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.

 

[Phill r]

The zen mini psu puts out 16v so maybe 18 is a bit hot

 

[Stephen Healy]

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.

Yes, the MkII is similar in that our LPSU can power both of these devices despite a range in voltage output. So you can certainly give it a try, but again I can't account for third-party power supplies so this is very much a 'YMMV'.

 

[Greg Linton]

Yes, the MkII is similar in that our LPSU can power both of these devices despite a range in voltage output. So you can certainly give it a try, but again I can't account for third-party power supplies so this is very much a 'YMMV'.

I might just had a few 3 amp diodes in series to drop the voltage or a small 5 amp converter. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Greg Linton]

The zen mini psu puts out 16v so maybe 18 is a bit hot

I actually applied the battery voltage of 19 + volts by mistake. It worked. I did not leave it though.

 

[Greg Linton]

Update. Using the 12 volt voltage converter worked. I however wasn’t really pleased with the setup. The battery holder was really cheap and the battery itself would drain after a few hours meaning charging needed to be monitored. I also needed to incorporate an inline or mounted fuse at the battery holder and ideally one at the switch box.

I stumbled across a much simpler and cleaner solution ( pending testing).

NEEWER V Mount Battery PS099EP 6800mAh 99Wh​

I found a battery used by photographers with multiple voltages and outputs - including a 12 volt DC barrel connector. There are two USB C connections that output up to 20 volts. One can be used for charging simultaneously when discharging on the other outputs. I ordered a

NFHK Type C USB-C Input to 20V DC 5.5x2.5mm Output Power 100W 135W 140W 65W PD Charging Cable for Laptop​

I was really curious how the smart USB-C port would react. I needed at least 18 Volts for the ProJect preamp. It worked. 20 volts supply.
Included is a wonderful display showing voltages and current on all IO’s.

All for under 100€.

 

[Phill r]

I actually applied the battery voltage of 19 + volts by mistake. It worked. I did not leave it though.

The pulse mini will accept 16-24v and I use a pimped zen mini psu uprated to 22v.. it sounds better than 16v but no idea why!!