#31
2 Likes
#32

…and - if you DIY an offworld-1 and have a 3d-printer, here is a post about a little open source case that i made for it:

The one in the monome store comes with a nice laser cut cover, which is also available open source in @tehn’s repository:

I’ve been using mine with my grid and teletype running @scanner_darkly’s beta grid firmware. It is absolutely fantastic!

3 Likes
#33

Hi Everyone,

Brand new to the Monome world and have just acquired a Meadowphysics with my Grid and I’m getting buzz although my case seems to have enough power.

That said, ideally I’d like to pick up an Offworld-1, Switch, ext5v.

I see two routes here potentially and am hoping I can get some help:

1.) Someone here has some/one available to sell or is open to building one etc - where I can send PCB boards to. (happy to pay).

2.) I somehow learn to build this. I have no experience at all but in general it looks simple - any suggestions on where I can figure this out?

I’m based in Brooklyn, if that helps in any way. Perhaps someone is local that I can use to help build this.

Apologies for the total newbie question etc but hoping I can find a way to get a proper external power here.

Thanks!

#34

Here’s an option: I recently got a Grid and hacked the included cable in half and spliced in another USB A end to make a Y cable. One USB A end only has power lines running to the Mini USB end, the other USB A end has only the data lines running to the Mini USB. Shields all connected. Then I connected the power end to a USB charger brick. Took about 30 minutes but only because I was precious with the heat shrink and soldering. Parts were scrap I had on hand. The Offworld board looks great but there’s no need for such a thing when scrap USB cables are literally bursting from my drawers. Give it a shot!

#35

One simple solution to try before any serious investment would be to try a cheap cheater plug https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheater_plug

This solved my noise issues when used with my ext5v.

#36

I had a grid kit with LEDs that took too much power draw, having an ext5v with a sufficient amount of 5v power helped. If it’s a kit and you’re handy you can swap the R3 and R4 with a 2.2k or 5k resistor (mine had 1.5 i want to say for some reason).

#37

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

I actually went to a local shop and picked up a “USB Sharing Y-Cable 2 A Male to A Female”, thinking I could do the hack others have mentioned. When I plugged this in, it simply just worked, without any further adjustments.

Tried the cheater plug initially but still had the same results/buzz.

Thanks again!

1 Like
#38

do you have a link to the product that “just worked”?

External grid power - ext5v alternative
#39

Just found it on Google via the product number sticker being PC Cables - 70650. I did need to buy a simple USB extension on top of this as well, since the Y cable is very short.

https://www.pccables.com/USB-Power-Combine-A-Male-A-Male-to-A-Female.html

#40

got it. so while this “works” it’s not ideal-- both the module and the “power” connector are powering the grid. which means they are both pushing power onto the line, which could create problems (ie, blow up stuff) if the two sources are putting out slightly different voltages.

i would not trust this for long. i would suggest doing the cable surgery (cut the power line on the data+power line) immediately.

#41

Noted! Guess I’ll need to find another Y cable and try cutting the power line.

#42

Hi, I know this is probably a newbie thing but I have been having challenges with my Offworld1 build. I have the boards for Offworld2 but thought I’d try this first.

I’ve checked continuity between pins and all the soldered pieces seem to be fine though a little sloppy. This is my first DIY project and it seemed easy enough.

There is no power or data making its way through.

I ordered the exact USB mini connector from digikey but had a few of these from another project that I used.

Any insights?

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#43

Newbie to the Monome world. Have read through this thread and others re: power issues with grid connected to teletype. I’ve seen “ext 5V power” listed as a solution; forgive my ignorance but how is that physically accomplished? I understand I can power the grid with wallwart power into a usb cable that plugs into the grid. But now that the one port on the grid is occupied, how do I get the data out :crazy_face:? Im assuming it would just be a Y splitter type thing, but earlier in this treads I think tehn mentioned that a simple y split usb cable is not a great solution. I’m sure there’s a simple answer that I’m missing, or overthinking this, but wanted to check to see if anyone has ext powered?

N

#44

get this instead (which includes an explanation): https://www.expressivee.com/ground-loop-adaptor

2 Likes
#45

done and done. thnx for the quick response.

N

#46

@tehn: Sorry for digging up this old thread, but it looks like I really need this module to make this small setup work (see below) without the dreaded high-pitched whining noise.

It is my understanding that the middle USB mini-B is power input,
the two outer USB mini-B connect to e.g. Ansible’s and White Whale’s USB-A connectors,
and the two USB-A connect to e.g. Arc’s and Grid’s USB mini-B connectors,
correct?

#47

Offworld hub :v:

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4 Likes
#48

Is this still the best option (for connecting grid to teletype) if I don’t want to DIY an offworld?

1 Like
#49

get a ground loop adapter from espressiv-e — see Offworld-1: USB power utility

1 Like
#50