GroupdDIY 511 Racks: round 5.5 available

[zayance]

Hi Ben

You missed the +-24V

It`s the REVOLUTION 

Cheers
Mattias

And quality also 

 

[[silent:arts]]

no problem Ben.

650€ for DIY case and PSU when the API 10 slots version is 730€ !!! Am I missing something ? I know it's a very professional built quality, it has 12 slots and not 10, but the difference is small, isn't it ?

the slot count difference is even smaller: 11 slots, not 12

to my knoweledge the API 10 slots version is missing the PSU
bought from there (incl. 19% VAT / excl. shipping) we have EUR 1538 vs. (EUR 808 incl. 19% VAT / excl. shipping + some more small parts & some solder & some work)

incl. the REVOLUTION ;D it is still a good price IMHO ;D ;D ;D

however, you can still go 16V only (I have 15 pin connectors and 5 pin female Neutriks in stock) and buy the API PSU ...

 

[evilcat]

I'm sorry but I think that the PSU is include, check that : http://www.vintageking.com/API-500V?sc=42&category=37680. Even with the shipping, it's still a good price.

But that's not the point  . I still not having enough money for that right now, soon I hope  :-\ and I agree for the "REVOLUTION" it represents and I would prefer building it myself, for my own satisfaction  ;D.

So, one question remains : Will you do another run in few months, or a year ?

Best,

Ben.

 

[sahib]

This was explained few times but I'll explain again.

The difference between API and 511 is much greater than you think. Miles apart. GDIY 511 Caters for + - 16V and + - 24V. API does not. We used metal XLRs as opposed to plastic ones of API. 511 is made of 1.5mm steel and has 3mm PCB. API is 1.2mm at best and has thinner PCB.

However, the power supply can be made much, much, much and much cheaper. All it requires is a little imagination. The main cost of the psu is the mains transformer and the case. I have designed the case with certain type of electrical components such as the mains switch, IEC, fues holders and 7 pin Neutrik. In terms of the electronic components I have looked up the best ones available from RS Components.

Now, let's look at the savings.

You can purchase an off the shelf case and cut the holes by yourself.

Use a switch that costs 99 pence (that is exactly what is used on API) as opposed to the nice one with illumination that I picked which costs around £5.

Use fuse holders that cost again 99 pence.

Use an IEC without the mains voltage selector. It costs around £1.50

The 7 pin Neutrik panel socket and cable plug set costs £20. You can buy a 7 pin connector set for around £5 which will again do the job.

In terms of the elctronic components you can use capacitors that are rated at 80 degrees C as opposed to the 110 degrees C that I selected. In fact the 10,000uF 50V reservoir capacitors I selected cost over £5 each. You can get ones that cost half the price. That alone saves you £10.

You can use bridge rectifiers with lower current rating and let them heat up on full power output.

Instead of multiturn trimmer that costs almost £2 each just use a one turn trimpot that costs about 20p. You'll have hard time in setting the output voltage but still acceptable.

Etc, etc, etc.

So you can literally half the cost of the psu by using cheaper components. Which, incidently what the commercial units use in general.

But most important above all is  the fact that API manufactures these units in thousands. Probably in ten thousand range. We manufacture at one hundred at a time. We use the best and most expensive components (at retail prices) and we are still cheaper.

Now, I have just complained in Brewery that we do not brag 511. We do not. All I am trying to explain is that you can do things greatly cheaper by using cheaper components.

 

[[silent:arts]]

I'm sorry but I think that the PSU is include, check that : http://www.vintageking.com/API-500V?sc=42&category=37680. Even with the shipping, it's still a good price.

irritating. from the product description text: "The 500V can be ordered with an optional 48 volt phantom power supply"
however, I won't phone them to find out the truth since our prices are fixed for the 2nd run anyway.

So, one question remains : Will you do another run in few months, or a year ?

well, I don't know - there are 3 individuals involved.
since I don't need 50 PSU transformers and 33 Racks I will do my best for doing a 3rd run ;D ;D ;D

 

[jsteiger]

[quote author=[silent:arts]...since I don't need 50 PSU transformers and 33 Racks...[/quote]I know you are only speaking for yourself Volker.  ;D 8)

 

[[silent:arts]]

I know you are only speaking for yourself Volker.

for sure Sir

 

[sahib]

Hey guys, this seems like a very rare occassion that three of us are all together at the same time at the same place. 8) My wife is away for a week (hurraaaa) my son is asleep (hurraaa x 2,000,000) and I am doing my  accounts while checking the forum.

 

[evilcat]

Volker,

You don't have to convince me that you do a better rack and PSU than a commercial one, I already know that  . You're right, the 48V option is weird...
Again, I'll gonna save some € and take my chance for a 3rd run  I prefer to be patient in order to have best quality components and "built like a tank" cases like you're making, guys !
Question : why the PSU outside the case ? for having more slots ? or "just" for noise issue ?

Best,

Ben.

 

[[silent:arts]]

Ben,

building the PSU in the case would cost slot space and specs.
my dream before was to have a version with included PSU (one reason the 50 pin headers are still on the backplane).
however, it didn't happen. noise, total weight & some other things would be the issue.

Hey guys, this seems like a very rare occassion that three of us are all together at the same time at the same place. 8) My wife is away for a week (hurraaaa) my son is asleep (hurraaa x 2,000,000) and I am doing my  accounts while checking the forum.

strange and rare, but I go to bed now ;D
my daughter will be awake at 6:30 ...

 

[evilcat]

Thanks Volker for all those explanations.
Now I will try to make an affordable "electrical wiring kit" and heatsink. For the PSU kit, I think I would take the Ptownkid one. If I have other questions, I'll use the build threads and not pollut this one with technical questions  !

Best, and good luck with your early wake up ! For my boys it's 7:30, lucky me  .

Ben

 

[mitsos]

just wondered if the US packs went out yet?  ;D

 

[sahib]

I am hoping to finish all the packing tomorrow and ship the lot on Friday. It is takeing some time because I am literally tripling the corrugated cardboard after seeing how the first batch arrived at Jeff.

 

[jsteiger]

...I am literally tripling the corrugated cardboard after seeing how the first batch arrived at Jeff.

Cemal, you are the man! I'm quite certain you will not hear any complaints about that from this side of the pond! When you are ready...you are ready...and not before. 

Cheers, Jeff 

 

[guitarguy12387]

^^ Does this coming shipment include the power transformers too? I noticed classicapi says they have 'em in stock.

 

[sahib]

No, Jeff has got his own made in the US. I am supplying the same one as Volker as he got them manufactured by Mr Mueller in Germany. However, both Jeff's and Volker's transformers have identical specifications.

 

[Tubemooley]

Yo..... I just read the last page or so of this thread. You don't have to convince me of anything. The quality of various products from manufacturers like API is questionable at best. They put the money in where they think they need to. And then the designers end up cheapening various things to meet the marketing requirements. That's how capitalism works.

I do not have a GDIY511x rack yet. But I have read all the threads and I know all about this item without even having seen it. I do have a PSU board from Jeff (which originated from Volker). It's a high-quality board. And now Jeff has the toroidal transformers too. I bought two toroidal transformers to do the job of Jeff's one transformer (and I still don't have the +48v) winding. My two Tx's cost about $60. Jeff's one transformer costs $57.

I'm a little surprised by one thing.... Dudes on this forum should know how important the power supplies are. Heavy-duty, over-rated, regulated, properly heat-sinked, all of that stuff. The big manufacturers love to cheap out on the power supplies. They think that's the least harmful place to do that. But they're wrong.

I have an 11-space 500-series rack made by OSA. It is a piece of crap. Yes, it works and it's fairly reliable. But my various 500 modules.... Some of them don't work in certain slots. I'm guessing because the OSA box and PCB are not stiff enough and so various modules don't make proper contact in certain slots. This is the nightmare of glomming together equipment from various manufacturers. They all have to CONFORM to one mechanical spec or the shit don't work.

I already can't remember what got me started here. The guys wondering about just purchasing an API box from Vintage King and such..... I know Vintage King. They're basically respectable. But they would sell rotten meat to a hungry dog if the opportunity arose. If you think the API box is better than the GDIY511 box, then go buy it. Do the cost/benefit analysis and make your choice. Volker isn't going to pimp his rack and I don't blame him. He doesn't have to because the rack does that itself. Like I said earlier..... I haven't even seen this rack and I know it's superior.

((((On VK website today..... API 500VPR 10 Slot Rack w/PSU - 3U Vertical rack with external power supply that holds up to 10 "500 Series" modules, Our Price: $806.00, Retail: $949.00, Is that a better deal? I don't know. And yes, adding +48v raises the price further.)))) DW.

 

[kepeb]

wooo! so, i got my kit today. sweet. i've never seen a PCB as thick as this. that's some real quality stuff guys.
chuffed!

there is one thing someone could help me with. i realise now the little pins for the jumpers arent included.
its not at all a problem... i'm just about to make a mouser order and wondered if someone has the order numbers for the pins/jumpers cos i cant find them.

again, well done guys, super work. it came together real nice and i cant wait to get it up and running

 

[Ptownkid]

I used...

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=609-3308-ND

and

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=609-2997-ND

Cheers

 

[sahib]

Kev, they are standard 0.1" (2.54mm) pitch headers and jumpers. Yiu can get them from RS, Farnell, Rapid or even Maplin. If you can't drop me a mail and I'll sort you out.