The Voltage Keeper

Sleepin in CA

Sleepin in CA

Higher than a Pterodactyl, you can call me Caveman
Accessory Maker
VoltageKeeper said:
I don't actually own a solo so I can't verify this myself, but from what I am reading, the solo needs either around 7-9v or 12v depending on whether you're charging or just using it for pass-through heating. The VK can definitely provide the 7-9v or 12v, the real question is how much current it needs. From what I'm reading, charging might be OK with 12v @ 1.5A, which the VK should be able to do.

However, the "pass-through" power seems like it requires a lot of amperage. I saw this supply below being recommended as an alternative for the pass-through (requires an adapter for the jack on the solo)
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...0001&productId=206529&catalogId=10001&CID=PDF

However, that adapter is over 5 amps @ 7.5v, which is definitely more than the VK could provide. The funny thing is, that adapter looks nearly the same as the one from my arizer extreme-Q. I'm guessing it needs a similar level of power to that in order to do the pass-through function. That said, I don't think I'd try using the VK for the pass-through, but as a charger it'd probably be OK. You'd need about 37.5 watts to be the equivalent of that pass-through adapter above, and the VK peaks at 25w.

I've considered making a higher-powered VK for people with more specialized uses, it would likely require a larger circuit board with higher rated parts, so it definitely wouldn't be fitting into any smaller cases, but, it could potentially power many more higher powered devices. If there's enough interest in that, I can definitely look into ordering some higher powered boards.

Oh yeah, and I'd definitely recommend the vernier if you were using the VK for this, so you can lock the voltage in place and not have to worry about an accidental bump frying your device.

BTW, these are the adapters you would need in either case, you can get it in right angle or straight:
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Power-Supply®-5-5x2-1mm-4-0x1-7mm/dp/B00EA4GL3W/ref=pd_cp_pc_1

http://www.amazon.com/Barrel-Converter-2-1mm-5-5mm-1-7mm/dp/B009AZ84YA

You could use this for charging with a standard VK.
Click to expand...


That is an awesome response! With how much more complex it is as a pass thru I think I would opt against a custom one.... For now. Heh. Though later I may talk to you about a fixed voltage unit to be used in one setting for charging, and with a switch flip (possibly?) for pass thru use.

Me and my damn custom jobs huh?

=)
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
It's definitely possible to do a switchable fixed voltage sort of thing. In fact, if you wanted to get really fancy, instead of a pot, you can use a rotary switch, and you could have various preset voltages on the switch. Those kind of rotary switches often come with up to 12 positions, you could literally have 12 preset voltages. Of course, the tough part is mostly on me in that regard, I will have to calculate the voltage and come up with the proper resistance for each setting, so needless to say a 12 position one would not be cheap on the labor! However, a unit with maybe 2-6 voltage options wouldn't be too bad. They usually come in 3, 4, 6, and 12 position models.

Now i'm thinking something even cooler though - you could have a knob in addition to a switch. The knob could just be one of the selections on the switch. It could also just be a standard switch too instead of a rotary switch, say, a 3 way switch, one selection could be the knob like on a standard VK, and then two fixed settings for "charge" and "pass-thru". That'd be pretty cool! I'd definitely have to find a higher powered board for the pass-thru mode though.
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Just a follow up on the forum as well here, I did end up finding some higher powered boards. They are much more expensive though, nearly the price of a VK for just the board, but they're practically powerful enough to power a laptop! And I believe they may fit in the standard VK case, but if not, there's some other good case options for it's size.

Needless to say, if anyone wants a high powered unit, expect some additional cost, but it's definitely possible. I've also found some other boards that were somewhat of an in between option, so if you needed something more around say, 3 amps, there's some other options to explore that aren't quite as expensive.

In other news, the spray painted unit got painted last night and it's looking pretty good. I'm re-assembling it now, I'm hoping to have some good photos later tonight when it's finished.
 
Snappo

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
Found this at a popular website. I think it's a nice case design option. Good heat dissipation I imagine. Easy assembly. Ideas?
a8VfcwH.jpg
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Speaking of cool new cases...

minis_painted.jpg


So we've got from left to right, 10-turn pot VK w/moog knob (Chris, that's your unit!) Next to that is a blue miniVK, and next to that blue miniVK is a new blue case I just tried, which is also very mini...let's call it miniVK2.0, It's a bit wider, but shorter, than the regular miniVK. However, it can fit a 10-turn pot! With vernier, or without of course! It only comes in that foggy blue color however. It's actually almost the same size as the "small and tall" which has been available for months now, except it's shorter, about as short as the miniVK. Small and short. Next to that is another standard miniVK, and on the very end, the black painted VK! The photos don't entirely do it justice, the ridges on the sides look very 3d, it's kind of cool in person! On the top is a standard VK, and VK #1 in the top right next to it.
 
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VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Unfortunately, I've already sent it out! However, before I did, I've added another cool trick to it! I put a piece of dark transparent film like material behind the screen area, which further conceals the insides.

Now, when it's off, you just see black, and when it's on, the screens shine through. I tinted the window, haha. This also had the effect of dimming the screens, however, the owner of this unit requested the dimmest screens possible, I think they will rather like the cool surprise I've added!

In other news, all remaining paid for units shipped today. I'm still working on a few custom units that will take more time, more exciting new units will likely be showing up over the next few weeks.
 
Sleepin in CA

Sleepin in CA

Higher than a Pterodactyl, you can call me Caveman
Accessory Maker
Awesome work so far, I can't wait to see how some of these new ones (mine included) turn out!
 
Sleepin in CA,
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timmahsan

timmahsan

treEnt
Does anyone have a good link for a DC adapter that pairs with the VK? I'm pretty noob at electronics and I can't find the right type. :( Does AC to DC adapters work for the VK?
 
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timmahsan,
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Hi all,

I'd ended up talking to the previous poster in PM, but basically gave some suggestions regarding the type of adapters that will work and the connector size.

There are some more projects in the works! I'm still working on the 2 custom units and have 3 others in the works as well. I'm hoping to wrap these up this week. There's some other projects in the works as well, but can't make any official announcements until I'm a bit further along with them.
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
I have a question for all the VK owners out there: how many of you find value in the "input voltage" option? AKA the 3-way switch? In particular, as a standard option?

Don't worry, I'm not planning on dropping the option, but I am considering making the standard choice a simple on/off switch, with the current, 3-way switch, becoming an optional extra.

I've had a few orders lately where all this option did was cause confusion, as people do not realize the switch has 3 positions and attempt to use the unit in the "input voltage" mode!.

I can more easily make units with just a simple on/off switch, without the option to show the input voltage. I was also thinking I could add a label. That would probably reduce the confusion - but it still might just be a feature that goes mostly unused then.

Do any of you regularly use the input voltage mode a lot? What do you all think?
 
E

EveryDayAmnesiac

Well-Known Member
I use the input voltage quite a bit, especially the last two weeks.

I noticed that the VK was dipping in output voltage a bit during the day, and I started to regularly check the input voltage, and it's fluctuating like crazy during the day. It's fluctuating so much that I'm actually impressed that the VK has never allowed a change in voltage these past couple weeks that's more than 0.07.

It's also been handy because I've now found one safe (from cats) plug that also, for reasons beyond my comprehension, does not seem susceptible to the input voltage fluctuations. :shrug:

I consider it part of the VK charm, but can certainly understand how it could be confusing.

:2c:
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Hey look ma...no wires!?

batvk.jpg


batvk_rear.jpg


Yes, that's right, that's a battery you see in there! And a second switch to enable/disable the battery. The input port acts as a charger port for the battery in this case, although with the battery turned off it can still be used with a wall adapter like a standard VK!

This is one of those custom units I've been dying to reveal, and it's finally completed!
 
Snappo

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
VoltageKeeper said:
I have a question for all the VK owners out there: how many of you find value in the "input voltage" option? AKA the 3-way switch? In particular, as a standard option?

Don't worry, I'm not planning on dropping the option, but I am considering making the standard choice a simple on/off switch, with the current, 3-way switch, becoming an optional extra.

I've had a few orders lately where all this option did was cause confusion, as people do not realize the switch has 3 positions and attempt to use the unit in the "input voltage" mode!.

