Need help with powering a lot of pedals!

[msurdin]

I am building a big multi effects enclouse like this one here http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=46522.0
It will be holding a bunch of 9v pedals and others with different voltage. I have come up with a really simple solution but this way makes me have 3-4 power cables coming out of the back. I just want to have 1 power cable. One thing Is I want to have a powersupply that is QUIET, or relatively quiet.

Can anyone help me with this project?

Thanks a whole bunch!

Matt

[O]

How big/small of an enclosure were you thinking about?

[NaBo]

Arf? Why would you need multiple power cables?  You could have one mains power connection feeding several different transformers, or just one transformer, say 20-25V (provided it can dish out enough amps) feeding a few different voltage regulator circuits... One at 9v, one at 12v, one at 18v, or whatever you need.  You could also just regulate to 9v and charge pump for 12.  Those are a few ways of approaching it off the top of my head.  Main advice I can give is be careful with the mains wiring, and consider the current capabilities of your xformer(s)

[msurdin]

Thats the problem I dont want multiple cables. I dont know how to do it any other way.
It will be about 40 or so inches long, and 15 or so wide. the shape of the enclosure in the link i posted.


I think I will also want to have 2 pr 3 external 9v jacks on the back for pedals I might lay on the top after I build.
I wouldnt think this would be very very hard to do. I just need someone with experience to give instructions.

Thanks
Matt

[NaBo]

Well, that's what I'm saying, your problem doesn't exist-  you will never need more than ONE power cord.  Make all the necessary mains connections to transformers inside the enclosure from the same power cord.

As for the external 9v jacks for expansion (or just about any other problem), search power supplies here or on just about any of the link sites provided.  Simple, and covered extensively.

[msurdin]

Maybe we are getting mixed up. The only way I could figure out how to do this was with multiple power chords. I am just learning about the powering side. So I wanted to know how to power all my effects via the 1 cable.
And like I said before there are there pedals that use more voltage then 9v.

Thanks
Matt

[Auke Haarsma]

Hi,

you're struggling with the exact same issue is I am A powersupply for a multi-fx unit (see my project in my sig below).
What NaBo is saying is correct:

-ONE power cable from 230V (or 110V where you live) to the powersupply unit (PSU) in your multi fx enclosure. There will be a transformer (or two), putting the 230V to, say, 18V en 9V. See, we have two different voltages now, but still one *main* external power cable.

-Next you can filter, regulate, change these 18V/9V to -9V, 28V etc via a few chips (see Geofex.com for some great articles. See: http://www.geofex.com/circuits/+9_to_33.htm and http://www.geofex.com/circuits/+9_to_-9.htm).

-Now you have (example) 18V, 9V, 28V, -9V, 15V etc. Whatever voltage you need, you can take it from your internal PSU. If you need to power external fx (something I need too for my project) you can just wire an powerplug from your PSU.

Hth and good luck!

[Auke Haarsma]

btw, right now I think I'll use a different approach. I have not yet worked with high voltages (230V etc) and prefer not too Therefor my main input will be a 9V OneSpot adapter (1000mA), which I'll then split up into multiple filtered 9V pads, and some -9V, 18V, 25V pads for special pedals.

[modsquad]

Keep in mind the 1-Spot does not work with every single battery powered effect.  Not complaining, but I am having issues with mine with two mxr phasers that I have.   I need to send it in and they will replace it.   I ordered two of the Weber "spider" transformers, I am going to use one in my pedal board and use charge pumps for voltages +15, +18 connections.

[msurdin]

Thanks for explaining it that way Ponq. I will most likely have 6-9 9v pedals, 1 18 v pedal, 2-3 9v jacks on the back, and 2 pedals at 120v. The manual for the 120 said thats vac...stupid question thats still volts right?? From what Ponq was saying IT does not seem hard. Where can I find out how to wire this up?

Thanks A lot

Matt

[Ben N]

One possible solution: Get yourself one of these:

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/pdlxfmr.gif

and run separate regulators and filters, and maybe a charge pump, off the taps.

Ben

[remmelt]

Vac is Volt, Alternating Current or AC (as opposed to DC which comes out of batteries.)

[Ben N]

Right, of course each would have to be rectified.

[aron]

I think my One Spot I just bought said 1700ma? Is that correct?

Mine works fine with all 5 pedals; one being a Line 6 Echo Park.

[BubbaKahuna]

Mine is just about done using the Weber transformer.

I'll have 8 separately regulated 9vdc 300mA outs and one 9vdc 2A out.
I still have to build a regulator for the 2A circuit with a charge pump up to 12v to run my wireless receiver.
I'll also build a small 12v computer power supply fan into the base to keep it all cool.
Once it's done, it'll be built into my pedalboard under the platform with a single 115vac computer cable powering the whole thing.

Since the wireless is built into my pedalboard, I'll only need one signal cable going back to the amp.
Two if I need to use the channel switching on the amp, which I probably will.

[Ben N]

I think my One Spot I just bought said 1700ma? Is that correct?

Mine works fine with all 5 pedals; one being a Line 6 Echo Park.

I believe that is right, and I had the same result, also including an EP. "Course, my rig worked just as well with a 500 ma wall wart as with the 1-Spot, and neither single suply can convince my Line6 Space Chorus to play well with others. 

BTW, nice job, Bubba.

Ben

[NaBo]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=33201.0

This was my power supply with two 400mA transformers.  I stick it in the middle of my board and send a daisy chain left and right.

You can see how it's wired with just one power cord feeding two separate supplies.  You can regulate to any voltage depending on the 78xx chip you use---  Keep in mind that the majority of these chips are rated at around 1-1.5A though, so if you are really powering a substantial number of devices or power-hungry digitals, you'll need to look at the limitations for power draw imposed on them, too, not just your transformer(s).

Hope that helps, sorry about any confusion earlier.

[Auke Haarsma]

I think my One Spot I just bought said 1700ma? Is that correct?

Mine works fine with all 5 pedals; one being a Line 6 Echo Park.

Yeah you're right, my mistake I thought 1000mA was already a lot, just checked and it's even providing 1700 mA.  Plenty for my project

[Dave_B]

One possible solution: Get yourself one of these:
https://taweber.powweb.com/store/pdlxfmr.gif
and run separate regulators and filters, and maybe a charge pump, off the taps.

A couple of days ago, I noticed that Smallbear carries these also.  If you're already ordering from Steve, that could save you some postage.

[gez]

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Projects-BP-Penfold/dp/0900162961

Covers all the basics of PS design.  Usefull little book...