Well, mine's starting to act up. I have to unplug the adapter end and put back in very gently now.

Anyone selling an extra cord?

zuki

What kind of a profit do you think they make on these power chords. I had a quote of $165 for a power chord for my Think Pad laptop. Not nice, I did not buy it.

John C.

You might want to take your PSR to a dealer, try another PS, and see if it is the PS or the jack in your 3K before you pony up for a new PS (though a spare is never a bad idea!)...

The power supply for the PSR-3000 has an enormous number of internal components, which was surprizing. It provides a very clean 16-Volt DC signal that is highly filtered. I don't believe it is overpriced. Some of the other's I've seen are nothing more than a few diodes and a step-down transformer, and they sell for about the same price, which is way too much for what is inside.

Zuki, The problem with your system may not be the power supply at all, but instead could be related to the keyboard connector. If that connector has broken free from the small PC board it would produce the same, intermittent results. Another possibility is a cold solder joint where the connector attaches to the PC board, again producing the same results. Cold solder joints are not at all uncommon with any electronic device. Fortunately, this particular board is not that difficult to access, but you still have to know what you are doing in order to facilitate a diagnosis and repairs.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

The simple and IMO "obvious" solution to this problem is for Yamaha to build the power supply into the keyboard, and use a power chord like what you find on something like a Motif XS, or other pro workstations.

People so often complain about "weight".., ask yourself what's more important.., a good solid built in power supply that would only add a few pounds to the keyboard, or an external supply and flimsy connection ports that are more prone to breaking-thus resulting in you replacing your power supply or connection point?

One of the reasons the power supply is "external" is because there has been such a big issue about weight regarding arrangers over the years. To me it just seems more logical to put the power supply back into the keyboard with a good power chord connection. Yamaha knows you guys use the PSR-3000 for professional work. If you start asking them to put the power supply back into the keyboard, they just might do it. Just my two cents.

Squeak

Squeak, trust me, it's not weight, it's economics. It's a fraction of the cost to use a wall wart. It's done to keep the cost down.

chas

I was always told by Yamaha it's a weight issue too for the consumers.

Yea right! if they put it back inside they will lose the millions of dollars world wide on selling Ac Adapters when they eventually burn out, buy a back up, or better yet there are dealers charging extra for them on the initial purchase to the unassuming buyer.....its all about $$.

Besides allowing the instrument to weigh less, and to run cooler, an external power supply is also popular among manufacturers because:

1.Instruments sold in the global marketplace don't need to be individually configured for 120 volt or 230 volt operation. Just sold with the appropriate AC adapter.

2.The instrument itself doesn't need to be tested for compliance with electrical safety regulations. Only the adapter needs to be tested.

Ian

What needs to be developed, IMO, is a much more robust connector between the PS and keyboard. That dinky little connector looks like it was deliberately designed to fail, or do the most damage to the circuit board when inevitably knocked.

Of course, if they DO provide a stronger, proprietary connector, everyone will bitch about how hard they are to find generic replacements, or how expensive they are... What's a poor manufacturer to do...?

Well the PSR, is (even by Yamaha) considered a "home keyboard", and as long as it's under that label, they will continue to build it as such.

Would it have been so hard for Yamaha to give the upper end PSR's a decent enough connection like you find on the Tyros 2? The production cost on that jack surely wouldn't severly raise the price of the keyboard itself.

I wouldn't want them (Yamaha) to change a thing about the external power supply...I like it...it makes the keyboard lighter.

In my opinion, a "home keyboard" becomes a "pro keyboard" the moment it is used by a pro.

My early production PSR-3000 is 3 years old, played much more than if used by an average "home" user, and has given no problems regarding the power supply or connectors.

The Tyros2 connector is more robust because the power supply is built in.

Ian

In nearly three years of gigging every day with the 3000, I've never had a failure of any kind. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find even a scratch on either of the 3000s I own. Please, no pissing contests!

The power supply permits a wide range of power input, 110 to 240-volts AC. While this covers most of the bases, there are countries that still run on DC power, others run on three phase, etc., therefore the most practical method of powering a keyboard sold worldwide is by using an independent, external source.

For those that wish to be innovative, take a close look a the back of the PSR-3000 and you'll find that just beneath the area where the Video Out, Foot Pedals, etc., connections are located, there is an open space that is indented. Your power supply will fit nicely in that area and can be anchored in place with a patch of Industrial Strength Velcro. Granted, it would be nice if you could fit the supply inside the keyboar's case, but this is a close second. And, I'm also confident you will be able to find a right-angle adapter plug that will allow you to leave it plugged in place at all times, even while being transported in your gig bag. You CANNOT leave the regular plug in during transportation because it projects too far out the back and would be damaged.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary that's a good idea.

Gary, that is an ingenious idea. I will have to look if that will work with the PSR-S900.

I am very impressed with how well you take care of your keyboards. My PSR-S900 already has a scratch. I am so mad at myself.

Beakybird

IMO, pros have fewer problems with 'home' keyboards because they treat them like 'pro' keyboards.

Cases, covers (vinyl, NOT cloth!), taking care not to knock the connectors, or jerk them out of their sockets, even minor maintenance, ALL these things add up to a much more reliable piece of gear.

If you treat your arranger like a toy, it will behave like one!

Ian, I like to look at products in this scenario..

Let's say you buy a new fancy half ton pick up truck..loaded with all the bells and whistles..power everything..
If you are a weekend user and need to haul a few items from Home Depot on weekends ..it will do the job, and last a long time without problems..

Now if you are a Contractor[Pro } and use it everyday, maybe even abuse it with overloading and subject to wear and tear...sure you can still have all the bells and whistles...but this Pro would buy a 3/4 ton truck and heavy duty at that...The return will be a better serving vehicle and less problems with the common breakdowns of lighter equipment..

You can fill in the blanks of any manufacturer and the truth still holds merit..
As an example I can't believe the Roland E-50 is going to do the job day in and day out as the G70 will...The G70 is built to use professionally[as in a heavy duty 3/4 ton pick up]..compared to the intended home use of a E-50...

Fran,

I can only cite my own experiences with Yamaha PSR products.

As per what Diki said, I do treat my instruments with great care and respect.

BTW, I had a PSR-2000 before I had the 3k....same scenario...no problems.


Maybe things are different at Roland?

Ian

Ian, I was kind and used Roland as an example..

Look around..everyone I know except Gary and you are having breakdown problems on the PSR3000...Surly you did understand my truck example..

Of course I understood your truck example...it just isn't relevant in my case...I can't speak for Gary or anyone else.

Ian

Plenty of people with high end arranger problems, too, when treated and transported poorly.

I am amazed at how poor a case some folks get for an expensive, heavy TOTL arranger (if any!), or how few cover their investment in a waterproof (drink-proof!) cover.

And remember, mass makes a difference when dropped or knocked... Drop a cockroach 20ft and it will walk away like nothing happened. Drop an elephant 20ft, you got a dead elephant! Extend that analogy to keyboards and you realize how much MORE you need to protect a heavy arranger...

I think Ian has got it right... You treat a PSR good, it will hold up as well as most other arrangers. But, because of the price, FAR more PSR's sold than G70's. And FAR more PSRs are in uncaring hands than G70's. And so, FAR more problems...

It kind of makes sense...

Fran,

A real pro contractor would have put a bed liner in the truck to protect it damage and retain its value over the ensuing years. Additionally, he would likely have installed plastic floor mats to protect the carpeting, washed the truck regularly to keep the crud from erroding the paint job, done regular tuneups, oil changes, tire rotations, etc.. Then, after many years of use, that truck would be worth nearly as much as he paid for it. Wow! Ain't it amazing. Last week I couldn't spell pro--now I are one.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary ..my last new pickup, lasted 30 years before I sold the 454 engine for $500..I believe I know how to get a return...

Dito on my G1000..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 08-16-2007).]

Wow talk about a "HIJACK"

The hi-est Jack I ever met was the fellow in the seat across the aisle who had imbibed a copious amount of rye on a Canada-UK flight.

Lets see now. Zuki asks for help with a keyboard problem, a few of us try to provide some technical assistance, solutions that are viable, and may save him some money and time in the future. Squeak jumps in and begins downing Yamaha, then Fran turns it into a sarcastic pissing contest. Yep, that really makes me want to visit here on a regular basis.

See Ya!

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Well, I happened to be the problem here

Each time I pack up my adapter, I 'wrap' it up. This created a bend in the wire, which basically broke right before the black casing. I didn't notice the break until today. It was ALL my fault. I just have to reattached the wires now.

Rock on 3K I love this board

zuki

Wow Gary, I didn't see it that way..I think Zuki got the info he needed..and suggestions and views were legitimate pro and con...

I hope we do see ya...