Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output?

duddex
Full Member

First things first, but not necessarily in that order - Doctor Who

Posts: 202

Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Nov 28, 2021 12:10:44 GMT pol, keurslagerkurt, and 1 more like this

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Post by duddex on Nov 28, 2021 12:10:44 GMT

When I came into my room this morning I noticed that my AE modular system was still running even though I had unplugged the main power.

It turned out, that my Arduino Nano was still connected to my laptop. The USB port of my laptop is set to "Always-on" (this is a feature to be able to charge phones etc, even when that laptop is not running). The Arduino Nano is plugged in into my BRAEDBOARD and 5V and ground were connected as well --> So it seems that my AE Modular system was powered by the laptop via USB cable to my Arduino Nano via BRAEDBOARD.

The question is: would it be possible to power the AE Modular via (for example) a USB power bank directly by connecting to one of the 5V and ground output pins? Or could this break my system?
Should I buy a 5volt-to-9volt-converter?

I made a short video:

keurslagerkurt
Admin Member

Posts: 1,010

Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Nov 29, 2021 8:52:48 GMT via mobile duddex likes this

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Post by keurslagerkurt on Nov 29, 2021 8:52:48 GMT

This would only work decently via the breadboard connection points. The 5V & Gnd of the master module have some resistance behind them, so you could connect them to eachother or to anything without creating a short. If you'd run all the power through these, i think the resistors might get smokey.. or at least you'd get a decent voltage drop.

The braedboard connections do not have this resistor, they are clean connections to the 5V and gnd and as such they could theoretically power the rack i guess?

However, easiest point to connect a 5V power bank is of course the bus connector points. There is a thread by Thuesday Night machines showing that (on phone rn, so i'll search another time), and it's how I use a 5V phone charger to power mine.

Live music, from techno to hiphop. www.linktr.ee/keurslagerkurt

AE modules and DIY kits on Tindie: www.tindie.com/stores/bfsynths/

duddex Full Member First things first, but not necessarily in that order - Doctor Who Posts: 202	Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Nov 29, 2021 16:29:35 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by duddex on Nov 29, 2021 16:29:35 GMT I found this video by THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES where he shows the "Harley Benton PowerPlant Powerbank" for powering guitar effect pedals. The output voltage of this power bank is 9V.

keurslagerkurt
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Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Nov 29, 2021 16:58:32 GMT pol and duddex like this

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Post by keurslagerkurt on Nov 29, 2021 16:58:32 GMT

9V power bank or power adapter (like myVolts sells) def does the trick.

This is how I do it with just a 5V adaptor, I use this trick by TTNM: forum.aemodular.com/thread/1389/ae-modular-microusb-power-adapter

It can be a bit noisey, but it works perfectly fine. A small, cheap power bank powers my 1row rack for about 4-5 hours, which is great for me!

Live music, from techno to hiphop. www.linktr.ee/keurslagerkurt

AE modules and DIY kits on Tindie: www.tindie.com/stores/bfsynths/

enslavedelectrons
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Posts: 6

Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Jan 26, 2022 20:40:19 GMT via mobile

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Post by enslavedelectrons on Jan 26, 2022 20:40:19 GMT

There's an abundance of rechargeable power banks for mobile phones and they are perfect for powering up an ae system but anything over a standard 16 or maybe pushing a double 12 slot but you will need to get a higher milliamp rating I'm sure for it to last long enough to get anything meaningful done but good observation there mate.

keurslagerkurt
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Posts: 1,010

Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output? Jan 31, 2022 17:04:58 GMT via mobile

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Post by keurslagerkurt on Jan 31, 2022 17:04:58 GMT

Jan 26, 2022 20:40:19 GMT enslavedelectrons said:

There's an abundance of rechargeable power banks for mobile phones and they are perfect for powering up an ae system but anything over a standard 16 or maybe pushing a double 12 slot but you will need to get a higher milliamp rating I'm sure for it to last long enough to get anything meaningful done but good observation there mate.

My one row lasted for about 4 hours with a mediocre, six year old power bank 😄 AE power consumption is fairly low, you can check it for each module on grid.aemodular.com

Live music, from techno to hiphop. www.linktr.ee/keurslagerkurt

AE modules and DIY kits on Tindie: www.tindie.com/stores/bfsynths/

Powering the AE Modular system "directly" via power output?

Post by duddex on Nov 28, 2021 12:10:44 GMT

Post by keurslagerkurt on Nov 29, 2021 8:52:48 GMT

Post by duddex on Nov 29, 2021 16:29:35 GMT

Post by keurslagerkurt on Nov 29, 2021 16:58:32 GMT

Post by enslavedelectrons on Jan 26, 2022 20:40:19 GMT

Post by keurslagerkurt on Jan 31, 2022 17:04:58 GMT