Wall wart for Sound Devices died. Beware!

[Sonic Lush]

Last night I'm all set up to do a live four track recording.

I get the SD 744T plugged in, powered up, all set up--

go get a coffee and come back and find the power turned off.

hmmm.

Every time I powered it up it kept shutting off immediately.

hmmmm!

I didn't immediately notice the little yellow light indicating a charge occurring, was in fact NOT occurring.

The battery was nearly dead, and the

AC wall wart was dead too.

My SD and wall wart are almost five years old.

And no, I don't have an extra battery.

I always thought even if the battery was good but dead, I'd be ok with good AC.

unless the wall wart dies.

Naturally, I didn't bring a back up recorder as the SD is bulletproof.

lesson learned.

Just a heads-up to all you Remotesters who are still using the old Sound Devices
power supply marked:

XL-WPH

SD says that this wall wart can be prone to sudden death. (So they've heard)

they are now using the redesigned XL-WPH2, which uses a block with an IEC cable that senses voltage and can be used globally with the correctly terminated IEC cable.

walt

[MichaelPatrick]

Fortunately I have two of them (for one recorder) plus a spare battery.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Sound Sorcerer]

I'm sorry to hear about you ordeal. I've always used external NP1 batteries for my SD recorder, leaving the onboard one just as a backup...

[Sonic Lush]

see?
maybe I should hire you guys to do my remotes... ;-)

[Remoteness]

Lessons learned -- food for thought.

Now, you're an expert about the subject.

[rstreber]

Funny, I've gone through three power supplies now for my 702 in the 2.5 years I've had it, and the last one died at a gig too. Of course I also didn't have a backup battery and also didn't notice all throughout the setup and dress-rehearsal that the psu had died. I ended up missing the last couple of minutes of the concert because the battery died. Luckily, it was an informal event with friends so no one cared too much about the missed material, but as you say - lesson learned.

Those power supplies are the only thing about the SD 7-series recorders that I've been frustrated with. The recorders are indeed bullet-proof, but the power-supplies don't seem to be up to the challenge.

[Chris Wilson]

Originally Posted by rstreber

Funny, I've gone through three power supplies now for my 702 in the 2.5 years I've had it

Holy Smokes! Three $75 power cords? compared to that, Sonic Lush got off easy!

[skiltrip]

Unfortunately, any and all power supplies can be subject to sudden death, or sudden malfunction, especially if they are brought around remotely. Some places electrical system is more stable/regulated than others.

I work with Audio-Visual systems as my day job, and the power supplies for Polycom Vortex teleconferences units drop like flies all the time. I keep 4 or 5 in stock at all times, cause when they go, they just go.

And a lot of Extron audio/video switching gear does the same thing. Even the units with internal power supplies go a lot.

I think it's a lot to do with Chinese (or other foreign country) made stuff and lack of quality control.

But, yes, when backups are available, have them with you. Bring a plan C, D, and E if you can.

[loujudson]

The GOOD thing is, they will work with any strong DC supply - if you make an adaptor to th oridinary DC plug you can get at Rat shack... But until I get one set up, I'll be carrying batteries sifficient for the duration of the gig just in case. And CHRAGE them first!

Lou