n00b questions alert

[Pars]

The shovel is the proven implement for these kinds of things...

[swt61]

Or you could always just hit the examiner over the head with a lump of wood.

The shovel is the proven implement for these kinds of things...

Now there are some helpful and useful ideas. I always hated pop quizzes anyway.

[luvdunhill]

yeah, even scarier is that big lump of the second hardest wood known to man in his workshop. ....

I'm not even going there, it's too easy.

[Smeggy]

yeah, even scarier is that big lump of the second hardest wood known to man in his workshop. ....

I'm not even going there, it's too easy.

*Paging Dusty..*

[luvdunhill]

Smeggy: I dropped the parts in the mail this morning!

[Dusty Chalk]

*Paging Dusty..*

I don't think I'm needed, those jokes write themselves.

[Smeggy]

Smeggy: I dropped the parts in the mail this morning!

Thank you very much

[Smeggy]

Smeggy: I dropped the parts in the mail this morning!

Parts arrived in the mail last night thanks very much

[luvdunhill]

Parts arrived in the mail last night thanks very much

I hope they were what you needed

[Smeggy]

Yep, just perfect thanks!

[Smeggy]

Question on umbilical for my beta/fet/EHHA.

As many of you know I'm planning on sharing one sigma 22 between 3 amps in one big case. Is there any reason not to use a standard 3-core power lead as an umbilical from psu to amp? I ask because they're cheap, decent length, easy to find leads and sockets and they tend to be decent gauge copper. I can put three IEC sockets in a row on the back of the amp and even have them switched/fused if needed.

I see many specialized connectors used or built for these and other amps and wondered if there was any logical reason not to use plain old IEC parts.

[Grahame]

Question on umbilical for my beta/fet/EHHA.

As many of you know I'm planning on sharing one sigma 22 between 3 amps in one big case. Is there any reason not to use a standard 3-core power lead as an umbilical from psu to amp? I ask because they're cheap, decent length, easy to find leads and sockets and they tend to be decent gauge copper. I can put three IEC sockets in a row on the back of the amp and even have them switched/fused if needed.

I see many specialized connectors used or built for these and other amps and wondered if there was any logical reason not to use plain old IEC parts.

Because at some point, or a meeting, someone will connect AC mains to the IEC socket ( because thats what they are used for, right?), and you won't like the outcome, and will regret this decision.

Other people have mentioned Amphenol umbilicals in the past.

[spritzer]

Safety would be my main concern and IEC's are a pain to work with. There are plenty of cheap 3 pin connectors out there that won't risk burning up the amp. If you need wire for the umbilical then you can just raid some old computer PSU for 16AWG/300v copper wire. I would also shield it with some copper mesh but it's not really needed.

[Grahame]

Power Umbilical Connectors? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

[Pars]

Safety would be my main concern and IEC's are a pain to work with. There are plenty of cheap 3 pin connectors out there that won't risk burning up the amp. If you need wire for the umbilical then you can just raid some old computer PSU for 16AWG/300v copper wire. I would also shield it with some copper mesh but it's not really needed.

Agreed. You do not want to use any connector type that is commonly used for something else. Examples: IEC, XLR, RCA, etc. As Grahame pointed out, someone is going to plug the wrong thing in at some point.

[Smeggy]

Ok, so it's just down to the inevitability of human stupidity than anything else then. I guess you're right. I will see what's already fitted and get another couple of those.

Cheers

[spritzer]

From your pics it uses a Neutrik PowerCon which is a very nice, 3 pole connector.

[Smeggy]

Cool, I've never seen one in the flesh so I couldn't say what it was.

[Looser101]

[url=http://www.neutrik.com/fl/en/audio/204_390365502/PowerCon%C2%AE_20_Amp_productlist.aspx]Neutrik - Audio - PowerCon

[Smeggy]

Thanks, that looks like the one

[swt61]

Yep, the PowerCon is my preferred method for umbilicle connection. And it twists to lock.

[Smeggy]

I still have much to learn... that phone connector I was talking about before was just the female XLR. I'll have nothing to plug yours into to test until I get a 4 pin socket.

[Nebby]

Yep, the PowerCon is my preferred method for umbilicle connection. And it twists to lock.

I also like PowerCons and SpeakOns; in fact, I'm thinking of possibly using the SpeakOn connectors for an external crossover -> speaker connection

[Pars]

I haven't tried the Neutrik Powercon/Speakons, but I have used the JAE aluminum housed connectors and like them. Available in up to 16ga pins (solder), so good for most applications unless you need real high power handling. Similar to the Amphenol mil connectors but more reasonably priced.

For some reason, Mouser only stocks these with the chassis connector with male pins and the cable connector with female, which is backwards for a power supply chassis connector IMHO. Digikey carries the female pin chassic connectors.