d8b Forum

Hey all.

Just thought I'd update you all on my recent modding adventure.
In Munkustraps documents on the Probox, there were some documents, where he describes putting some psu's in the desk, to get rid of the CPU-unit alltogether.
This sounded interesting to me, since I've always hated the big machine, and particularly the umbilical cable.
I wanted to be able to run the desk both as normal and with the probox.

So I went on to buy four psu's - a 5V, 12V, a +/- 15v (dialed up to 16v) and a 48v.
It took me a while to solder it up, but I finally managed to boot up the desk without the umbilical.
unfortunately, I ended up switching the + and - 16v around, which ruined something about the DSP card.
After a trip to ebay, I managed to get a new one, hooking everything up again (this time triple checking the wires), and everything seems good.

Besides this, I also wanted to move the pc parts of the CPU unit to a smaller case. Unfortunately it's an old baby-AT form factor, and none of the cases I have at home would fit.
I did try out an older machine (a Dell optiplex gx240) instead - just for fun. To my surprise it actually booted all the way up! But went on to give me the error you get when the serial cable isn't connected.
After having messed around with various cabling, I've come to the conclusing, that technically this machine (chipset) would work, but unfortunately it's using a different serial controller chip than the normal d8b motherboard.
However, I think that if somebody find a motherboard with an intel 845 chipset, a Winbond W83977EF IO chip, two serial ports, and either a game-port, or an isa slot, it could work as a platform for our d8b.

Anyway, back on topic, I ended up using an old MDR I had lying around for spares as a case for my d8b.
Now I needed to find space for the pus's inside the desk. The 5V and +/- 16V gets most hot, so I needed to find a way for them to get rid of the heat.
Inside the desk, there's a long alu-tray that houses the brainboard. It had plenty of space for the large 5v and 12v psu's.
The other two got attached to the side.
I put a power socket right under the bfc connector, and bought a push-button switch that I put in next to it.
Unfortunately the switch has let me down - when I power the desk on, the switch gets stuck, so you can't turn it off again. Bummer. I've ordered another switch which is rated at 12Amps. Hope that will help.

Lastly, my trusty old optical ps/2 mouse finaly gave up life.
Having read a bit in a thread about using usb keyboards, somebody mentioned the ATEN CS82U kvm switch.
I bought that one, and have just now tested it out - it works MARVELOUSLY!! I hooked up my old ps/2 keyboard, and then a wireless usb mouse dongle (logitech anywhere MX), and it just works. Fantastic!

I haven't fully tested the desk out in regards to audio and interference yet, but I think it's working fine.

Anyways, now I just need to learn how to mix.....

Here's a pic of the work done:

The way it was originally supposed to be.....

any more updates on this mod please?

I removed the 48v supply for phantom power, since it did give some noise issues. I thought about making one myself, to see if I could.... well, to see if I could.. :_)
But since I have a motu 1248 with better dacs, I really didnt need it.
The rest works fine, including the newer 12 amp switch
I tried to find a smaller cabinet instead of the big clunky cpu-unit, but the form factor was a problem. I ended up using a scrapped MDR chassis for it.

so what parts have you swapped with your new psu's?

Not at home right now, but the whole idea sprung from a document munkustrap made.
Check here
http://www.weritz.com/probox/PS_for_console_only.pdf

I think these are similar to the ones I used:
12 V supply: meanwell lrs-100-12. (Digi-Key Part Number 1866-3312-ND)
5V supply Meanwell lrs-100-5 (1866-3318-ND). (Note - this one gets quite hot - I attached it t the large alu plate that also holds the brainboard, using some thermal paste. That way, that big alu plate helps distribute the heat.)
Here´s the last one: 1951-1330-ND
That´s the +/- 15V supply. Originally the desk is supplied with +/- 16V, but 15 seems to work fine.

Thanks loads

Check above - I edited the post with a bit more specifics.
NOTE: I have 230V primary - if you order, make sure it fits your primary voltage.


BUT for anyone wanting to do this: BE CAREFULL!!!!!!
I managed to connect the +/- 15 volt in reverse (+ to minus and - to plus), which meant I had to get a new DSP board.....
For me it was a nice upgrade that I really enjoy - but dont do it unless you really know what you´re doing (or like me - you can live with yourself if something gets fried....)

Also note, that for the 5V supply, you need to make sure that the wires have a good solid connection both to the power supply and the pcb. Since the psu had two + and two - connections, I used 4 wires, and even then the wires get a bit hot from the current.

Hi

Yes i read everything. I might get someone that has a license in electronics to do it for me or do it together. My primary is 230V too.

Thanks again
Carlo

Sounds like a good idea
Also, since you mentioned some thumping sounds, you might want to check the capacitors on the power supply board in the desk.
I chose to replace those with high quality Mundorf ones. They old ones were probably still fine, but I just wanted to make extra sure.