Download Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply

Po werbo x M k2
Reg ulat ed st o mpbo x po w er supply
User’s manual
www.n-audio.net
N-audio, 2012
N-audio
Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Content
I. What is Powerbox Mk2? .................................. 3
II. Output voltages and current of Powerbox Mk2 ......... 4
III.Configuration of Powerbox Mk2 ......................... 5
IV.Cable poles and effects connections .................... 6
V. Fuse changing in the power .............................. 6
VI.Inclusion of Powerbox Mk2 in electrical networkError! Bookma
VII.Reverse polarity effects ................................. 7
VIII.Which effects can't be powered by Powerbox Mk2? ... 7
IX.Specification.............................................. 7
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Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Thank You for choosing our precision versatile stompbox power supply - N-audio
Powerbox MK2! Development is based on multiple tests, prototypes, which were used in real
life situations by musicians, and last, but not least - N-audio long years of experience. The
result is one professional product, which can power a great various combinations of effects,
assured to work flawlessly for many years, even in the most unfavorable conditions.
I.
What is Powerbox Mk2?
Output voltage
selector
Control Leds
Fuse
Mains socket
(IEC-C14)
Outputs
Location of the separate components
The versatile and precision guitar power supply Powerbox Mk2 is made in compact metal
box with dimensions of 13x5x10cm. The construction is optimized several times in order to
utilize the maximum internally space and size reduction without affecting the quality. The
“Heart” of Powerbox Mk2 is a high quality transformer with a reduced flux density, which
ensure reliable work. Also this device is designed with 5 galvanic separated groups, everyone of
which has independent electronics for rectifying, filtering and stabilizing of the output's
voltage. In this way the ground loop problems (which are common in supplying effects with one
adapter) are dramatically reduced to achieve low level of noise. Every group has own LED
control, placed between the two output connectors. It shows if there is output power. If the
light is on these means that the two relevant outputs from the group work properly and give
power. If the light extinguishes these means that there is probably short circuit in the output.
Please note that because of build-in short circuit protection of Powerbox Mk2 in the output will
not damage the device! In case of extinguished stop the power supply and try to find and fix
the reason of short circuit.
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Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Mains connector,
fuse and power filter
Power transformer with five
independent secondary coils
9/12 Volt
outputs
Out 1
Out 2
Led1
9/12 Volt
outputs
Out 3
Out 4
Led2
9/12/15/18
Volt
outputs
Out 5
Out 6
Led3
9 Volt
Ultra low
noise
outputs
Out 7
Out 8
9 Volt
Ultra low
noise
outputs
Out 9
Led4
Out 10
Led5
Block diagram of Powerbox Mk2
II.
Output voltages and current of Powerbox Mk2.
Powerbox Мк2 can power effects with low consumption as well as effects which
requiring more current or voltage. For this purpose the outputs are divided into groups with
different options:
 Outputs for effects with high current consumption.
First two groups: output from 1 to 4 can power up to 500mA per group. This means that
the total maximum current consumption for outputs 1 and 2 must not be over 500mA and the
total maximum current consumption for outputs 3 and 4 also must not be over 500mA.The
output voltage can be selected between the two fixed voltages: 9 and 12 volts. These outputs
are provided for powering effects with higher current consumption like delays, processors,
tube effects, loop systems for commutation and others. Of course they are universal and they
can power effects with low current consumption like chorus, tremolo, compressor, distortion,
overdrive and others.
 Outputs for effects with average current consumption.
These are outputs 5 and 6. The maximum consumption for those outputs is 250mA. This
means that the total maximum current consumption for outputs 5 and 6 must not be over
250mA. Output voltage can be selected between the four fixed voltages: 9,12,15 and 18 volts.
Those outputs are made particularly for effects, requiring higher powering voltages up to 18
volt. In those outputs can be plugged every kind of effects.
 Outputs for effects with low current consumption.
Outputs from 7 to 10 in two galvanically isolated groups are specifically provided for
powering effects with low current consumption, sensitive to power. Here output voltage is
fixed on 9.6÷9.8 volts- the exact voltage of one brand new 9-volt battery. They are
characterized with precision extremely low level of noise and have double filtration and double
stabililization of the voltage. The maximum power consumption for these outputs is 50mA per
group. They are for effects like wah pedals, overdrives, distortions, compressors, boosters and
others.
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III.
Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Configuration of Powerbox Mk2.
