Zen mini MK2 DC max voltage input

[Greg Linton]

I have an old Zen Mini Mk2. What is the maximum DC voltage input? Can one use 18vdc instead of 12vdc? Goal is to run a ProJect Pre DS2 (18V) and my Zen Mini MK2 with a dual output 18VDC LSPU.

 

[Stephen Healy]

Voltage requirements always depend on amperage as well. So, if you are increasing voltage by 50% then you will need to decrease the amperage accordingly. At 18v you probably do not want more than 2A.
Do note that there is a possibility that the DC barrel plug needs to be the correct size/dimensions also. Third-party PSUs will void the warranty also, but as this is a ZENmini MkII it does not really apply as its out of warranty anyway, but do keep in mind the usual underlying risks of damage etc.

 

[Greg Linton]

Voltage requirements always depend on amperage as well. So, if you are increasing voltage by 50% then you will need to decrease the amperage accordingly. At 18v you probably do not want more than 2A.
Do note that there is a possibility that the DC barrel plug needs to be the correct size/dimensions also. Third-party PSUs will void the warranty also, but as this is a ZENmini MkII it does not really apply as its out of warranty anyway, but do keep in mind the usual underlying risks of damage etc.

Many thanks for the quick response. My question was if 18 volts can be supplied to the MK2 instead of 12 volts. I see that the MK3 has a 9 to 24 volt range. Is the MK2 similar?

I would like to avoid an 18 to 12 volt converter in the power supply. My PSU will likely be an 18 volt 8.0 Ah CAS battery normally used for my hand held power tools. Simple and clean DC power. The small 12 volt jack is currently for Trigger output using the pictured converter.

I measured 7 to 9 watts (600 to 800 ma @ 12 volts) being drawn by the MK2. Peak of 1000ma or 12 watts. I assume the amperage would be proportionally lower with 18 volts.

 

[Octaviars]

Voltage requirements always depend on amperage as well. So, if you are increasing voltage by 50% then you will need to decrease the amperage accordingly. At 18v you probably do not want more than 2A.

Higher voltage will draw less current you cant decide how much amps that will be drawn from the PSU so as long as the PSU can supply enough current it does not matter if it is bigger than needed, the connected equipment will just draw the amps it needs at that voltage.

I measured 6 to 8 watts (600 to 800 ma @ 12 volts) being drawn by the MK2. Peak of 1000ma or 12 watts. I assume the amperage would be proportionally lower with 18 volts.

I=P/U

8W/12V=0,66A
8W/18V=0,44A

Yes the amperage would be proportionally lower with 18 volts.

 

[Greg Linton]

Thanks all but my original question remains unaddressed.

My question was if 18 volts can be supplied to the MK2 instead of 12 volts. I see that the MK3 has a 9 to 24 volt range. Is the MK2 similar? The input power is labeled 12 V.