Turtlerock Forum

Much like illudium fosdix (the shaving cream atom), it seems that the world's supply of synth fixer upper transformers is drying up. I am looking to find a source of mains transformers with a 9V winding and a 30-42V center tapped winding for all that old gear that uses a 5V digital supply and a +/- 15V supply for analog chips, ie; anything that has MIDI or memories. I have been pulling transformers out of other gear when I need them, but my supply of junker Roland MKS-whatevers in the garage is drying up rapidly. Toroidals usually won't fit either. I am thinking of looking for someone in China to maybe make some unless someone has any other ideas?

I don't think that Farnell or RS has anything anymore either, and of course the prices at those two companies are usually very high, I think they got a big head and put up their prices because they were the places where the super-criminals got all of their parts to build all those secret submarine pens and volcano crater labs throughout the 60's.

[quote="Thirteen"]Much like illudium fosdix (the shaving cream atom), it seems that the world's supply of synth fixer upper transformers is drying up. I am looking to find a source of mains transformers with a 9V winding and a 30-42V center tapped winding for all that old gear that uses a 5V digital supply and a +/- 15V supply for analog chips, ie; anything that has MIDI or memories. I have been pulling transformers out of other gear when I need them, but my supply of junker Roland MKS-whatevers in the garage is drying up rapidly. Toroidals usually won't fit either. I am thinking of looking for someone in China to maybe make some unless someone has any other ideas?

Hi Thirteen, I use Harbuch for any custom made transformers. Mind you I mostly need custom wound toroids, but ask Peter there if they custom wind the ones you need.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/harbuch/

Just give Peter a call 94765854 and as for a quote.

Hope that helps.

Stupid question - why not just build a 5V regulated supply (using a zener or 7805 chip) from the +15V supply? I would think that's about 5 components or something like that.

chris p wrote:Stupid question - why not just build a 5V regulated supply (using a zener or 7805 chip) from the +15V supply? I would think that's about 5 components or something like that.

There are many reasons why this won't work, for instance the 5V supply on machines like Prophets and OBXa's pull a lot of current which would unbalance the analog rails, and all of the noise on the analog lines would get into the computer. Also, remember, I am not designing new circuits, I am just looking for drop-in transformers to replace existing ones in old machines.

so what sort of junk synths do I need to look out for you.
I stumble across this stuff everynow and then and if I can help someone out then thats great.
Cheers

HA_DA_JA wrote:so what sort of junk synths do I need to look out for you.
I stumble across this stuff everynow and then and if I can help someone out then thats great.
Cheers

Any and all junkers are great for me, there are always parts that I can use, so any leads on non-working synths or racks would be greatly appreciated. Old Roland rack gear like MKS series especially.

Thirteen wrote:the 5V supply on machines like Prophets and OBXa's pull a lot of current which would unbalance the analog rails

uh - of course it would. And by the time you've DIY'd a totally separate supply off the transformer you might as well just get the right tap off the right transformer. Silly question answered. [/quote]

if pressed what about an off the shelf transformer for the analog rails and then fit one of these midget 5V SMPSUs in for the logic rails?

Rob

rob wrote:if pressed what about an off the shelf transformer for the analog rails and then fit one of these midget 5V SMPSUs in for the logic rails?

Rob

Hey Rob, where do you find the midget SMPU's?

hey steve stab in the dark but have you tried star delta transformers in yenora








Ben Pounder