The change of output voltage of Powerbox Mk2 can be made with dip switch, placed in
the top of the box. The selectors can be switched when the device is running as well as when
the device is not power on. Be careful when you are switching! The maximum output
voltage of 18 volts can damage effects, which need less power voltage. Before changing any
switch of the output voltage, make sure your effects support the relevant voltage. Remember
that the output voltage is change for 2 outputs of certain group. Check what effects you power
up in the both outputs when you change the voltage. To have 9 volts output voltage for all 10
outputs, all 4 selectors should be in up position:
9VDC
For all possible combination check the diagram below:
Outputs 1&2
9VDC
Outputs 1&2
12VDC
Outputs 3&4
9VDC
Outputs 3&4
12VDC
Outputs 5&6
9VDC
Outputs 5&6
12VDC
Outputs 5&6
15VDC
Outputs 5&6
18VDC
Diagram with all combination of output voltages
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IV.
Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Cable poles and effects connections.
Powerbox Mk2 is available in a kit of cables for powering effects, which content:
 8 standard black cables with a diameter of ø5.5/ø2.1mm and length of 50cm
 2 (red and blue) cables with diameter of ø5.5/ø2.5mm and length of 35cm
 1 black cable with 3.5mm mono jack output and length of 35cm
 3 reverse polarity cables with a length of 15cm.
50cm
ø 2.1
35cm
ø2.5
35cm
ø2.5
35cm
15cm
Reverse polarity cord
Important! Most of effects, which are using 3.5 mm mono jack are center positive. The
cable with small jack in the kit is center negative. For this reason you should note what is
polarity of the corresponding effect. In general to work the effect is need to use and one
reverse polarity cable to reverse polarity. In old Electro Harmonix, Pro Co Rat, Vintage DOD
effects and others, you should use reverse polarity cable together with the 3.5mm mono jack
cable!
If you need to use reverse polarity cable, also check point VII from manual!
V.
Fuse changing in the power.
If for some reason occur short circuit and no one of the LED lit, probably voltage fuse of
the network is damaged. The fuse is located in the bottom part of the power plug and can be
changed quickly and easily. First unplug power cable. With a screwdriver pull the fuse socket.
Pull out the damaged fuse and put a new one. It is not necessary to search for new fuse. In the
socket there is spare one. This make sure that in a time of need you have a spare fuse in a
convenient place.
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VI.
Powerbox Mk2 - Regulated stompbox power supply
Inclusion of Powerbox Mk2 in electrical network.
Powerbox Mk2 is made with a standard 50/60Hz transformer. It is pre-configured to
work on 220 or 110 volts. You should know that the voltage must not be changed. If Powebox
Mk2 is configured to work on 220 volts, in countries with other voltages You must use voltage
converter for the relevant country.
VII.
Reverse polarity effects.
 Effects with positive ground
In history of guitar effects there is a small group of effects, which work with negative
voltage (positive ground) because of their specification. Most often minus 9 volts (-9VDC). The
most of them work only with batteries because of safety reasons, but there is some with power
connector for out powering. Effects like this are germanium boosters, germanium fuzz effects
(fuzz face), octavers and others. In the most cases they are with reverse polarity and to be
plugged in Powerbox Mk2, you should use the standard cable together with reverse polarity
adapter. It is important to know that in case of plugging effect with that adapter in output of a
group, the other output from the group must not be used with an effect with normal polarity.
In this output can be plugged only positive ground effect.
 Effects with reverse polarity.
There is guitar effects, in which the location of the plus and the minus is reversedcenter positive. They can be powered with a standard cable plus reverse polarity cable.
Example of this is effects like Moog's Moogerfooger, and most effects working with 1/4" mono
jack. When you used effect like this, the free output of the relevant group in which is plugged
this effect, can be used for powering effects with standard polarity.
VIII.
Which effects can't be powered by Powerbox Mk2?
Powerbox Mk2 can't power effects, working on AC. For example Digitech Whammy and
effects, requiring higher voltage of current from maximum allowable for this device.
It is necessary to refer to the instruction manuals of Your effects if they are voltage
and current compatible with Powerbox Mk2!
IX.
Specification.
Dimensions: 13х5х10cm
Weight: 1.05Kg
Mains supply: IEC connector 230VAC 50/60Hz (Europe) or 110VAC 50/60Hz (USA)
Transformer: 50/60Hz transformer with reduced flux density
PCB: 2mm double sided gold plated PCB
Protections: mains fuse, short circuit outputs protection
Outputs: 10 outputs ø5.5/ø2.1mm
Operation indications: 5 control LEDs.
Outputs voltage and maximum current consumption:
Outputs
Outputs voltage
Max current consumption
1&2
9/12VDC
500mA
3&4
9/12VDC
500mA
5&6
9/12/15/18VDC
250mA
7&8
9.7VDC
50mA
9&10
9.7VDC
50mA
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