#42

Old thread, but I’m wondering if all eurorack power supplies are capable of being powered via batteries, or if there’s some sort of incompatibilities to watch out for? I ask because the description of the Pulp Logic LBZ54 specifically mentions being compatible with certain batteries, which implies that not all PSU’s would be fine to power that way. Is that the case?

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#43

Technically yes, you can generate a -12 and +12 v psu directly from a battery and put it straight onto a busboard. but in reality its not that simple (or a good idea).

There are really 2 kinds of PSU with regards to battery power

First is a typical outlet psu, often these are linear or have something else going on under the hood. This is the type of PSU that is just a plug coming out of the case that will go direct to the wall. Take old monorocket cases, Trogotronic, etc. as examples. These will need to use a generator or a AC inverter, it’s paramount that it has a full sine wave pattern on the output or you will get a loud whine in the signal path (read:expensive). These are the least forgiving type for travel, as they’ll need the most expensive setup to run remotely.

Second is the barrel / laptop brick style PSU. This is what 4ms, pulp logic, KOMA, and others are. For these the power signal is being converted in the brick to DC before hitting the PSU. in this case you’ll just need a battery to match the specs of the input on the PSU module. for example I use a RavPower 19v battery with my 4ms row power.

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#44

There are a lot of options that will work to power a case from batteries. I just listed a few that I have used personally but new and better packs are coming out all the time. The pack needs to provide a voltage between 9V and 18VDC and be able to deliver enough current to power the case. The current needed depends on the modules installed and the voltage used, but around 3A should cover most situations for the LBZ54. The lowest cost solution is an unregulated 12V battery which should stay within the 9-18V range under all states of charge. Pair it with a little solar panel and you can stay off the grid forever.

If you have something your are considering drop a link and I’ll have a look.

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#45

I see.

It looks to me like the PSU I built my case with falls into the second category but I’m a total noob when it comes to electrical stuff and I don’t want to assume anything if I decide to try and get a battery. The brick here is converting the signal to DC first, correct?

Brick: https://www.konstantlab.audio/shop/power-brick-60w/
PSU: https://www.konstantlab.audio/shop/boardpwr-small-no-hp-power-supply/

@pulplogic, I don’t actually have a Pulp Logic case at the moment (though I used your hardware to build mine and it worked great!). Was just reading the description of your cases because I’m interested in battery power and it’s one of the only places I’ve come across that actually mentions it.

#46

Cool, with your power supply you should get a regulated power bank that can be set to around 18VDC. They are fairly available for charging certain laptops, just make sure it comes with the right sized barrel connector (2.1x5.5 center positive).

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#47

I think you should be good with a battery like the one below which falls into the specs @pulplogic outlined. But it’s likely also good idea to reach out to konstantlab to confirm.

(this is the same battery I use, but a ‘different’ brand)

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#48

Nice, that looks better than what I’m currently using. 23000mAH should be good for a few hours!

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#49

Oh yeah, I used this for 3 multi hour sessions with this system recently and I think it still have 50% left!

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#50

In doing research for my case that @pulplogic is actually doing up right now (thank you again) I came across a few options that should work on his cases based on the conversation we had and some other people who are doing mobile stuff with different systems.

Just to help solidify links and stuff for folks I’ll puttem below.

This is the one that @shellfritsch mentioned at the beginning of this thread which I decided to go with due to airline watt restrictions. Although @bmoren what you sent over might be a better choice.

This is a beast(almost double mah of the one above) that should work as well.

This is even more beasty if your not as concerned with having to carry it and want to just use your regular sized case(road tripping?) I think this is something along the lines as to what Ann Annie uses to do his videos.

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#51

i’m still using the pack i posted at the top with my LBZ and it works wonderfully :slight_smile:

@pulplogic nice to see you on here!

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#52

Thanks Sean! This feels like a very kind place.

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#53

Would this work with a tip-top uzeus by chance?

#54

i just ordered the RAVpower unit that @shellfritsch mentioned a few years ago, though mine is the newer 2019 version that has more capacity (old: 23000mah, new: 27000mah) and updated ports.

if i was going to keep everything “in the rack” while out in the field, either isms or my new intellijel 7U, i would have picked up a cheaper, smaller battery with a more efficient DC-DC connection. but since i plan to take a small mixer and two oto fx pedals, a power strip is needed, which requires a battery with an AC outlet. i plan to finally do my own little modular on the spot excursions to the local canyon trails and parks; will report battery life with this setup.

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#55

Intellijel wants 15v, can’t find any 15v DC-DC power banks

#56

uzeus wants 13-15V and this puts out 9V/12V/16V/19V/20V

so maybe you could get away with the 16, but it’d be best to reach out to tip-top directly and ask if its over the limit.

#57

@pulplogic (hi John!) has the best power solution for small rigs imo.

The best “full size” solution is probably Malekko Power: it takes 9-18V input and uses a similar hybrid switchmode/linear design as Pulp Logic’s. I have one in my LZX rig–it replaced an Intellijel TPS30MAX, which had too much high frequency noise (waaay over 20kHz) for the video synth.

I use a DC-DC converter (linked below) with my Intellijel TPS30MAX in the music modular. It accepts ~9V through about a volt less than the output voltage (15V for the Intelijel), so it runs fine from a 12V AC adapter or ~10.8V lithium battery packs.

(edit: removed incorrect DC-DC converter, see below for update.)

#58

Can I put that converter inside the case and wire it to USB port and then use regular 5v powerbank?

edit:
Has very stable output, the output range is DC 1.25~30.0V, please note the input voltage should be higher than output voltage at least 2V.
Looks like the answer is no

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#59

Hi John it’s good to see you!

I have been thinking about making a dedicated power box using off-the-shelf (low cost) modules with and adjustable output. My intentions got as far as collecting some parts: LiPo batteries, Solar controller and DC power supply module.

I currently use an old Goal Zero Yeti 150 with a solar panel but it’s heavy (lead acid) and limited on capacity. I imaging LiPo scooter batteries will be almost free soon with all the scooter litter on the streets.

Pwr%20proj
Pwr proj.jpg2000×1414 1.24 MB

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#60

I have one of these and use it to power the modular (via the “12V” DC output)–it’s really convenient to be able to rehearse before my set at some random table in the back without needing to find somewhere to plug in:

It actually has a MPPT charge controller on board! I don’t have a compatible solar panel for it (yet, heh), but I will probably get one eventually.

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#61

@poed – I linked the wrong DC-DC converter, I should have linked this boost converter (below). I would not use a 5V power bank in any case for efficiency reasons. Current draw @5V would also be excessive for all but the tiniest modulars (2-3A @ 5V!).

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