Power Supply Mod

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:30 am

Ok, now I'm mad at the stock power supply.

Today it springed out of the socket. When I checked it, there was some black plastic protuding out of the tip of the connector. I had to scrape it off with my finger nail to make it stay in place.

I want to do the internal power supply mod, and just fit a regular PC power supply socket on the casing. I know Mc Hale is doing this, so I hope I can get some step by step instructions.

Did you suceeeded at the end Mc?

Thanks

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:20 am

yes and no.

It's simple as hell to do and there's plenty of room inside. The only trick is how to secure the power supply inside the M50. We've been gigging a lot on the weekend and I'm working with someone right now on a Triton mod.

I have a couple ideas on how to do it none seem to be the "obvious" solution I'm looking for. The bracket on the inside of the M3 won't work. I've looked at wire, angle iron, L brackets, liquid nails, drilling 2 holes through the top of the M50 to hold a bracket, and even some other crazier ideas. With as much as I gig and as much potential banging around, it has to be done right.

I'm actually working with someone next week on fabricating a custom bracket which will mount with 2 screws on the inside. This still seems to be the best way...

I'm with you though. The external power supply blows... really blows.

-Mc

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:08 am

Tomorrow I'll be visiting my local Korg dealer, and if I found a spare power supply I will do the mod right away. I don't want to end up with a dead board because I ruined the power supply trying to mod it inside

Well, I will try to find a spare as soon as possible anyway, because that piece of plastic that I removed came from inside the connector, so something is missing inside. I don't want to use this power supply much more, since it might short and make things worse.

One question, the socket inside is two or three cables? It looks to me is two cables, since the connector doesn't have an spacer on the prong, but I don't know why the main cable is a three cable standard power supply cable. Is the third cable left disconnected inside the power supply pack?

For fixing it inside, why not using a good epoxic glue and maybe some padding to make it fit snuggly inside the case?

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:39 pm

Did you see the pics I posted? I have a picture of the system board you need to solder to. It's 2 wires only. I initially thought it may be three as well which is why I tore it completely down and got voltages as well as continuity.

As far as the epoxy and padding, too much will cause a LOT of heat. There should be as little touching the power supply as possible to allow for heat dissipation. I suppose a test would be if I wrapped put the power supply in a blanket and put something mildly heavy on top and see how warm it gets in the blanket.

-Mc

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:05 am

Just arrived from my Korg dealer. Power supplies arrive in 30 days, so I must wait to do the mod. In the meanwhile I'll be looking for the 3 prong socket (out of an old PC power supply), some good quality cables and some rubber or plastic plugs to cover the hole of the socket. Or maybe I just gonna leave it there. I don't know yet.

Please let me know once you find a way of securely fixing the power pack inside.

Cheers

boogieman · Post by **boogieman** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:27 am

McHale - did you ever drill out to mount a fitting for a standard cable?

I can recommend epoxy glue that's made for PLASTIC - make sure the glue says that. I've glued several things in the past, and they have stuck like iron.

I'm assuming that some soldering is also necessary, other than just having the existing cord come out through the power supply hole.

The power supply really does suck. Hope that the rest of the keyboard holds up better.

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:41 am

I'm going to do that last. I have a Roto Zip with a special metal cutting bit that will handle that nicely. I looked at the plastic epoxy and I'm reluctant to have that be the ONLY thing holding it in place. Also, I need the ability to easily remove the power supply in case it fails. It's going to be a bracket, just haven't figured out the best one yet. I almost finished up last weekend but bailed on it when I wasn't happy with the bracket. I'm only going to do this once.

I'm going to cut the end off the power supply and solder the wires directly to the system board but will leave the DC jack in place which will give me the ability to power the synth with an external power supply if the internal fails.

As far as the keyboard, so far the M50 has held up to 3 gigs a week plus practice daily. I spent about 2 hours tonight just playing one of the piano patches. The 3 way stereo grand is so friggin' expressive. I love that patch... My original intent of the M50 was to be just a gigging keyboard and my M3 would be my at home daily keyboard. I'm using the M50 for everything right now and am still absolutely thrilled with it.

-Mc

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:22 am

McHale wrote: I'm going to cut the end off the power supply and solder the wires directly to the system board but will leave the DC jack in place which will give me the ability to power the synth with an external power supply if the internal fails.

Excellent idea. I was thinking about the same. That way it will still be able to be powered by an external supply via the standard jack.

Jeeze, is so dam odd Korg didn't put that power supply inside in the first place

KORG Please: Next time leave external power supplies to basic synths and arrangers. Workstation is a workstation. No matter if is the lowest end. They are serious keyboards, not "casio" toys. We need durable plugs, not Laptop like connectors.

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:18 am

I think I figured out how to mount it. It's certainly not my first choice but it will be the cleanest and should hold it.

HOPEFULLY, pics tomorrow. Gotta see if Menards has it.

-Mc

p.s. I'm gonna get crap for this one. I know it...