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Gear / Technical Help => Remote Power => Topic started by: H₂O on July 07, 2007, 10:05:37 PM

Title: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: H₂O on July 07, 2007, 10:05:37 PM
Anybody ever run the PSP-2 at 5Volts?  Any issues?

According to the manual the supported volatges are 5 - 9 Volts.
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: tedyun on July 23, 2011, 12:17:16 PM
I was surprised to see that the PSP-2 can be powered by 5V, 500 mA which conforms to USB standard powering. I can't think of any other preamp in this size/performance category that has such minimal power requirements (Aerco, Sonosax, PSP-3, any others...?).

A while ago, I bought a slim USB battery pack for use with my iPod (APC UPB10). I hacked together a USB to DC jack (from an old AC adapter that I found to fit). Surprisingly, it powers the PSP-2 for quite a while, with Phantom 48V on. I recorded for 8 h, and the battery was only half drained. I'm sure there are smaller USB battery packs with more capacity nowadays since this is a pretty old battery.

Any other experiences out there with powering a PSP-2 with 5V? Any effect on sound quality or SPL handling?
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: ashevillain on July 23, 2011, 03:13:15 PM
I can't think of any other preamp in this size/performance category that has such minimal power requirements (Aerco, Sonosax, PSP-3, any others...?).

The Sound Devices MixPre, MP-2 and Shure FP-24 are all spec'd to run at 5V.

I'd guess the USBPre 2 does as well since it is powered via a USB connector (but I wouldn't put it in the same category as the rest).
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: hi and lo on July 23, 2011, 05:52:41 PM
Mine lasts a ridiculously long time on 6 AAs, I'm not sure I'd ever use an external power source unless absolutely necessary. I am using it at 12v (w/ cmr's and a pfa) instead of 48v, but I think I could probably get 14-20 hours from 6 AAs easy.

Aside from the standard battery sled issues (i.e. not forgetting to flip it backwards when not in use), I think it's more reliable powering source than an external battery with a cable that could wiggle or come unplugged. If you flip the sled backwards, I recommend putting some electrical tape on the back side of the sled just to be certain.

That said... damn those pictures are sexy. :)
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: tedyun on July 23, 2011, 11:13:26 PM
I think the tree-hugger in me tries to find a rechargeable solution whenever possible. I like devices that I can power with both internal and external options. I usually hook up an external supply, and rely on the internal batteries to act as a safety net in case something happens to the external.

I'll probably run the PSP-2 with the external and internals -- I just gotta remember to remove that sled when not in use!!!

Mine lasts a ridiculously long time on 6 AAs, I'm not sure I'd ever use an external power source unless absolutely necessary. I am using it at 12v (w/ cmr's and a pfa) instead of 48v, but I think I could probably get 14-20 hours from 6 AAs easy.

Aside from the standard battery sled issues (i.e. not forgetting to flip it backwards when not in use), I think it's more reliable powering source than an external battery with a cable that could wiggle or come unplugged. If you flip the sled backwards, I recommend putting some electrical tape on the back side of the sled just to be certain.

That said... damn those pictures are sexy. :)
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: stevetoney on July 25, 2011, 08:44:02 AM
Nothing really to add to this except that I just ran the PSP-3 at 6V using a 10Ah 6V SLA for the entire weekend at All Good.  That was something like 44 hours of music spread over 4 days.  Couldn't have been a better experience and the battery only cost me $30 at BatteriesPlus. 

Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 25, 2011, 07:33:30 PM
Nothing really to add to this except that I just ran the PSP-3 at 6V using a 10Ah 6V SLA for the entire weekend at All Good.  That was something like 44 hours of music spread over 4 days.  Couldn't have been a better experience and the battery only cost me $30 at BatteriesPlus. 



Thats awesome, I wish my new Lemosax ran on 5-6v :P I just got my Lemosax and mk41's and dvd battery today! ;D I was wondering tho, is the ring positive or negative on the sax ???

Sorry for the highjack
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: hi and lo on July 26, 2011, 11:53:22 AM
When not in use, I simply flip the battery sled backwards. I've put some duct tape on the back end of the sled because there are some metal contacts. Electrical tape might be a wiser decision, but this has worked well nonetheless. I've left the sled in the unit backwards for a few weeks and there is zero drain.

My poor sled is really busted.. I definitely need to order a new one soon!

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z476/hi_and_lo/P1000743Small.jpg)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z476/hi_and_lo/P1000742Small.jpg)
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: tedyun on July 26, 2011, 01:59:50 PM
Thanks for the tip! I'll just have to remember to flip it every time. Is there a secret to pulling out the tray? I'm using a screwdriver to pry it out. I was thinking of putting a string or thread around one of the holes so that I can just yank it out.

My offer still stands to run to my Fry's and pick up a generic sled for ya!


When not in use, I simply flip the battery sled backwards. I've put some duct tape on the back end of the sled because there are some metal contacts. Electrical tape might be a wiser decision, but this has worked well nonetheless. I've left the sled in the unit backwards for a few weeks and there is zero drain.

My poor sled is really busted.. I definitely need to order a new one soon!

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z476/hi_and_lo/P1000743Small.jpg)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z476/hi_and_lo/P1000742Small.jpg)
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: hi and lo on July 26, 2011, 06:00:40 PM
Is there a secret to pulling out the tray? I'm using a screwdriver to pry it out. I was thinking of putting a string or thread around one of the holes so that I can just yank it out.

It might be that my sled is so badly damaged, but I've never had any trouble removing it from the unit.

A string sounds like a decent enough idea; just make sure there's no way to accidentally damage the sled while setting up for a recording!
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 26, 2011, 06:07:30 PM
string sounds like a good idea :)
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: raoulduke on September 13, 2015, 09:53:01 PM
Has anyone powered a PSP-2 with the Tekkeon mp3300 via its supported voltage ranges of 5, 6, 7.5 or 9?
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: tedyun on September 14, 2015, 02:44:34 PM
I've run the PSP-2 using the related MP3450 at 5 V. On the MP3450, there is a USB port so I usually used this to the PSP, then used the custom DC out to power something else. But it definitely should work with the MP3300 at 5 V.

Has anyone powered a PSP-2 with the Tekkeon mp3300 via its supported voltage ranges of 5, 6, 7.5 or 9?
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: jbell on September 14, 2015, 04:39:20 PM
Yes, will power it for a long time.  I have only run mine at 9v

Has anyone powered a PSP-2 with the Tekkeon mp3300 via its supported voltage ranges of 5, 6, 7.5 or 9?
Title: Re: EAA PSP-2 Running at 5Volts
Post by: raoulduke on September 14, 2015, 07:44:35 PM
Thanks, fellas.   :cheers: