Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
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By MPC 60 Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:16 am
My MPC 60 just came in the mail today, and it also came along with this power cable http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roland-2P-AC1-R ... f3&afsrc=1 I tried to use with an adapter no luck at all :WTF: its a 100v japan model and in the description of the item it stated it is working. What possibly could have gone wrong? Do you think I messed it up while using an adapter? Please help! Thanks
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By MPC 60 Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:26 am
I live in Australia and the adapter was for plugging it in the socket to get power.
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By SimonInAustralia Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:29 am
You have blown the power supply, hopefully just fuses.

Our mains power supply in Australia is 230VAC/50Hz, in Japan it is 100VAC/60Hz and 50Hz...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_elec ... by_country

You need to use a stepdown transformer, to convert from 240VAC/50Hz to 100VAC/60Hz or 50Hz, not just a simple adapter to make the plug fit.

These older MPCs did not have auto-switching power supplies like most modern gear, there are different models for the different regions they were originally sold in, with different internal power supplies, that operate at different mains AC voltages/frequencies.

If not using a stepdown transformer at the moment, you need to open it up and replace the blown fuses, then use a stepdown transformer when you try to power it up again.

When buying gear from overseas, you need to check the power supply specifications, to make sure it will operate at 230V/50Hz, before plugging it in.
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By MPC 60 Fri Dec 27, 2013 10:38 am
I have never dealt with power supply's before, if its not a hassle could you tell me how to do it or link me to a guide? The step down transformers I found on eBay are 240v-110v, these would still work won't they? Thanks
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By SimonInAustralia Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:05 am
Download the MPC60 Service Manual.

Page 8 shows the 4 screws underneath that you remove to open the front panel.

The Connection Diagram lists the necessary fuse values for each region model, I assume yours is J, should show a J in a small box on the rear panel next to the "MODEL NUMBER MPC60" label.

The power supply is in the rear right corner of the MPC.

You need to check the 4 power supply fuses, F1/F2/F3/F4, and replace any that are blown.

Mains power can kill you, make sure it is unplugged from the power before you touch anything inside. Careful touching parts in the power supply area, even with the power unplugged, a capacitor can still hold a decent charge and give you a good whack if you touch the terminals.


Look harder for a 240-100V stepdown transformer, specifically for Japanese appliances, there are some on eBay, or in a Google search.

You only need a smaller/cheaper one, the MPC60 power consumption is rated at 30W for the Japanese model, so you only need something a bit larger than that, some room for power loss in the transformer, enough watts to account for the different voltages, so something in the 240VAC/100W range should be fine.
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By MPC 60 Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:38 am
Thanks for the help Simon, I found the problem and if it's possible could this thread be deleted by the moderators or the administrator, thanks.
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By MPC 60 Tue Dec 31, 2013 10:04 am
So I just found out that I blew one of the fuses in my mpc 60, I took the fuse out but I'm pretty sure you can't just put any fuse in there it has to be the same value around the metal ring of the fuse. Image
this is the writing around the metal ring. Also, it's a 100v Japanese model mpc 60.
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By *Pilchard* Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:14 pm
You got it. That would be a 1.6 amp fuse.
Either one marked 120v or 240v (230v) will be suitable.
Without seeing a picture of it I would guess it's a 20mm glass fuse (probably quick blow or fast acting), available all over the web or from your local electronics store.
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By MPC 60 Wed Jan 01, 2014 2:15 am
It's actually 250v. Also, I blew the f1 fuse, I checked and all of the fuses are 250v, I don't know if this information will be of much help. How can I tell if it's a quick blow or fast acting fuse?
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By SimonInAustralia Wed Jan 01, 2014 2:50 am
Fuse values from page 9 of MPC60 Schematic Diagrams and PC Boards manual, on the MPC60 Connection Diagram.

The letter code(s) (J / A,C / E,V,B,S), which indicate the primary destination(s) of the MPC60, can be found next to the "MODEL NUMBER MPC60" label on the rear panel.


J (Japan)
F1 1.6A 250V
F2 3.15A 250V
F3 800mA 250V
F4 800mA 250V

A,C (USA/Canada)
F1 1.25A 125V
F2 3.15A 125V
F3 1A 125V
F4 1A 125V

E,V,B,S (Europe-except UK/W.Germany only/UK/Australia)
F1 T500mA 250V
F2 T2.5A 250V
F3 T500mA 250V
F4 T500mA 250V
* T=Time-Delay (slow blow)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_(electrical)#Rated_voltage
Rated voltage

Voltage rating of the fuse must be greater than or equal to what would become the open circuit voltage. For example, a glass tube fuse rated at 32 volts would not reliably interrupt current from a voltage source of 120 or 230 V. If a 32 V fuse attempts to interrupt the 120 or 230 V source, an arc may result. Plasma inside that glass tube fuse may continue to conduct current until current eventually so diminishes that plasma reverts to an insulating gas. Rated voltage should be larger than the maximum voltage source it would have to disconnect. Rated voltage remains same for any one fuse, even when similar fuses are connected in series. Connecting fuses in series does not increase the rated voltage of the combination (nor of any one fuse).

Medium-voltage fuses rated for a few thousand volts are never used on low voltage circuits, because of their cost and because they cannot properly clear the circuit when operating at very low voltages.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_(electrical)#Speed
Speed

The speed at which a fuse blows depends on how much current flows through it and the material of which the fuse is made. The operating time is not a fixed interval, but decreases as the current increases. Fuses have different characteristics of operating time compared to current, characterized as fast-blow, slow-blow, or time-delay, according to time required to respond to an overcurrent condition. A standard fuse may require twice its rated current to open in one second, a fast-blow fuse may require twice its rated current to blow in 0.1 seconds, and a slow-blow fuse may require twice its rated current for tens of seconds to blow.

Fuse selection depends on the load's characteristics. Semiconductor devices may use a fast or ultrafast fuse as semiconductor devices heat rapidly when excess current flows. The fastest blowing fuses are designed for the most sensitive electrical equipment, where even a short exposure to an overload current could be very damaging. Normal fast-blow fuses are the most general purpose fuses. The time delay fuse (also known as anti-surge, or slow-blow) are designed to allow a current which is above the rated value of the fuse to flow for a short period of time without the fuse blowing. These types of fuse are used on equipment such as motors, which can draw larger than normal currents for up to several seconds while coming up to speed.