Radial Engineering Workhorse/Powerhouse/etc external PSU

[emrr]

Looks potentially like a cheap option at $90.

+/-16V@1600mA and 48V@100mA switcher with a 5 pin XLR output. 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=927565&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The Radial rack pics look like they might have some local filtering.  Is there anything else going on within the racks regarding power, besides the indicator LED's?

Anyone know if this is a custom part, and if not, is there a competitive option? 

 

[pucho812]

that's as inexpensive as I seen for a PSU that handles all that. the workhorses have their own 500 series pinouts that are VPR compatible but they are using more pins besides that for their own thing.  I would imagine that it's a chinese made smpsu that may or may not contain any filtering. at 90 bucks it's worth checking out but ymmv

 

[JohnRoberts]

That price doesn't look very cheap to me, but it is a nice power output range, and if UL could be a good basis for many products. Back at my former day job, I brought a 16VAC@1A wall wart into the system and used it in a few tens of different SKUs. Customers hate wall warts, but manufacturers love them.

I expect a universal input voltage, small smps module that fits inside a rack unit and is UL approved, and accepts an IEC line cord, makes sense and is customer friendly.

JR

 

[emrr]

I just don't find any off the shelf switchers with that set of voltages, at any cost.  Consider the average 500 rack PSU standalone is generally above $400.  The kit version offered by members here is nearly $400, unbuilt.  It's apples to oranges, considering more expensive linear supply builds, I know. 

 

[JohnRoberts]

Indeed the 48V supply is the oddball.

I would be inclined to consider something like this... +/=15V and +5V, than add secondary regulation for low current 48V supply and whatever.

This one is universal input voltage, UL/VDE/etc rated. and <$50 in one ea.

For one off I could make a PS for a lot less, but not UL approved.

JR

 

[emrr]

Radial tells me:

we would not recommend using our power supply

(elsewhere)

as the accompanying filters are inside

(our)

rack in order to eliminate noise. You would be further ahead to find a standard analog supply that would not be subject to the problems

(potentially encountered in another rack).

That's the response for the average customer. Good to know.  Who can report on what filtering is in the racks?

 

[outoftune]

wish i would have seen this a week ago...just sold my radial cube...could have given you more info about the rack

but from what i remember there are a couple of electrolytics inside...seemed to be one for each voltage rail...i think a 2200uf for each...

 

[emrr]

Thanks.  Maybe the buyer can report later?

It could be as simple as that.  Maybe not more, maybe some inductance, I assume nothing active since external input voltage is already specified correctly.

 

[emrr]

Tangent, I spotted this pic for their smaller 3 unit Powerstrip rack, which uses a different PSU labeled as follows:

5VDC @ 2.5A
15VDC @ 0.5A
-15VDC @ 0.3A

They are getting 48V for phantom via some other method with this one.  The larger racks are +/-16V and 48V from the PSU. 

 

[dandeurloo]

I have one.  I have done no testing with it, no time yet. 

I would also love to find some simple solution like this.  It would be great for bench supplies or to go along with my 1U 500 rack cases. 

 

[Chuckles]

Inside the Workhorse as a common mode coil on the + and -16V rails then a 2200µFd 25V capacitor on each rail.

 

[emrr]

Thanks Chuckles!  I see you've posted on a ton of Radial related threads for starters, I'm guessing you might be in-house?  Welcome.