Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

On Mon, Jul 11, 2016 at 04:23:09AM -0400, Caleb Garner caleb.garner@... [CZsynth] wrote:
> I use a power conditioner as the main switch, so that also helps insure 
> regulating power and avoiding spikes..
> 

That's a good idea but won't help with the inrush current of suddenly switching all the gear on simultaneously.

The power ratings are the continuous load, it says nothing about the big surge as all those smoothing capacitors charge up and that is a fair old whack.

> 
> however not to assume too much I found this thread and as you can see 
> yes some opinions are varied but there are guys in here who have done it 
> for many many years and even some pointing out the advantage of not 
> wearing out the on/off switches of aging gear.

Can't say I've ever seen a worn-out on/off switch.  I'm not saying it can't happen, but it wouldn't be the first failure mode I'd look for, put it that way.

> but yea what I'm trying to do is figure out how I can remove the need 
> for using D batteries as a backup since I'm not planning on playing this 
> thing portably though I wouldn't mind keeping that ability of course.

Look at how synths that use Nicad or coin cell batteries (or like the Kurzweils, a stack of HP7s in an easily-accessible hatch underneath) for memory backup.

Basically you want to cut the supply to the RAM chip and add a diode from +5V to the chip, and then add a backup battery with a diode to stop the +5V rail trying to charge it.

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Gordonjcp MM0YEQ