MOTM case update

[Paul Schreiber]

Well, this has been a busy week for UPS at my house!!! All of the MOTM pots, jacks, and ICs are in
for the first set of modules. But I need to inform you on a (possibly sad) development....

The woodworker that I had lined up to do the big cases was told Friday he has a rare heart condition. He is
going in tomorrow for a battery of tests. But the outlook is not good (sigh, he's only 34, wife/3 kids).

So, initially I will only be able to offer a mounting kit (called 'stringer bars') for 19" racks. They are tapped
steel black rails about 1/2" wide that just screw into each side with a standard #10 screw (provided).
The MOTM modules will bolt to them (across the top and bottom) with 4ea #8 black screws (also kindly
provided at a modest fee). In the useable 18" or so across, you can get 3/5 modules.

The power supply I will have at first is a PowerOne model # HAA15-0.8-A. It has "universal inputs", meaning
you can use it worldwide (100/110/120/220/240). I will have an IEC power entry connector with a
standard 5x20mm fuse. There will be an ordering code for US/Non-US so I can ship the correct fuse.
You will have to dig up a power cord (my local computer clones shop sells them for $1). There is a
power switch, a green LED for ON, and a power harness pc board with 12 MTA-156 connectors ( for
powering 12 modules). I will go ahead and ship them as +-15V instead of 12 so everyone can be happy.

Since we are talking big nasty voltages, I'm having 95% of the wiring harness pre-fabbed using what is called
a Faston connector. The old fart term is 'spade lug'. Of course the US version is .250 and the EC is 0.187.
But I can get both, so I can hook the EC switch to the US AC connector. This means the bulk of the kit
is no soldering, just attaching stuff to the panel and plugging the wires up. You will have to heat-shrink the
connectors to keep them from wiggling loose, but the heat shrink is provided. The only soldering
is to the LED and 1 end of the 6 wires to the supply.

The "big wooden case" supply is done in a slightly different way.

So, I have to take a "wait and see" on providing the Moog 55 style case at first. If his tests come back OK, I can
get him started next week and probably have them mid-March. Else I have to find another cabinetmaker.

Now this may be a GOLDEN opportunity for somebody to step in with a MOTM-compatible case.

The front panels get set to the metal shop Friday. Things are moving along, and I think everyone will be pleased with
the end product (the S&H droop measured on the bench was 500uV/min!). Stay tuned!!!!

Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology