DIY power supply help

[mmckinn]

Does anyone have or able to point me to schematics/design plans for a multi legged power supply build.  I want something similar to the Geofex Spyder but more specifically like the Cioks DC10 with several 9v regulated/isolated DC outs, at least one 12v 400ma regulated/isolated out, and at least one either unregulated 12v 500ma out or one 15-16v isolated/regulated 500ma out (for an Ethos OD pedal).  Any help or direction would certainly be appreciated.  If you guys think it would be cheaper to just buy the Cioks (as much as I hate to shell out 220 clams) I will try to save up for that (or if it is way to complicated an undertaking).  I have worked as a soldering tech in the past so I have plenty of experience there but the design/component selection is beyond me.  
Thanks so so much for any help this community might be able to provide.

[Micahnormal]

Don't think this exactly fits your specs, but I'm building this right now, and it might help you get jump-started. Filtered output between 9-12V

http://www.tonepad.com/getFileInfo.asp?id=111

I've ordered parts from:

Smallbear
Mouser
Tayda Electronics

And had great success (spoken in borat voice) from all. Good luck!

[mmckinn]

much thanks... not exactly what I was wanting but may be a good start... heck, i may build one just for the experience.  Looks like they are not isolated outputs.  Probably kinda like the MXR powerbrick.  The Cioks DC10 is the ideal supply for me (well with maybe a few more 9v outs) ... if anyone knows of any similar projects please let me know.  Again, thanks so much

[R.G.]

You'll want to read "Power Supplies Basics" at geofex.

It has all the info you'll need, albeit in a form you'll have to think about.

[Earthscum]

Since fuses came up...

Would it be feasible to have a fuse to each transformer, correct ratings, as well as a main fuse that would pop before the total load would pop any others downstream? Just thinking that if a short happens at one transformer, it's fuse would go, indicating fault in that circuit. The main fuse would blow if there were surge, or if (by some weird chance) a majority of the circuits failed at the same time. That would probably be obvious due to the foaming and dripping that usually induces mass catastrophe in a pedalboard.

[mmckinn]

hmmm... i read the geofex article... not completely over my head but not sure how to apply it.  Are there companies you can pay to design the layout for a project like this?  I wonder if it would cost more to do that than to just buy the darned Cioks?

By the way, thanks for the input... I really appreciate it.

[toneman]

Goto the National Semiconductor site and get the datasheets for and LM317 adjustable positive regulator and the LM337 adj negative regulator.

Then, look at the standard LM7805 the basic +5V regulator  (the -5 is the LM7905)

Fixed voltage supplies are easy with these off-the-shelf regulators.

Give them a search.... !!

With these datasheets and the info @ GeoFX, U should be able to DIY one up...

Power supplies are the ONE thing that ALL electronic circuits have in common.

[mmckinn]

I know this is quite a request but I also know there are some brilliant people on this forum who might just be up to a challenge.  I am in med school so I don't really have the time I would like to study my old electronics and circuits text books (I was an electrical engineering student for a while... about 12 years ago).  I had certainly hoped some of it would start clicking and make complete sense as I read through the data sheets and GeoFex info but unfortunately it didn't... at least not enough to know where to begin this endeavor.  So here goes....  

I am also wondering how outputs can be made 'switchable'.  Some of them I have noticed have dip switches or the like to change an output from, for example, 9v to 12v or 15v, etc.  It would be nice to have several 9/12v switchable isolated/regulated high current (i.e. 250-400ma) outputs as this would take care of 9,12,18,and 24v pedals (with coupling cables) and then either a couple 15v regulated outs or 12v unregulated outs.  I am completely basing this off my current pedal layout and it is certainly overkill in some areas but, hey, might as well go for the gusto... right?  I do have, I think, substantial space for the supply housing at 18" wide, 6" deep, and a top sloping from 3.25" at the back down to about 1.25".  The 1.25"x18" front panel would have all the barrel jacks for the cables (and maybe the switches).  I believe this would give sufficient room for a couple small cooling fans in the back if needed.  I want to cram as many outputs in this enclosure as feasibly possible.  I believe at least four 12v regulated outs, a couple unregulated 12v outs, and eight 9v regulated outs would be ideal (although if switching is feasible, twelve 9/12v regulated outs and two unregulated 12v outs would be killer).  I am not sure of any pedal that falls outside what this could cover.  Well, on second thought... a courtesy 120v ac outlet or two on the back might be useful for pedals requiring AC power or some weird DC voltage.  

Any thoughts/ideas?  

[mmckinn]

OK... so been reading a little .... and i have lotsa questions....
so would the LM317LZ-TR, LM317LZ-AP, LM317LD13TR be the most appropriate regulators?  Then use toggle switches to switch between resistors to get the voltage selection?   The transformer bit confuses me a little as well.  I guess I would need separate transformers for each output... how do I choose the proper transformers?  Also, in the Geofex Spyder, what is the part thats labeled DB01?  With the Weber 9 legged transformer, is it 300ma to be shared among the 11v secondaries or is it 300ma each?  Also, what could/should be done with the 9v AC 2a winding on the weber?

Thanks so much for all the input thus far... I really want to learn this stuff... just a little impatient I suppose. 

[mmckinn]

So I've decided to use the Weber multi-legged transformer and build 8 fixed 9v outputs according to the Geofex spyder schematics.  About the 9vac leg of the transformer, can I just run that directly to a 9v AC pedal or would some sort of regulator or something be necessary?  I need to add some 12 v DC outs too (still researching that) and I also want to add some 'courtesy' outlets on the back of the supply ...do I just wire those parallel to the primaries? ... would there be some sort of fuses necessary and where? ... just don't wanna kill myself or my pedals...