I am using a dot com portable cabinet with the supplied power module.
Just wondering if this is normal.
It always take a long time to power on when I try to turn it on.
I will plug it in, flip the power switch and nthing happens, let it sit for a minute, turn it off, let it rest for a minute and then turn the switch again.
Still nothing.
Sometimes this takes 20 minutes, sometimes it take five minutes.
Just wondering if this is normal.
Power supply question
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VortexRanger
- reticulating splines
- Posts: 2498
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:13 pm
- Location: North Carolina
Does it eventually power up every time?-
JohnLRice
Do you have a lot of modules in the cabinet? There is a known issue with Power-One type supplies that if the power on "in rush" of current is to high it might lockup and not deliver power. You could try unplugging half of your modules and see if the problem goes away.
If that's your problem I suppose you could resolve it by using a larger power supply or using a power-up sequencer/delay like this one from Cat Girl Synth:
http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgs63_psd.html
Or maybe the powersupply or a synth module is defective and causeing the problem?
I think the best way to go about figuring this out is to test the power supply with NO modules attached. If it behaves OK, attach one module and check again. Keep adding modules until it has a problem etc.
If that's your problem I suppose you could resolve it by using a larger power supply or using a power-up sequencer/delay like this one from Cat Girl Synth:
http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgs63_psd.html
Or maybe the powersupply or a synth module is defective and causeing the problem?
I think the best way to go about figuring this out is to test the power supply with NO modules attached. If it behaves OK, attach one module and check again. Keep adding modules until it has a problem etc.
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Orbless
- Super Deluxe Wiggler
- Posts: 1202
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:57 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA
It is a full 22 space cab with the power supply that is supplied with it and supposed to work, it isnt 22 modules, only eleven of the modules are powered, 2 multiples and 2 mixers are passive modules, so I don't see how there could be too much power draw.
It seems like it just takes some time to warm up.
When this happens, i flip the switch off, and the leds will flash during the power down, don't know if this means anything.
It seems like it just takes some time to warm up.
When this happens, i flip the switch off, and the leds will flash during the power down, don't know if this means anything.
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JohnLRice
Yeah, 11 or so modules should run fine on even a relatively small supply.
Do you have a decent voltage meter? (a cheap $15 one should be decent enough!
)
I would definitely unplug all the individual modules from the power supply and test the power by itself. If it still takes a while (like longer than a second) to come up to full power then I'd guess there is a flakey power regulator or capacitor etc in it.
If the the power comes up fine though, I would tirn it off, plug in just one module and try it again. Go though each module by itself to see if you can find one or more that causes the power problem. Make sure you use the same DC power each time (in case one of those is mis-wired . . . probably not but you can test those later if need be)
Do you have a decent voltage meter? (a cheap $15 one should be decent enough!
) I would definitely unplug all the individual modules from the power supply and test the power by itself. If it still takes a while (like longer than a second) to come up to full power then I'd guess there is a flakey power regulator or capacitor etc in it.
If the the power comes up fine though, I would tirn it off, plug in just one module and try it again. Go though each module by itself to see if you can find one or more that causes the power problem. Make sure you use the same DC power each time (in case one of those is mis-wired . . . probably not but you can test those later if need be)
I was able to power up two full portable cabinets (around 30 modules) for many years with my entry system PS. It wasn't until I added a third cabinet that I started having issues like you describe and had to buy a second PS.
But, with only 11 modules, you should have no problems at all. Maybe you should disconnect all the modules, except for the power interface, and add them one by one to check if one of them is causing the issue. Otherwise, I would contact Roger and ask him (nicely) to replace the PS (especially if it's relatively new).
But, with only 11 modules, you should have no problems at all. Maybe you should disconnect all the modules, except for the power interface, and add them one by one to check if one of them is causing the issue. Otherwise, I would contact Roger and ask him (nicely) to replace the PS (especially if it's relatively new).
Do you know what the model of the power supply is (i.e. QPS1, QPS3, etc.)? Do you have it connected to a power control module like a Q137 that has the LEDs? If so, do you notice that not all buses come on when the power is turned on? Is the power supply set for the correct line voltage for your area?
There are a number of posts on the dotcom site concerning power supply start up problems (search: power supply start). Most try to explain the problem as the supply not having enough capacity. This is probably not the cause of most startup problems.
Some of these linear supplies have over voltage sensors. This can be one cause of start up issues. If the sensor is set too low, the initial surge before the regulator servos the voltage to the right level will crowbar the bus. Since this is an extra cost option, most supplies won't have these. These supplies also have separate sense terminals that are usually jumpered directly to the output terminals. If one of those was missing, it would cause this type of problem, but you would think that a problem like this would have been caught in QC.
There were a couple of posts that I recall about some design issue with the ua723 regulator chips (used in most of these) that would prevent it from starting but I couldn't find the specific entries. You may be able to. I think it was a brand (manufacturer) related issue. I also recall a few posts about a power supply that had its 115v/220v changeover wiring reversed. Roger had to fix that one. You should get a meter to help with the troubleshooting.
There are a number of posts on the dotcom site concerning power supply start up problems (search: power supply start). Most try to explain the problem as the supply not having enough capacity. This is probably not the cause of most startup problems.
Some of these linear supplies have over voltage sensors. This can be one cause of start up issues. If the sensor is set too low, the initial surge before the regulator servos the voltage to the right level will crowbar the bus. Since this is an extra cost option, most supplies won't have these. These supplies also have separate sense terminals that are usually jumpered directly to the output terminals. If one of those was missing, it would cause this type of problem, but you would think that a problem like this would have been caught in QC.
There were a couple of posts that I recall about some design issue with the ua723 regulator chips (used in most of these) that would prevent it from starting but I couldn't find the specific entries. You may be able to. I think it was a brand (manufacturer) related issue. I also recall a few posts about a power supply that had its 115v/220v changeover wiring reversed. Roger had to fix that one. You should get a meter to help with the troubleshooting.