I can more easily make units with just a simple on/off switch, without the option to show the input voltage. I was also thinking I could add a label. That would probably reduce the confusion - but it still might just be a feature that goes mostly unused then.

Do any of you regularly use the input voltage mode a lot? What do you all think?
Click to expand...
The option I feel is a necessity. 3-way switch should be clearly marked is all (e.g., left/on, center/off, right/voltage input).
VoltageKeeper said:
Hey look ma...no wires!?

batvk.jpg


batvk_rear.jpg


Yes, that's right, that's a battery you see in there! And a second switch to enable/disable the battery. The input port acts as a charger port for the battery in this case, although with the battery turned off it can still be used with a wall adapter like a standard VK!

This is one of those custom units I've been dying to reveal, and it's finally completed!
Click to expand...
OK - that's it ...I MUST HAVE IT!!! How many sessions per battery charge?
 
E

EveryDayAmnesiac

Well-Known Member
VoltageKeeper said:
Yes, that's right, that's a battery you see in there! And a second switch to enable/disable the battery. The input port acts as a charger port for the battery in this case, although with the battery turned off it can still be used with a wall adapter like a standard VK!
Click to expand...

How does one know when the battery is fully charged, or how much charge it has left? Is that what the second screen is for?

Does the battery charge when using it as a normal VK?
 
VoltageKeeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
So far, I've gotten three responses (one in private), all overwhelmingly in favor of the switch. I think a label is going to be the better solution, at least for now. Even if the label falls off later or something, the person who owns it would know by that point it has 3 positions. I may still make the switch an option, but we'll see. I like it too, but it is extra work.

Hahaha, as for the sessions per battery charge, I really couldn't say at this point. I literally just finished making this thing before I took that photo! It's the same battery pack that was posted in this thread a few pages back from ebay, it's like 4500mah, and normally comes in a black case with a charger. I removed it from that case and put it into the VK.

As for the charging/knowing it's charged, the wallwart style charger that it comes with actually has a separate LED on it, it'll be green when it's not charging and red when it's charging. However, the LED on the VK itself is only to tell you that the battery is on. It comes on when the second switch is in the on position. You need to have that switch on whenever using the battery, whether you're charging, or discharging.

If the 2nd switch is off, the VK functions exactly as a normal VK would, powered from a wall adapter, and no power will be drawn or given to the battery.

As for whether you can charge it and use it plugged in at the same time. So far, it SEEMS to work, but I am not sure whether the battery is actually charging, or just being kept from draining any further. I can't guarantee it's actually charging, keeping it where it is, or very slowly draining the battery (since the charger may not have enough power to both charge, and power the VK) but in time we'll probably have that answer.
 
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Snappo

Snappo

Caveat Emptor - "A Billion People Can Be Wrong!"
Accessory Maker
VoltageKeeper said:
So far, I've gotten three responses (one in private), all overwhelmingly in favor of the switch. I think a label is going to be the better solution, at least for now. Even if the label falls off later or something, the person who owns it would know by that point it has 3 positions. I may still make the switch an option, but we'll see. I like it too, but it is extra work.

Hahaha, as for the sessions per battery charge, I really couldn't say at this point. I literally just finished making this thing before I took that photo! It's the same battery pack that was posted in this thread a few pages back from ebay, it's like 4500mah, and normally comes in a black case with a charger. I removed it from that case and put it into the VK.

As for the charging/knowing it's charged, the wallwart style charger that it comes with actually has a separate LED on it, it'll be green when it's not charging and red when it's charging. However, the LED on the VK itself is only to tell you that the battery is on. It comes on when the second switch is in the on position. You need to have that switch on whenever using the battery, whether you're charging, or discharging.

If the 2nd switch is off, the VK functions exactly as a normal VK would, powered from a wall adapter, and no power will be drawn or given to the battery.

As for whether you can charge it and use it plugged in at the same time. So far, it SEEMS to work, but I am not sure whether the battery is actually charging, or just being kept from draining any further. I can't guarantee it's actually charging, keeping it where it is, or very slowly draining the battery (since the charger may not have enough power to both charge, and power the VK) but in time we'll probably have that answer.
Click to expand...
Click here -
BRILLIANT! GENIUS!! WoW!!!
 
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