Due to the rather heavy usage of bypass capacitors in the synth and diy scene some shortcomings of commercial power supplies have come to light. The most frequent is the failure of one or both power rails to come up at power-on, caused by the initial demand of all the bypass capacitors. The power supplies sense this as an overload and shut down.

If modules were brought on-line in groups instead of all at once, the power-up surges would be limited to what the power supply can handle. Of course, once a group of modules has started, its current demands are less, allowing ample capacity for the supply to start another group of modules.

The CGS763 - Power Supply Delay does exactly that. After a predetermined time, it closes a set of relay contacts, powering the modules connected to it.

There is another advantage to doing this as well. The power supply has started and settled before modules are connected to it, giving them a cleaner power-on, and thus a cleaner reset signal for those modules that use a power supply based reset.

The delay is adjustable, so as more modules are added, extra Power Supply Delays can be added, adjusted to different times to keep the start-up load distributed.

It is better, of course, to have all Power Supply Delay boards powered directly from the power supply in a "star" configuration than to run them connected in series.

The CGS763 is fitted with 4 x Doepfer compatible* 16-way IDC boxed headers. 2 LED's provide a status of the two main power rails. Connection from the power supply to the CGS763 is via a 3-way screw terminal block. A 4-way 0.1" header is provided for systems that require to use the 5V power rail and/or the common-control-lines.

The CGS763 measures 182cm x 41cm so 2 can be fitted end-to-end along the back of a standard 19" rack providing support for up to 8 modules in a 3U section.

* Note: Some Doepfer and other 3rd-party power cables may not have their IDC sockets correctly orientated with pin 1 connected to pin 1 at both ends. Using those cables will result in failure to operate and potential damage to the module and power supply.

A LITE version of the CGS763 kit is available that allows the pcb to be used to provide an additional 4 power ports. The power to this expansion board is provided by board connector at the end of the CGS763.

The CGS763 can also be used in systems thath utilise 4-way 0.156" power connectors such as MOTM, Oakley and FracRack.