powering 32 ap-16s

[gadget-evilusions]

 Other than 32 of the standard power supplies that come with the ap-16s, any ideas? I have located a 40 amp 18vdc power supply, but it was $800 and I would need at least 2. 18v is not used in industrial controls, so my normal high out put din rail power supplies won't work.

[JackMan]

Have you tried 12V instead of 18? So far all of my sound files play quite well using 12V as long as the amps are there. If your files play clearly at the needed volume using 12V you might consider a couple of big deep cycle batteries, plenty of amps and a whole lot cheaper than a King Kong power supply.

[gadget-evilusions]

I want 18v so I can get the full use out of the amps on the AP-16. This is for my commercial attraction, so I would rather do everything correctly.

[JackMan]

There's nothing "incorrect" with using 12V, the board is marked 12-18VDC.  It's worth a try, you may be surprised at the results.

[gadget-evilusions]

I meant powering off of batteries in a set up where i have 600 amps of 480 3phase power in the same room would be a little odd to me. I would rather spend the money and buy a single power supply to wire all the boards too. I just haven't found a cost effective power supply yet. I will keep looking.

[bsnut]

Brian,

Using a 18VDC power supply is a smart move on your part. By the time you power up all 32 AP16s, the voltage will drop to some what around 16 - 13 volts. Remember, you my want to break the AP16s into fuse circuits. This way you don't loss the whole show when something shorts out or blows the main fuse.

The power supply that you have is not uncommon in commercial/industrial world. We have this type of power supply used in some of our Energy Management Systems and other control equipment where I work at.

 

[gadget-evilusions]

Brian,

Using a 18VDC power supply is a smart move on your part. By the time you power up all 32 AP16s, the voltage will drop to some what around 16 - 13 volts. Remember, you my want to break the AP16s into fuse circuits. This way you don't loss the whole show when something shorts out or blows the main fuse.

The power supply that you have is not uncommon in commercial/industrial world. We have this type of power supply used in some of our Energy Management Systems and other control equipment where I work at.

 

There shouldn't be any voltage drop running 5 feet from the power supply to the ap-16's as long as I use a regulated power supply capable of enough power, and the right gauge wire between all the boards. Do you have a brand name or part number of the ones you use?

[JackMan]

I just haven't found a cost effective power supply yet. I will keep looking.

That's the problem, unless you find someone selling a used one really cheap, they're big $$$$.

[bsnut]

The power supplies that I was talking about are made by Condor. I used these when I worked for the newspaper plant. These power supplies also come in 15VDC and can be adjusted up to 16 volts @ 15 amps.
www.alliedelec.com/Images/Products/Datasheets/BM/CONDOR/744-0314.PDF
The ones I saw don't provide amps for the AP-16. You may want to try the 15 volts supplies, which will cost you $300 less then the one you located.   

[menehune]

You could connect two supplies in series IF:

First, the combined voltage should not exceed the output breakdown voltage rating of the supplies.

Second, the output connections for each power supply should have a reverse biased diode wired across them (see drawing in link).

Third, since the supplies are in series, the current rating of each power supply must equal or exceed the maximum current rating required by the load.

http://www.acopian.com/acopianPowerSupplies/entry.aspx?nsId=17&name=Connecting-Power-Supplies-in-Series

A high current 5V supply and a high current 12V supply could potentially be wired in series.

Tenma has a 0-18V, 0-20A supply at MCM for $500.
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-7690-/72-7690

I just checked ebay and it has a few 18Vdc supplies around $120.

I would suggest security camera power supplies, but they are either 12vdc or 24vac.

[gadget-evilusions]

I have to speak in hypothetical terms right now because I am waiting on my order of AP-16's to arrive and I can't physically check anything until they get here.

I am in the process of installing outlets on new breakers dedicated specifically to powering the 32 ap-16's.

If I go with 32, 18v 3amp power supplies, what is the current draw in 110v ac on each power supply?

If I instead went with multiple 12vdc 10amp power supplies, like the one show here, http://www.homesecurity361.com/power-supplies-1/18-port-supplies/18-port-12v-10a-power-supply-box-for-surveillance-cameras-1.html, how many AP-16's could I run off each one? (I know I can't get full volume at 12v but I may not have to, thus why I am considering this option)

I would have to install a lot let outlets and new breakers for the second option.

[JonnyMac]

I wouldn't go higher than three AP-16s per.

[gadget-evilusions]

So what your saying is that the approximate max draw of an AP-16 at 12vdc would be 3.33 amp?

I may just wait for the 18v power supplies then.

Thanks Jon.

[JonnyMac]

It depends on how loudly the audio is playing; the suggestion gives you a bit of headroom for each.  Power supplies are on order and should be back in stock shortly.

[bsnut]

Brian,

I don't see a problem of you went with multiple 12VDC 10amp CCTV power supplies  that you are talking about and they put out consant 12VDC. My idea is that you can have one for each scene in the house and I would power two AP16s and may get three to work on a 10 amp power supplies to work, if the volume isn't turned up all the way. But, too play it safe I would power two AP16s (6.6 amps) and you will have room to spare (2.5 amps) for a prop controller or two at each scene.

Look at the bright side of this idea of mine, you will not need as many receptacles to plug into. Another cool thing is that these CCTV power supplies are fuse for you as well as the ones that Jon sells.