Tiptop Audio uzeus User manual

TM
ZEUS Series:
microZEUS with
Flying Bus Boards

TM
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
The uZEUS is a 4HP power supply module for Eurorack format synthesizers.
This version comes with two (2) ying bus boards that are already attached to
the module. An additional connection is available on the uZEUS for attaching
an extra ying bus board if needed. The ying bus boards use a keyed
connector, ensuring that module power cables can only be connected in the
correct position.
When ordering your uZeus make sure to order a power adapter that ts your
country’s power plug. These adapters are usually oered along side the uZeus
by the shops carrying them in your country.
Connecting the uZEUS:
First, attach your uZEUS to your system. It can be placed in any position along
the rails, but it is strongly recommended that it be placed on the rightmost
edge of your case.
Next, plug the wall adapter in to your mains supply and insert the barrel plug
into the uZEUS. Once connected, turn the switch to the ‘ON’ position and make
sure all three (3) blue lights are illuminated.
If for any reason, one or all of them are not illuminated then immediately turn
the switch to the‘OFF’ position.
Check all of your connections before continuing. Is the uZEUS in contact with
another object? Are all of the modules plugged in properly?
Once you have successfully powered your uZEUS, all you have left to do now
is play!
It is important to note that the front panel of the uZEUS may get very warm.
Please do not be alarmed as this is normal and is part of the standard operation
of the uZEUS, more on that in the next pages, please continue reading.
WARNING: The internal components of the uZEUS can get
very hot. Do not touch the internal components while the
uZEUS is connected and/or powered.

TM
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
Tiptop Audio has the following recommendations for connecting your
modules and using your uZEUS:
The uZEUS is designed to power systems ranging from 3U to 6U of 84HP of
mixed analog and digital modules. As you keep adding modules to your system
beyond 3U x 84HP we recommend a simple test that will help you protect your
uZeus and adapter from mistakenly getting overloaded and eventually failing.
To do so check the heat of your uZeus face plate and the power adapter roughly
10 minutes after power up. If they become almost too hot to the touch then you
are overloading one of them and this will cause them to fail. Please remove a few
modules and test again, repeating until they are reasonably but not burning hot.
Please note: the uZeus was designed to be mounted on metal rails with good
heat transfer such as Tiptop Z-Rails. Do not install the uZeus directly to wood or
any other ammable material, this will cause the uZeus to overheat.
To insure long life for the power supply, you should be aware of the total power
consumption of your system. This is determined by adding together the amount
of current used by each of your modules. Please refer to the power consumption
gures provided by your modules’ manufacturer(s). Please note, digital modules
are usually by far more demanding than analog modules.
To avoid crosstalk, it is recommended that High current-drawing modules like
digital and DSP modules, VCOs and sound/noise generators should not all be
plugged into a single bus board. For modules that are placed next to the uZEUS
and have more than one circuit board and may block the ying bus boards, take
advantage of the ribbon cables exibility and route it around the module. The
bus boards were designed with this consideration in mind.
Wall Adapter Information:
The Tiptop wall adapter supplied with the Happy Ending kit is rated 1000mA and
must be kept at that limit, it is a starter power supply and is not meant for
powering large systems beyond a Happy Ending Kit. Higher power adapters can
be used as long as you carefully keep checking how hot the uZeus
face plate gets as recommended above. The uZeus uses
15VDC adapters with 2.5mm barrel jack center pin positive.
Ownesr of uZeus bought after Janurary 2017 please skip this page

TM
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
Wall Adapter Information
The uZEUS is designed to power systems ranging from 3U to 6U of 84HP with
mixed analog and digital modules. Please make sure to use ocial Tiptop power
adapter as these adapters are specially made to attain the best uZEUS
performance and provide maximum power rating.
As of January 2017, the Tiptop wall adapter supplied with the Happy Ending Kit
are switch-mode type rated at1000mA. These adapters have internal overload
protection which will cause the lights on the uZEUS to ash in case the adapter
is overloaded. Please note that although the adapter is rated at 1000ma modules
with high capacitive load will exceed their published power rating on power up.
When those spikes in current add up this might trigger the overload protection
of this power adapter model. To keep expanding your system we recommend
the larger and more powerful uZeus Boost adapter.
Notes:
Please note: the uZeus is designed to be mounted on metal rails with good
heat transfer such as Tiptop Z-Rails. Do not install the uZeus directly to wood or
any other ammable material, this will cause the uZeus to overheat.
To avoid crosstalk, it is recommended that High current-drawing modules like
digital and DSP modules, VCOs and sound/noise generators should not all be
plugged into a single bus board. For modules that are placed next to the uZEUS
and have more than one circuit board and may block the ying bus boards, take
advantage of the ribbon cables exibility and route it around the module. The
bus boards were designed with this consideration in mind.
This page is for uZeus owners with ocial Tiptop adapters bought
after January 2017

TM
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
Using the –12V Rail:
The –12V rail uses a switching regulator. This switching regulator needs to have
a minimum load of 100mA (out of 500mA) at any given time. The uZEUS has a
factory setting to self consume this current. If your uZEUS is powering more
than four (4) analog modules you can then disable this setting if desired to
make this 100mA available for use by your modules.
With the uZEUS powered o, look for header J7 (located below the blue
resistor) and remove the jumper. Re-insert the jumper such that it comes in
contact with only one pin. Once reinstalled in the system, the uZEUS will
provide the full 500mA of –12V power for your modules.
J7
Additional Flying Bus Board Port

TM
Zeus Series: microZEUS with Flying Bus Boards
Creating Longer Bus Boards:
The Flying Bus Boards were designed for standard 19” (84HP) racks. If it becomes
necessary to extend your Flying Bus Boards, the process is simple: purchase
another Flying Bus Board and connect the female end to the last male connector
on the existing Flying Bus Board.
Adding More Power Connectors:
If it becomes necessary to add more power connectors
purchase another Flying Bus Board and install it on the
additional port as shown in the picture (right).
Please note: As you keep adding more modules to your
system make sure to monitor the heat of the uZeus face
plate and the power adapter so to not overheat them
as they might get damage if overloaded.