Overhub PSU?

Be careful about some power adapters being advertised as the correct one when they may NOT be exactly the right plug size!

The Elektron Overhub manual states:

Power Supply not included. Bus power from the computer host is suffcient to power 7 Overbridge devices.

Should you need to power a USB drive or charge an MP3 player you need an AC adapter (not included). Compatible power supply: 5 VDC 3A Connector 3,5 x 1,35 mm, center pin positive.

So, I ordered this adapter:

In the Q&A section, the manufacturer claimed it was the correct size DC plug: 3.5mm x 1.35mm. However, this was not true. The plug did not fit the Overhub DC jack. I had to return it, and luckily had no issues with the return process.

Question:

The 3.5mm is the external size of the plug right? And the 1.35mm is the internal?

Answer:

Yes,

3.5mm OD x 1.35mm ID

This answer was probably a mistake on the part of whoever at the company fielded the question.

Could you please link me to a PSU available for order in Switzerland? I can’t find any on Amazon :frowning: Can’t believe a PSU wasn’t provided, I have 5 more non-Elektron devices to connect to my Overhub.

Hi guys can I use one of these two PS for Overhub without harming my hardware/synths?

I know it can support 7 devices but I’m already having another (powered) USB bay and I don’t want to put my Macbook Pro under heavy power load it drains the battery so fast otherwise (and would it be risky?).

Manual says “Compatible power supply: 5 VDC 3A Connector 3,5 x 1,35 mm, center pin positive.” but I have no idea what it means.

  1. https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/d-link-5v-3a-power-adapter-network-accessories-10144504

  2. https://www.distrelec.ch/en/power-supply-5v-3a-nordic-power-am-04151a-5v/p/16968806

Why didn’t you provide a PS now I’m confused and prefer not to use the OH until a PS is found.

Most Amazon products are not being shipped to Switzerland so a suitable alternative would be otherwise welcome.

Thank you.

The 3.5mm relates to the size of the plug that goes into overdub or whatever else you’re powering. Centre point positive relates to the polarity of the plug. 5v is the secondary voltage at the plug and 3a is the maximum current the psu can supply.

Can’t see a physical size quoted for the plug on the first item or it’s polarity. Second item has a reversible plug so polarity is covered but the plug size quoted is wrong. You can usually pick up psu’s That have multiple plugs and you choose the size that fits

Okay thank you for the explanation. I will try to get one of those with multiple plug sizes and appropriate polarity. Now these are extremely hard to find especially now even online (Amazon won’t ship most of these electrical appliances to Switzerland even in non-Corona times), and Elektron doesn’t even provide an official PSU as accessory to buy for an already overpriced and poorly designed USB bay (but no choice because multi TT). It’s really unbelievable and I’m surprised considering the company standards.

Thanks a lot again.

1 Like

hei spnc, i got the same problem, also in switzerland! do you have found a fitting psu in the meantime? i bought one with multiple plugs but the right plug doesnt fit right, its too long :S

Same, here.

Just order a bunch of correct PSU’s, slap “OVERPOWER” on them and sell them, Elektron.

The people are waving cash at you.

2 Likes

The new Overhub (Black/White) has a 5V4A power supply, the old one had 5V3A.
It’s such a bummer that they don’t include a PSU with the Overhub.

2 Likes

how come the overhub can’t be bus powered via usb c? would very much like to use less cables than necessary

Just ordered a couple of these - seem to fit the bill on paper:

Anyone know what’s the point of having a power supply anyway while you can just power it through USB?

to avoid a friedcircuit :wink:

there’s finite power available from a given computer usb port (and will generally be low, typically 0.5>1.0 amps would be my guess)

that’s enough to comfortably power the hub and support a few peripherals, but it may not be enough if an unpowered device requires more current than the port can supply or if multiple single devices do

4 Likes

As per the manual:

Bus power from the computer host is suffcient to power 7 Overbridge devices. Should you need to power a USB drive or charge an MP3 player you need an AC adapter

So basically, if you connect something that already has its own power supply (like most synths), you don’t need to connect the OverHub to a PSU. However if you connect something that draws all of its power from USB (like hard drives), you’ll probably need a PSU as your computer’s USB port might not provide enough power for OverHub and the other device(s)

4 Likes

Thanks guys! This helps :+1:

The rev2 Overhub wants 4amps, up from 3amps. Anyone find a suitable power supply for the rev2 Overhub yet?

Also, anyone know how much power draw iLok key devices need?

I’ve noticed that my Model:Samples PSU fits perfectly with my Overhub power needs (except for the 3A) , has anyone tried this?

Thank you very much for this! I just placed an order for it, since I just ordered the Overhub. Strange by Elektron to not include it in a more expensive version of the overhub, I would have paid extra for less hassle and a guarantee.

yes you are right - its 5V 4A even in the product screenshots

Source

1 Like

Get a USB to type H coaxial barrel power adapter cable, plug it into a phone charger and off you go. Just make sure that the power output of your charger is at least 2A, most chargers that come with tablets or large phones (physically large, ones that have large batteries) have an output of 2A or more. I bought my adapter from a thrift store for a quarter, you can also find these on amazon or whatever. If you want to go full engineer mode on that, buy a type H plug, a foot of cable, take a phone charger apart and solder one end of that cable to the charger’s PCP board right where the USB female socket is connected. Don’t forget to make sure that the plus goes into the inner conductor of your coaxial plug.

Guys… Let’s be real. The lack of Overhub powersupply is RIDICULOUS. Not only does it not come with one, it has the most HARD TO FIND specs of any power supply one can find.

I’m aware there are two different Overhub units out there (for whatever reason). Each has a slightly different power supply. The one with the red lettering is 5 VDC 3 A and the one with the white lettering is 5 VDC 4 A (3.5x1.35 mm center pin positive). Go ahead and copy and paste those specs into Google and see what pops up. Jack shit.

Supposedly the Overhub can operate with no power if powered units are connected (I have the analog rytm mk ii and the digitone). Fine, except that I routinely get messages from the Overbridge engine that the connection between it and one of the units has been lost. I didn’t have this problem when I directly connected each unit to a USB port on my PC. So, my assumption is that maybe it’s a power issue. Except no power supply exists with these exact specs.

Beyond frustrated about this. Anybody found a solution?

1 Like