Elektor Formant Modular group photo

Yahoo Groups archive

Elektor Formant Modular

Index last updated: 2026-04-28 22:59 UTC

Message

RE: [ElektorFormant] Re: PSU's suggestions? (OLD THREAD)

2005-07-26 by Kris Bishop

Hi,

It's fine to use a third party psu for this system, I currently have one 
from RS. Just make sure the power ratings are ok. To give you an example I 
had a bench power supply originally that had a max current of 100mA. This 
was ok for individual modules but when I powered up the whole system it just 
couldn't handle it. I know have a new compact supply that can produce 1.8A 
and the whole system runs fine.


I can find out the order number if you want to change or mail me a link to 
the specs for your supply and I'll see if it is ok.

As for knowing if your module works the simply monitor the LED's that are on 
the modules. I think I have some test sequences in my report if you want 
I'll send you it or if possible I'll put it in the files section of the 
group.

Kris
>From: "markfrancombe" <mark@...>
>Reply-To: ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com
>To: ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [ElektorFormant] Re: PSU's suggestions? (OLD THREAD)
>Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2005 18:13:02 -0000
>
>Thanks for the advice.. I will definately give the resistor idea a
>go...
>As for having a voltmeter... well I DO have one, but to be honest, I
>really don't know how to use it ha ha!!! (Yes... and I'm overhauling
>a dusty old 70's synth!)Infact, due to the fact that it is now in
>bits, I was wondering how I can test...
>A) DId I fry the ADSR?
>B) IN future how do I know if the ADSR (or any module) is working,
>when I hook it up to the PSU.
>
>The ADSR was a silly module to first hook up, cos it needs
>connections to other modules to know if its working... (Idont have a
>keyboard.. so I need to modify it so it will accept a gate signal,
>not just the Formant Internal Keyboard trigger, from the Interface
>board...)but from a sequencer (mobius for example).
>
>But I DO want to know...specifically.. IS someone here powering their
>formant from a 3rd party PSU, and is ANYONE useing the Blacet? (Or
>know for DEFINATE that its OK) SOrry if Im being particularly obtuse,
>but Im trying not to blow another module... (If indeed that is what I
>have done)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--- In ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com, "castef@n..." <castef@n...>
>wrote:
> > Hello,
> > a good way to avoyd this kind of problem is to increase the
>internal resistance of your power supply. You can insert a resistor
>of a few hundred ohms in the +15 and the -15 V (but not the 0 V) so
>the intensity (and the power) will be limited. With 200 ohms, if
>there is a problem in your module, you have a limit of 75 mA,
>sufficient to identify a short circuit by analysing the temperature
>of the components, but not sufficient to make smoke. If there is no
>problem, the module will probably works in spite of the resistors.
> > If I remember, the ADSR module has only basic integrated circuit,
>not so hard to replace if they are fried.
> > A voltmeter is very usefull (well, very very usefull).
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > Stephen
> >
> >
> > (from France)
> > ---------- Initial Header -----------
> >
> > From      : ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com
> > To          : ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com
> > Cc          :
> > Date      : Sat, 18 Jun 2005 13:33:53 -0700 (PDT)
> > Subject : Re: [ElektorFormant] Re: PSU's suggestions? (OLD THREAD)
> >
> > Hi Mark,
> >
> > congratulations first. And to the girlfriend too please.
> >
> > 15Volts is 15Volts no matter what PSU you use. Most probable your
>ADSR was due to blown anyway. Old modules can be tricky. check all
>PCB tracks before powering up I would say. If something is faulty on
>the power tracks you might end up giving 30Volts (15+15) to some
>component that was designed to be working on 15V
> >
> > Dirk
> >
> > markfrancombe <mark@m...> wrote:
> > Hi again,
> > Time has passed and, my Formant overhaul took a short break because:
> >
> > a) I bought a few Blacet modules and have been building them and..
> > b) Discovered girlfriend is pregnant, :-)
> >
> > BUT... Re: prev thread,(subject line) My Formant PSU is a messy old
> > thing and I asked way back if anyone knew if it could be powered by
> > the Blacet PSU (which I was buying anyway).
> >
> > Well, just hooked up an Formant ADSR module to the Blacet PSU...to
> > see.. and er.. no... it didnt work.. there was a funny smell and
>the
> > IC's got VERY hot before I ripped out the power... so maybe I blew
> > the damn module??
> >
> > Now The Blacey is +15 0 -15 and the Formant is +15 0 -15, so WHY
> > WONT IT WORK?? Should I just tidy up the Formant PSU and use it
> > anyway? (It REALLY is a mess) or is there another option?
> >
> > mark
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >    To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElektorFormant/
> >
> >    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > ElektorFormant-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
>Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Sports
> >  Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football
> > ************************ ADSL JUSQU'A 8 MEGA + 3 MOIS DE TELEPHONE
>GRATUIT ************************
> > L'ultra haut d\ufffdbit \ufffd 15EUR/mois seulement ! Et vous t\ufffdl\ufffdphonez
>gratuitement en France vers les postes fixes,
> > hors num\ufffdros sp\ufffdciaux pendant 3 mois.
> > Pour profiter de cette offre exceptionnelle, cliquez ici :
>http://register.tiscali.fr/adsl/  (voir conditions sur le site)
>
>

Attachments

Move to quarantaine

This moves the raw source file on disk only. The archive index is not changed automatically, so you still need to run a manual refresh afterward.