VG99 AC Adaptor Help!

Started by pasha811, March 12, 2012, 10:21:48 PM

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pasha811

I had an horror story with my AC Adaptor (PSB-1U).
After 1 year of service, last December the AC Adaptor (PSB-1U) that came with my VG99, died.
I asked the shop to replace it but they answered that it's not covered by warranty. I have initiated a 'discussion' with Roland which is progressing but that's another story.
I bought an original Roland (PSB-1U) spare from another shop and yesterday after less than 3 months on three days a week average usage  it died.... and that makes two.

So, the specs of the Roland PSB-1U as written on the unit's back are

PRI  : 100-240 V 50/60Hz 0.4mA
SEC : +9.0 V - 2A - 18W

I have a spare Hama (Chinese stuff) which is capable of running the VG99 with those specs:

PRI  : 100-240 V 50/60Hz 350 mA
SEC : 3/4.5/5/6/7.5/9/12V - 1500mA - 18VA (it's a switch-able power unit capable of several voltages)

The question is : Can I use the VG99 safely with this AC Adaptor? Will it damage the unit?
VG99 is said to drain 1300mA current so it should go but I need your word on that.

Thank you in advance!
Pasha

PS : Is Roland PSB-1U quality so bad?



Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

gumtown

I should think the Hama unit should do the job,
just make sure the polarity of the DC output is the same as the Roland PSU, I would also tape over the voltage selector (or a dab of silicon sealer) so it can't be accidently changed.
The Hama power supply could possibly introduce a little bit of fizzy noise if the filtering quality is not up to spec.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

aliensporebomb

My brain makes me wonder if there's something wrong in the VG-99 that's causing the power supplies to die.  Elantric: is this plausible you think?
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

gumtown

Two things that kill switchmode power supplies are ..
If the supply voltage is below the minimum 100v, the internal switcher gets hot as it nears 50% duty cycle.
or
If the supply is plugged into the same power outlet as an inductive load (amplifier or electric motor) and the supply gets switched off at the wall, the inductive spike will kill the PSB-1U power supply. Unplug the PSU-1B power supply from the mains first before switching off amps.

The PSB-1U supply should be internally protected against overload or shortcircuit.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

pasha811

Quote from: gumtown on March 13, 2012, 04:42:27 PM
Two things that kill switchmode power supplies are ..
If the supply voltage is below the minimum 100v, the internal switcher gets hot as it nears 50% duty cycle.
or
If the supply is plugged into the same power outlet as an inductive load (amplifier or electric motor) and the supply gets switched off at the wall, the inductive spike will kill the PSB-1U power supply. Unplug the PSU-1B power supply from the mains first before switching off amps.

The PSB-1U supply should be internally protected against overload or shortcircuit.

Thanks for replies and suggestions.
I live in Italy so input is 220V. I plugged the  PSU  into a multi-plug protected from overcurrent and spikes.
However this multi-plug is shared with my iMac so when I plug in the PSU the multi-plug is on when my iMac is on (as it always is..) Does this count?

Best Regards
Pasha
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

aliensporebomb

Gumtown's message brings to mind why mine has lasted several years of hard gigging:  At the end of a set, I set up a big loop that will take probably 8-10 minutes to wind-down. 

I then turn off my VG-99, disconnect the power adapter and pack the 99 and adapter away while my last number is still going and that way some people get some entertainment as I'm packing up.  Its something I saw Fripp do at the end of a King Crimson concert once, just had a slowly devolving loop going.

So I've always shut off the VG-99 via its switch, then disconnect the AC adapter as part of the tear-down process.  Interesting.

My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

gumtown

Moisture or excessive humidity can also kill switching power supplies.

Otherwise chances of two supplies dying are 1:1000000 so maybe you are customer number 1000000.  :-\
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

pasha811

Quote from: gumtown on March 14, 2012, 11:42:02 AM
Moisture or excessive humidity can also kill switching power supplies.

Otherwise chances of two supplies dying are 1:1000000 so maybe you are customer number 1000000.  :-\

Being lucky is a good thing..  ;D
I have tried the Hama yesterday and it worked flawlessly. The difference in MSRP is 10 Euros so seems to be a good replacement.
However it tops at 1.5A and VG99 is asking 1.3A at 9V so I guess it will get insanely hot after some hours of usage.
I have the feeling that all of this Chinese manufacturing done in outsourcing affects quality.... my wish is that VG99 at least will not follow the same destiny.. :P
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

guitardude4700

Anyone try a "One Spot"? I use it for my boss recorders for years and they work fine

pasha811

#9
Three years ago I got my VG99.
After one year the power supply failed and Roland told me no warranty claims were possible.
I got a replacement. After three months the replacements went dead as well. Again no warranty claim possible.
I was pissed off. From a local electronics store I eventually got this:

https://de.hama.com/00046588/hama-eco-1500-universal-switched-mode-power-supply

It has the right connector and with reverse polarity it can be adapted for every thing.
I set this to work on 9V and VG99 works fine since then. I do not know the PSB 1U specification and I was not able
to find them on Roland website. It seems odd to me that VG99 works with only 9V @ 1.3A but that must be right...

Any comments welcome.
Best
Pasha




Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#10
the specs of the Roland PSB-1U as written on the unit's back are

PRI  : 100-240 V 50/60Hz 0.4mA
SEC : +9.0VDC @  2A

The highest current demand occurs when using the VG-99 with the FC-300 + US-20 + GK-3 ( even more with a Ghost Piezo or even more with a Godin RMC PolyDriveX)  - as that one Roland PSB-1U supply powers everything.

I suggest locate a supply designed to provide 9VDC at 2000mA ( 2 Amps) minimum- as this matches the Roland PSB-1U specification.

When I was working in Italy ( Pescara) back in 2001  I saw AC Mains voltage fluctuations  between 200-230VAC

To protect your music gear, also I recommend use an Un-interuptable Power Supply (UPS)  designed to constrain the delivered AC voltage to 220VAC ( your local desired AC Mains voltage) and prevent over voltage / under voltage  spikes, or power outages that can corrupt internal memory on your gear.

Here's  a typical small 220VAC UPS for Italy
http://www.riello-ups.com/products/1-ups/39-iplug



At the site where my shop is, I have single phase and three phase AC Mains and my neighbor is running Arc welding equipment all day - so AC Voltage fluctuations  would easily kill and shorten the life span of the "AC Wall Wart" Power supplies on my music gear - this is why I always connect my music gear Power supplies into a UPS!

pasha811

Quote from: Elantric on December 24, 2014, 06:47:17 AM
the specs of the Roland PSB-1U as written on the unit's back are

PRI  : 100-240 V 50/60Hz 0.4mA
SEC : +9.0VDC @  2A

The highest current demand occurs when using the VG-99 with the FC-300  - as that one Roland PSB-1U supply powers everything.

I suggest locate a supply designed to provide 9VDC at 2000mA ( 2 Amps) minimum- as this matches the Roland PSB-1U specification.

When I was working in Italy ( Pescara) back in 2001  I saw AC Mains voltage fluctuations  between 200-230VAC

To protect your music gear, also I recommend use an Un-interuptable Power Supply (UPS)  designed to constrain the delivered AC voltage to 220VAC ( your local desired AC Mains voltage) and prevent over voltage / under voltage  spikes, or power outages that can corrupt internal memory on your gear.

Here's  a typical small 220VAC UPS for Italy
http://www.riello-ups.com/products/1-ups/39-iplug



At the site where my shop is, I have single phase and three phase AC Mains and my neighbor is running Arc welding equipment all day - so AC Voltage fluctuations  would easily kill and shoten the life span of the "AC Wall Wart" Power supplies on my music gear - this is why I always connect my music gear Power supplies into a UPS!

Wow Elantric!!! You were in Pescara! Great.. Did you eat 'Cacio con le Pere?' I hope so... :-)
Thank you for suggestion I'll check with the local store. I now recall that I did post this very message years ago.. I am getting older.

Cheers
Paolo
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/