Keep those racks juicy.

Interesting! So this means the Power module can actually distribute more power than the wall wart can deliver. 

I haven't had issues yet (despite having MultiFX, Algodrone & Cirrus in the same rack), but I'm not sure I payed good attention to the METER at all times 

I'd be interested to know what is going on here (my assumption is that due to some current-heavy modules, the voltage is sagging and this is affecting the METER module - either the processor is flaking out or the display is... the display is driven as fast as possible, so it could be an edge case ). I wonder how much current is being consumed 'on paper' (e.g. adding up all the numbers from the grid) by the remaining modules?

The wall wart of the ae modular is alledgedly specced to provide 9 volts at 1.7A whereas my new power supply provides 9 volts at 1900mA so I don't think that I'm pushing the master module that much harder.

Perhaps robertlanger can chip in on this.

My finding is that I'm not nearly qualified enough to be messing w/ datasheets... 😅
I guess I did find some interesting information though.
Max operating temp is 125deg C, and that there _isn't_ a max output current listed.
So in theory (?) everything is within the listed parameters.
I guess it's just making sure the chip doesn't get close to the 125deg, but that would have to be measured for the master module specifically, as that would change depending on how quickly the heatsink can dissipate heat.

I'm a bit confused looking at the data sheet does this mean that 1.9a is still possible or am I going to fry my master module eventually?

The datasheets gives a minimum & typical 'maximum load value' = I_Omax, for usage under 15V voltage difference (like our use case). 

Basicly this means they tested a bunch of their chips, driving them with a load current until the go defect. Then they noted for each chip at which current it broke down.

So on average they break down around 2.2A, being the 'typical' maximum load value.

However, they also have a minimal value, being the value at which a few chips already started to stop working, in this case 1.5A.

The 'maximum' maximum load value is of course a blank space, as it would not be very informative at which point the most extreme tested chip kept working.


So in essence, most chips will work until around 2.2A, however, you can only be SURE that they work until 1.5A. This is also 1.5A at the 5V side of things, which would mean 800mA at the 9V side of things. (the Power must remain constant, P = U*I, so if voltage goes up, the current must come down. Other way to see it, is that U/I must remain at a fixed ratio, otherwise the conservation of energy law gets violated).

I'd say you're golden then. Just keep an eye on the power consumption of your rig on the grid, and as long as the total power use is under that recommended 800ma (as stated by Robert), you'll be fine regardless of how beefy your PSU is.

I find that electronic systems can act erratically and fail when they are even close to their limits. By upgrading your PSU, you are essentially allowing your master module to supply the correct amount of power without flinching.

Here is my guess on what's happening, if you power the rack by plugging the powersupply in the powerstrip then it takes some time before the powersupply provides full power. During this powerup the Meter module is already booting since it has enough power and addressing the screen which in itself is no completely booted yet  since the power provided by the powersuplly is not full level which leaves the Meter module in a state where the screen and the module are not properly synced. If you power the rack by plugging in the cable in the barrel connector on the master module the power supply is already past that ramping powerup moment thus the METER module works properly. Just a guess

Great idea, just bought one online, another parcel to look forward to.