11 Slot DIY API 500 series rack

[[silent:arts]]

EDACs:
- haven't seen the EDACs screwed down on any 500 Rack before (API (in real), Purple Audio, etc (photos only))

Not even for the lunchboxes? I would expect the EDACs on those to be screwed down, given the amount of abuse they get.

not even the API lunchbox - and the PCB is hold inside by the (cheap plastic) XLRs, each XLR only mounted with one screw

 

[jdbakker]

EDACs:
- haven't seen the EDACs screwed down on any 500 Rack before (API (in real), Purple Audio, etc (photos only))

Not even for the lunchboxes? I would expect the EDACs on those to be screwed down, given the amount of abuse they get.

not even the API lunchbox - and the PCB is hold inside by the (cheap plastic) XLRs, each XLR only mounted with one screw

Huh.

That's either a very clever mechanical design, taking the stiffness of API's own 500 modules, the EDAC, the PCB, the XLRs and the case into account, or a very cheap one.

JDB.
[not enough of a MechEng to tell which just by looking at the pictures]

 

[sahib]

I do not mean to distract the thread but due to a death in the family I have not been able to do anything about anything in the last two weeks.

I am now back and I will be obtaining some quotations for the case and report within a week or two.

 

[sunnen1]

I do not mean to distract the thread but due to a death in the family I have not been able to do anything about anything in the last two weeks.

I am now back and I will be obtaining some quotations for the case and report within a week or two.

so very sorry to hear, my condolences.

 

[b3groover]

If one was concerned about the strength of the EDACs, couldn't one just add screws to the pcbs on one's own time?

Or glue the damn things to the PCB when you mount them for soldering.

 

[[silent:arts]]

received the GDIY51PSU PCBs, and some major parts from DigiKey (Edacs)

will ship out a complete PCB set to Sahib for his mechanical work tomorrow.

most of the missing components should arrive tomorrow ;D

 

[RedNoise]

looks very pro !!! should I say "as always"??

 

[[silent:arts]]

only the Neutriks are missing 

 

[okgb]

they look great , the grps lucky to have people who can
step up to the plate like you do  , thanks !

 

[lofi]

just hope this becomes an ongoing project rather than a jump on or miss the bus. its fantastic to view the progress you guys are making, i just hope my finances are able to  take part when the time comes

Iain

 

[dandeurloo]

looks very promising!  Thanks for your hard work guys.

 

[dandeurloo]

How is this coming along?  I am extremley excited about it.  I'm trying to sell off some older gear now in order to pay for this when its done.

Just to clarify, both the 11 & 12 channel will have external PSU's?  That seems like a better idea as far as sound quality goes. 

The 12 space is for building a possible console out of?  That seem interesting. 

 

[[silent:arts]]

How is this coming along?

fine
stuffed all male XLRs and SubDs on the PCBs, tests to follow. female Neutriks XLRs are in backorder ...
PSU PCB is stuffed and working, I have to adjust the voltage selecting resistors before the trimmers to reach the correct voltages.
the bridge rectifiers come in different sizes from different vendors  ???
no problem, need some spare time doing this.
however, the first PCBs going out will have this "errors" before corrected for a second batch.

Just to clarify, both the 11 & 12 channel will have external PSU's?  That seems like a better idea as far as sound quality goes.

haven't had any problems yet in my units with build in PSUs, but the backplanes for both versions have footprints for a 5 pole Neutrik XLR, same pinning like the original API PSU. no +/- 24V with this.
but it should be possible to mount a solder lug 7 Pin XLR and cable wire it to the PCB if needed.
reason (no 7 pin XLR PCB mount connector available)

The 12 space is for building a possible console out of?  That seem interesting.

yes, and yes

Sahib is near to prototyping status with the metal work for sure

 

[sahib]

Last week I was in Istanbul and have just come back. Although I had a very very short time to spare, thanks to my oldest friend I managed a prototype out of 1.2mm steel.  Unfortunately I could not open Volker's files for the XLR apertures but that did not matter as the proto helped us to work out the folding tolerances, strength etc. Hopefully a new prototype of 11 slot type out of 1.5mm steel will be completed and  shipped out to me next week. I can not confirm a fixed price yet but it promises to be very reasonable even with the shipping cost worldwide.

Volker,

I will see if I can open the DXFs you sent in the office tomorrow. If not, if you send me JPEGs with the dimensions that would do. However, I also noticed from the PDFs you mailed me that one of the Neutric connectors is a locking type with the latch. It means that we can only solder it to the XLR pcb after it is mounted onto the back cover. I'll discuss it in detail on my e-mail.

 

[Jeremy.Starseed]

This looks like a fun project.

Please announce availability in this thread

I would like one, if I can afford it.

Jeremy

 

[Cpartipilo]

Hi guys this is an amazing project!!

I was wondering if you guys have any rough idea of what the kit cost would be?  or at least what is the price you guys are aiming for..

The bigrackaudio is $399 without a PS... if you guys started to do this i'm guessing is because you can get in the same ballpark including the power supply...

any ideas?

 

[dandeurloo]

Hey Guys any luck taking this further yet?

 

[[silent:arts]]

it will come ...

details here, details there, busy fathers

 

[sahib]

Hopefully  in a couple of days time a prototype will be completed. After that I will get firm pricing from various metal fabricators. I could have got the pricing from the drawings but showing them a finished prototype makes it a lot easier. Most of the time brings the price down as they do not have to spend time to try to work out how to manufacture it.

 

[4toes]

i'd def. be in for one!!
super excited!