Replacing the PSU in a 13-slot Digidesign expansion chassis

[sequencers.io]

I recently purchased a 13-slot Digidesign PCI expansion chassis off Ebay. It came with a Mix Farm, Mix Core & SampleCell II+ cards.

After getting it, the CBL1HF cable, & PCI host interface, I put my Korg Oasys, Keyspan SX Pro & Creamware Scope SP cards in it.

Noticed that the chassis turned on immediately after plugging in the power cable, so the power button doesn't work. However, it ran OK without issue for about 90 minutes before I heard a "pop" and then all the fans turning off. Seems like the power supply is blown. I put an AC voltage detector on the bundle of wires leaving the PSU and there was no activity detected.

The PSU in the machine is a 3P KPP401-40 400W. The PCI backplane board is a PCI13BP. Here are the PSU specs:

3P PACIFIC POWER PRODUCTS
Model No.: KPP401-40 MAX. O/P: 400W
Rev: M-02

AC I/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . DC O/P

100-120Vac /8.0A . . . . . . . + 5V 50.0A
200-240Vac /5.0A . . . . . . . + 12V 27.0A
50/60Hz . . . . . . . . . . .  - 5V 1.0A
AutoSelect . . . . . . . . . . - 12V 3.0A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  + 3.3V 30.0A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  + 5Vsb 1.0A

From what I've read elsewhere, the 50AMP rating on the +5V rail makes this PSU relatively rare.

I've found more or less the same PSU on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-3P-KPP401-40-Power-Supply-Input-1100-1120-200-240VAC-Max-O-P-400W/313155780333 It's a different revision, which I am guessing is the power switch on the back.

My options are:

• Send this chassis back and get my money returned (I paid $600)
• Try to get a partial refund of some kind and replace the PSU with the PSU I found on Ebay
• Try to get a partial refund and get the PSU repaired

If I opt for #3, does anyone have any recommendations for someone who could repair my PSU? Would it be cheaper than $200?

[Philgood]

I was in the same situation like you a while ago.
I also was concerned about the wattage on the 5V rail but
ended up putting in a spare/parts PowerSupply from work and haven't had any problem.
BUT...you have quite a mix of different cards so your needs may vary.
Can give you the specs of mine if you want to provide some guidance.
Wouldn't spend too much on it.

[sequencers.io]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll pop over to Vogons and see what they have to say about it, given there appears to be a lot of knowledge there re: PCI backplanes, etc.

[teroyk]

Newer model works with normal ATX PSU (I have replaced one with PSU made by Seasonic) and the oldest expansion chassis models works with AT-PSU.

[sequencers.io]

My apologies for the belayed reply, but I wanted to report that this revision wound up working out for me. In fact, after installing the new PSU, the front power button began working, as did all of the front panel lights.

[smilesdavis]

is there a list of expansion chassis that work with G4s?

[tunedbytad]

13 slot with Digidesign silk screened on it always work for me.
7 Slots Never have ever worked for me.

[smilesdavis]

13 slot with Digidesign silk screened on it always work for me.
7 Slots Never have ever worked for me.

i bought magma unbranded by digi 7slotter because i read somewhere those work. we will see..

[mrhappy]

I have 1 SBS(Digi branded) and 3 Magma...all 7 slotters. A few years back the power supply on the SBS died and I swapped the supply from one of the magmas and it's still working (knock on genuine simulated wood grain! ) ... bought a supply for the Magma but I can't recall what it was...probably have the box around somewhere so I'll have a look when I get a chance. I'd like to try a 13 slot when one pops up at the right time for the right price!

[teroyk]

is there a list of expansion chassis that work with G4s?

I think that all Magma PCI-chassis work. I have tested 1 (half-lenght),2,4 and 13 slot versions with Magma PCMCIA-card with Powerbook G4.
and all Digidesign PCI-chassis work or does somebody know model that don't?

[tunedbytad]

is there a list of expansion chassis that work with G4s?

