groupDIY 500 series mechanical specifications

[alphasnk]

[I got diagnosed with bipolarity disorder last year] -- I'm sorry to hear about that!!! And, please do take care, OK??? A good engineer friend of mine also had a "bipolar disorder" and he had a really tough time controlling himself, even to the point that he had decided to commit suicide while driving his car.....WITH ME IN IT!!! ..... He ended up being successful in his endeavor a few years later.

GOOD LUCK!!!

/

Don't worry i don't drive Thank you for sharing your experience. It tells everything.

 

[sahib]

...... As of yet, I have never seen any mechanical detail drawings showing this specific side-view aspect of the edge-connector to PCB-edge dimensions. THIS is a first!!! THANK YOU!!! for sharing this view and their dimensions!!!

They are not their dimensions. They are the dimensions that I worked out which only require a little attention.

If there is to be a "GroupDIY '500-Series' Format Standard", then every last friggin' and minute detail needs to be specifically defined.

There is already GDIY 51x format which differs from the VPR format that it is 11 slots wide with added + - 24V operation. I now have given all the critical dimensions. The rest is utterly unimportant and left to the designer/manufacturer as long as the final end product rack fits in a standard 19" format cabinet.

I also believe that -- possibly -- due to the large worldwide customer base that this GroupDIY forum represents, having the lot of all of us coming up with "a settled upon and a collectively ratified set of electrical-details and mechanical-design dimensional criteria and parameters".....just -- might -- persuade all of the "BIG BOY COMPANIES" to modify their so-called standards and instead adopt what it is that we all have come up with!!! At least.....we can "dream", can't we???

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No limits in dreaming, but if you think API or Radial are going to read this thread and change their products, then you are being naïve.

With my previous post I now have given all the critical dimensions. As for the electrical specifications, again the card edge pin configuration is already there.

However, you are of course free to design your own version.

 

[MidnightArrakis]

They are not their dimensions. They are the dimensions that I worked out which only require a little attention.

There is already GDIY 51x format which differs from the VPR format that it is 11 slots wide with added + - 24V operation. I now have given all the critical dimensions and the rest is utterly unimportant and left to the manufacturer as long as the final end product rack fits in a standard 19" format cabinet.

No limits in dreaming, but if you think API or Radial are going to read this thread and change their product, then you are being naïve.

[if you think API or Radial are going to read this thread and change their product, then you are being naïve] -- Something you don't know.....I once worked at the same concert sound-reinforcement company as the president of API, Inc. also once did, during the same time-period. And.....I also have his personal e-mail address.

You never know.....ya know?!?!?!?!?

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[sahib]

Good for you. Go for it.

 

[JMan]

Perhaps I am confused, or perhaps there are some crossed wires happening in this discussion.

Are we talking about establishing dimensional standards for a 500 module, or a chassis?

 

[MidnightArrakis]

Perhaps I am confused, or perhaps there are some crossed wires happening in this discussion.

Are we talking about establishing dimensional standards for a 500 module, or a chassis?

[Are we talking about establishing dimensional standards for a 500 module, or a chassis?] -- I don't know. Since (I think) most of the issues on this forum seem to be about the front-panels, that is what I thought this thread was mostly about. I could be wrong though. Other members seem to enjoy pointing that out.

However, since there has been some discussion about the electrical specifications and a whole bunch discussed about the front-panels, then we just might as well throw in the rack-chassis as well. You know, like at McDonald's.....a "Combo"!!! "Do you want Fries with that"???

Actually.....-- maybe, just maybe -- if the entire entity of all of us on here can actually come up with an entire set of electrical and mechanical details, as well as their specifications and a complete set of schematics and mechanical detail drawings (hint, hint) which covers -- ALL -- of the bases concerning a "GroupDIY '500-Series' Format Electrical & Mechanical Specifications Standards" document, that document would then be presented to all of the "Usual Suspects" within the professional audio industry for their consideration. With these documents clearly explaining all of the current shortcomings and confusion within the so-called current "Standard".....then maybe the industry will be able to see and understand for themselves how the current "Standard" needs to be updated and revised and something new adopted industry-wide.

On top of all of that, this new "GroupDIY '500-Series' Format Electrical & Mechanical Specifications Standards" would -- NOT -- be controlled, owned or dictated by any one company as the current "VPR Alliance" is by API, Inc.!!! -- THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!! --

My inflationary devalued 2-cents worth.....

/

 

[Estomagado]

I will add to that (and it's a Noob question, please be parient and kind to me):

If we already have a 51x specification, why would we need to stablish our own 500 standard? Aren't they compatible? I was under the impression they were.

Also, why is nobody (CAPI, Sahib, Volker) selling the 51x anymore?

 

[sahib]

I will add to that (and it's a Noob question, please be parient and kind to me):

If we already have a 51x specification, why would we need to stablish our own 500 standard? Aren't they compatible? I was under the impression they were.

Also, why is nobody (CAPI, Sahib, Volker) selling the 51x anymore?

I still do. Currently a new batch of metalwork order is in place.

I think Volker and Jeff have also run out of metalwork.

 

[ruffrecords]

[Are we talking about establishing dimensional standards for a 500 module, or a chassis?] -- I don't know. Since (I think) most of the issues on this forum seem to be about the front-panels, that is what I thought this thread was mostly about. I could be wrong though. Other members seem to enjoy pointing that out.

I think we are most talking about modules. People here I suspect tend to buy a rack but like to populate it with some off the shelf modules and some they build themselves.

In my mind, the main target of the spec is people designing modules.

However, since there has been some discussion about the electrical specifications and a whole bunch discussed about the front-panels, then we just might as well throw in the rack-chassis as well. You know, like at McDonald's.....a "Combo"!!! "Do you want Fries with that"???

I don't think we need to go into details of the chassis as long as we are confident the module spec is comparable with what is currently available.

Actually.....-- maybe, just maybe -- if the entire entity of all of us on here can actually come up with an entire set of electrical and mechanical details, as well as their specifications and a complete set of schematics and mechanical detail drawings (hint, hint) which covers -- ALL -- of the bases concerning a "GroupDIY '500-Series' Format Electrical & Mechanical Specifications Standards" document, that document would then be presented to all of the "Usual Suspects" within the professional audio industry for their consideration. With these documents clearly explaining all of the current shortcomings and confusion within the so-called current "Standard".....then maybe the industry will be able to see and understand for themselves how the current "Standard" needs to be updated and revised and something new adopted industry-wide.

On top of all of that, this new "GroupDIY '500-Series' Format Electrical & Mechanical Specifications Standards" would -- NOT -- be controlled, owned or dictated by any one company as the current "VPR Alliance" is by API, Inc.!!! -- THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!! --

My inflationary devalued 2-cents worth.....

/

I think what we need as a definitive mechanical spec for a 500 series module.

Cheers

Ian

 

[sahib]

I think what we need as a definitive mechanical spec for a 500 series module.

Cheers

Ian

Ian,

API already provides that spec.

This is just re-inventing the wheel.

 

[thelivingroom]

I still do. Currently a new batch of metalwork order is in place.

I think Volker and Jeff have run out of metalwork.

Just wanted to chime in to say I love the two racks I bought from you!

 

[sahib]

Thank you.

 

[sahib]

I take this opportunity to ask for info regarding the PSU wiring, in particular GndA and GndB... I'm using 2 Meanwell modules to split supply. Compared to the attached sketch, what is the most suitable way?
At the Moment the 2 Gnd returns are Wired directly to 0v with no chassis...

Thank you for your attention and support

I have only noticed your post now.

There is a convention error in your drawings. The ground has both the chassis/earth and analogue/circuit ground points. You can't have that.



I am also assuming that the application here is inside an equipment with balanced signal inputs and outputs through XLRs.

I am also not exactly sure what you mean by GND A and GND B but I am guessing that these are the chassis/earth connections to the XLR pin 1, which is fine as the copper wire will have a greatly lower resistance than a say steel or aluminium.

Generally in pro-audio the circuit/analogue ground from the regulator board goes to the chassis earth/safety ground stud point and from there it is distributed to the circuit. So based on this, your second drawing looks more like it but executed wrong. The ground connections 0V, GND A and GND B should branch out from chassis stud point.

However, generally in switch mode power supplies there is the Y type capacitor between the neutral and earth. In some cases that can inject some noise into the safety earth. So, with that in mind your first drawing would be the preferred one, provided that the circuit ground (0V) has no connection to the chassis inside the equipment. In which case GND B should also go straight to the chassis stud point rather than tapping onto A halfway through.

 

[richiyobs]

I have only noticed your post now.

thanks for your support
GndA & GndB are the respective Gnds of the 500 pcb. I use GndA for the signal and GndB for meter driver or sidechain circuit..
I made the Edac board only for compressors and eq so no 48v I don't need it.

the psu is still a dilemma for me, furthermore, looking at the block diagram of the Meanwell LRS series you can see the capacitor between V- out and its Gnd and this thing confuses me

best

 

[sahib]

Thank you too.

I have just looked up LRS-50-15.



I am not sure why they have that capacitor between -V and earth. However, there is another issue that will arise. The positive rail of negative supply will form the common 0V. Have a look at below ;

Connecting the common 0V to chassis earth will provide AC coupling to +V of the negative supply, hence to its detection circuit and may have a consequence.

I have never used a switch mode to form bipolar rails to power audio. I think Abbey has used Meanwell a number of times and I hope he shines a light on this.

 

[richiyobs]

sorry for the confusion, GndB is Power Ground....
pin 13 of Edac Connector.
GndA is pin 5.

till now I haven't had any problems connecting both GndA and PwrGnd at 0v
also for xlr pin 1 using GndA, and safety Earth to chassis only, just for testing its behavior
signal is very clean and also the last module plugged close to psu presents no issues

I apologize to everyone if my questions and requests are in a post where only mechanical infos should be shared
but I think it is useful for those who want to go for a psu like this in a DIY lunchbox and so don't make any mistakes

best

 

[ruffrecords]

Ian,

API already provides that spec.

This is just re-inventing the wheel.

I agree a spec exists but it is incomplete which has led to problems for DIY designs. Not so much reinventing as adding tyres to the wheel.

Cheers

Ian

 

[inf0]

In my limited experience , a kind of mechanical connection "standard" between the front panel and L bracket or something similar would help a lot with alignment issues and the odd potentiometers sticking out. It seems like an L bracket is kind of a luxury in the DIY 500 series world

Since the front panels have limited real estate , having nuts visible is not the prettiest of sights. Some knobs definitely cover those but others barely do

Seems like it would be a relatively easy undergoing for someone here !

 

[MidnightArrakis]

In my limited experience , a kind of mechanical connection "standard" between the front panel and L bracket or something similar would help a lot with alignment issues and the odd potentiometers sticking out. It seems like an L bracket is kind of a luxury in the DIY 500 series world

Since the front panels have limited real estate , having nuts visible is not the prettiest of sights. Some knobs definitely cover those but others barely do

Seems like it would be a relatively easy undergoing for someone here !

[Seems like it would be a relatively easy undergoing for someone here!] -- Here's how I would do it!!! (NOTE: I have also noticed that this mixer-panel doesn't have any "mounting-holes" in it so it can be fastened to anything. Maybe the OP was planning on using some epoxy or hot-glue instead of mechanical hardware. As is being shown here, this top-panel would be fastened to both of the side-cheeks). In addition, the two side-flanges would also prevent the panel from slightly bending/flexing when being pressed upon while being used.



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[MidnightArrakis]

API already provides that spec.

This is just re-inventing the wheel.

[API already provides that spec] -- YES!!! they do!!! However, their specifications are not only -- ill-defined -- but is also >> very poorly documented <<.

[This is just re-inventing the wheel] -- This current effort isn't so much as "re-inventing the wheel", but more along the lines of "how to better define what the wheel is supposed to be or -- should -- be"!!!

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