but the downside is that if your power brick fails at a gig it's not going to be a quick swap over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 The HB units are superb they do a smaller junior version I have one it is nive and small has 5 isolated docks and is under 30 notes http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant_junior.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1405699119' post='2504470'] The HB units are superb they do a smaller junior version I have one it is nive and small has 5 isolated docks and is under 30 notes [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant_junior.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...lant_junior.htm[/url] [/quote] How tall is it? There doesn't appear to be any info on the Thomann web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Hi The first rating on the thomann link above quotes the dimensions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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