I think that all Magma PCI-chassis work. I have tested 1 (half-lenght),2,4 and 13 slot versions with Magma PCMCIA-card with Powerbook G4.
and all Digidesign PCI-chassis work or does somebody know model that don't?

13 slot with Digidesign silk screened on it always work for me.
7 Slots Never have ever worked for me.

[smilesdavis]

13 slot with Digidesign silk screened on it always work for me.
7 Slots Never have ever worked for me.

Pro Tools 5.1.3 Addendum:

Support For New Magma 7-Slot Chassis (Macintosh Only)
The Magma 7-Slot Expansion Chassis (models P7R-D1 and P7RQ-D1) are supported with the following systems:
Pro Tools|24 MIX, MIXplus, and MIX3:
◆ Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
◆ Power Macintosh G4
Magma models P7R-D1 andP7RQ-D1 require DAE/DSI 5.01.

[tunedbytad]

If you actually find a leprechaun or a genie
and then they actually grant you 3 wishes
and the wishes come true
without unforeseen consequences

I will concede my stated point that is biased on 2 decades of Digidesign ProTools Experience

The sweet spots is very specific and clear to me

1. ProTools v.5.1.3 TDM PCI MixPlus in a 13 Slot PCI Digi Magma Exp with 888/882/1622 i/o on a MDD G4
or
2. ProTools v.2023 HDX in a PCI Exp with 192/96 I/0 on a 5,1 or Current MacPro
or
3. ProTools Free 2023 on a new Apple Laptop *upgradable to thunderbolt connected hardware DSP
(if you dont need a ton of I/O) #3 is also portable / powerful /simple / low power consumption

I have worked with the Nubuss systems on the pre G4s
the limitations are brutal by todays standards

5.1.3 Mix Plus really has held up well over the decades.
I could gush for hours...

[smilesdavis]

"13 Slot PCI Digi Mama Exp"

SBS, Magma? P/N, Model #, Chassis Number, Revision?
its time to end 20 years of vagueness and replace it with actual tested facts, reproduceable for everyone.

[tunedbytad]

its time to end 20 years of vagueness and replace it with actual tested facts, reproduceable for everyone.

Feel a little like your putting this on me
This is not my responsibility
with that out of the way
I spent a huge chunk of my free money an time to have this esoteric knowledge

This is what works
"Facts" I have 5x of these they all work;

13 Slot MAGMA
NB0746300E

"Facts" I have and have had several 7 slot SBS and MAGMA they never have worked for me.
"Facts" I have 2x 7 slot SBS the only thing there good for is keeping Mix Farms Safely Stored

Smiles If your next post on the forum is about Nubus Cards I might poke my own eyeballs out

[smilesdavis]

its time to end 20 years of vagueness and replace it with actual tested facts, reproduceable for everyone.

Feel a little like your putting this on me
This is not my responsibility
with that out of the way
I spent a huge chunk of my free money an time to have this esoteric knowledge

This is what works
"Facts" I have 5x of these they all work;

13 Slot MAGMA
NB0746300E

"Facts" I have and have had several 7 slot SBS and MAGMA they never have worked for me.
"Facts" I have 2x 7 slot SBS the only thing there good for is keeping Mix Farms Safely Stored

Smiles If your next post on the forum is about Nubus Cards I might poke my own eyeballs out

sans the drama here a a few reasons why your expansion chassis might or might not work properly:

- Assuming everything is rev QC or later, Put the DSP farm first, put your DSP farm II's after it
- One other thing, the 13 slot chassis is split into two separate busses, I believe the first 7 slots and the last 6. A damaged cable from your host card to the chassis, or improperly seated cards could also be a culprit. The split was so you could stick a PT rig and an avid system on the same rig, without them interfering with each other
- Other thing you might want to check is the power supply. Some of those exp chassis are underpowered. Mine has a 400W Antec, I think they came with 350 or 300 Watt. With 10 cards, that's pushing it

http://archive.digidesign.com/compato/os9/pt24/expand.html

One more thing: NUBUS!!