Comparison of Eurorack DIY PSUs

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A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper linear power supply and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.[1] Switch-mode power supplies are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient than linear power supplies but produce more noise, (above audio range) on their output.[2]

Safety

Mains voltages can kill and capacitors in disconnected power supplies can still deliver quite a jolt. Unless you're qualified to work with mains electricity, ready made external transformers are safer.

Comparison

Brand Model (& web page) Type[note 1] Volts & max. Amps Transformer type Main components Distribution Licence Comments Further info
Befaco Power bus DIY kit linear +/-12V @ 0.7A, 5V @ 0.3A internal switched PS +/-15V DC unit LM317TL, LM337TL, 78M05 Regulators are on a bus with 14 headers CC-BY-SA Sold as PCB and components kit. schematic, assy instructions, Eagle files
Clicks & Clocks PSU linear +/-12V @ 1.2A toroidal attached to PCB LM317, LM337 Separate bus with 14 headers With permission of Doepfer Modelled on Doepfer A-100 PSU2 A-100 Technical Details
Dintree D112 Power Supply switching +/-12V @ 0.625A, 5V @ 0.5A external 12V DC switched brick VBED15, 7805 12 headers on PSU PCB for non-commercial use only Uses ready made DC to DC converter schematic
EFM Synthesizers 3501 Power Supply linear +/-12V @ 1.5A external transformer LM317, LM337 can be adapted unknown
Eowave DIY PSU switching +12V @ 1.5V, -12V @ 0.7A,[3] 5V @ 0.5A external 15V 4A DC switched brick 2xLM2576T, 7805 Separate bus with 15 headers proprietary Sold as PCB and components kit Muff Wiggler forum
Erica Synths 12V bipolar 1.5A PSU  linear +/-12V @ 1.5A toroidal attached to PCB LM317, LM337 Separate bus with 14 headers proprietary PCB, hardware and components kit Muff Wiggler forum
Frequency Central FC Power DIY linear +/-12V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 0.1A 12V AC wall wart 7812, 7912, 78L05 1 header or solder leads to PCB unknown PCB only. Inexpensive solution for small Euro system. FC Power Build Doc
Frequency Central Routemaster DIY linear +/-12V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 0.1A 12V AC wall wart or 12V centre-tapped transformer LM317, LM337, 78L05 12 Euro, MOTM, or Dotcom headers integrated on PSU PCB unknown PCB only. Inexpensive solution for small Euro system. FC Routemaster Build Doc
L-1 12V bipolar linear PSU+busboards linear +/-12V @ 1.5A toroidal attached to PCB 2xLD1084, 7805 Two 12 header bus PCBs with kit. +5V regulator mounted on bus off 12V rail unknown Full kit for PSU + two busboards Muff Wiggler forum
MFOS Adjustable LM317/LM337 1.5A Supply linear +/-12V @ 1.5A separate transformer LM317, LM337 not specified free for non-commercial use PCB or PCB and components
MFOS Wall Wart Power Supply linear +12V @ 1A external AC wall wart LM78XX/LM79XX or LM78LXX/LM79LXX not specified free for non-commercial use PCB or PCB and components. Not Eurorack but included for completeness.
ModularSynth.ru Low-Cost PSU linear +/-12V @ 1A, 5V @ 0.5A AC wall wart/separate transformer 7812, 7912, 78L05 not specified CC-BY-NC-SA
ModularSynth.ru Regulated Bipolar PSU linear +/-12V @ 1.5A, 5V @ 1.5A separate transformer 2xLM317, LM337 not specified CC-BY-NC-SA
Moraydular Virta PSU linear +12V @ 1.5A, -12V @ 1A switching wall wart LM2991T, LM1086 12 header board with optional 7805, see Muff Wiggler thread unknown under development
stroh modular power supply linear +/-12V , 5V toroidal mounted on PCB LM317T,LM337T,LM1086 Detachable 2"x6" 12 header board with 5x10-pin Euro, 4x16-pin Euro, 8x6-pin Dotcom/MU and 8xMOTM/Frac headers. unknown PCB only or full kit. Muff Wiggler forum
Synthrotek Deluxe Power Module switching +12 @ 2.0A, -12 @ 1.5A, +5 @ 1.5A external 15-28V DC power switched brick R-6212P, R-7312P, OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36-C 1 or 2 flying bus cables unknown PCB only or full kit.
Synthrotek Eurorack 5A Power Supply switching +12V @ 2.2A, -12V @ 1.3A, +5V @ 1.5A external 12V DC power switched brick UEI15-120-Q12P-C, OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36-C flying bus cable unknown PCB only or full kit.

Notes

  1. ^ Trying to decide what's linear or switching, the transformers are mostly interchangeable so instead going by the type of regulators.

References

  1. ^ Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Muff Wiggler forum, 23 Feb 2014
  2. ^ Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies
  3. ^ LM2576/LM2576HV Series SIMPLE SWITCHER® 3A Step-Down Voltage Regulator, p.20

External links

Other useful power projects

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