Power Supply and Wiring

[b00k1sh]

I see many examples in Eurorack format modular of pre-built power supplies with ribbon cables that connect rails to modules. This is probably one of the main reasons why Eurorack (along with its smaller sized modules) has taken off.

I suspect there are solutions to powering DIY modular synths with easy to understand plug and play power. In all my searching for DIY modular, I have yet to see a thorough example (by which I mean tutorial from start to finish) of building power supplies and wiring modules in a simple, easy to understand way.

I want to build a modular, and I like some of the options available from MFOS, but I want to start with understanding the power supply. I would love to see some examples (pictures) of how people are wiring their modules to the power supply. I want to see how the power supply is connected to a bus that would supply +/- 12v.

My ultimate aim will be to have the ability to connect and disconnect modules from the power supply to change the dynamic of the modular setup as I build more modules, and to re-arrange the modules from time to time with ease. For that purpose, I would like to build a power supply that is simply plug and play. There is a reference to attaching supply wires to power buses on the "Synthesizer Cabinet How-To" section of MFOS, but no details.

Any resources to this end will be welcome.

Thanks!

[ashleym]

Here's what I use

http://www.oakleysound.com/dizzy.htm

You can use connectors/plugs each end of the synth power cable. These are just power distribution boards just like a mains block. Several companies make these for the different formats. For MFOS you can use this sort of board just with the power supply giving +/-12v to the distribution board rather than the usual 15v.

It's hard to know what to tell you when I am not sure how much you already know.....

[Skrog Productions]

Power....... if this is your first DIY power supply and you want to run 4 or 5 modules choose Ray's mfos wall wart power supply kit , great for a small project or a handful of modules .

Big Synth...... 20 - 50 or more modules ?
This is where a dedicated and robust design is employed and the sticky point is....... mains electricity and associated adequate earthing and safety connections , protection against indirect contact / over current protection / adequate current carrying capacity and correct voltage ratings of Switch & wiring & transformer , Phew !! , that's a lot , but also .... these coupled with a full understanding of Osal's fantastic & informative post here http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-51694.html .

I would say understanding all that would be a great grounding on the way to building your own mains powered large supply.

I think no one has replied to this because fear of litigation arising from mis-interpreted electrical advice is more powerfull that the shock received from touching something that should have been wired properly and correctly to begin with .

play safe.

This is an unfortunate modular owner's diy supply that he wired badly , the VCO's never sounded the same again........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDLzgZdt8ZM
Dave.

[Skrog Productions]

Flames & fire ,

Planning your system will be the best way , make a list of all the modules that are going into the synth and allow for expansion , list the total current for all the modules (some pcb's list + and - current usage) , when you have the final + and - totals you can then proceed to look at many data sheets which will help in selecting a suitable transformer & Bridge rectifier , from here on it is all about distribution of power.

Dave.