Matrix Orbital Corp

I just recieved my VK204-24-USB and after reading the attached flyer in the box (DO NOT USE AN UNMODIFIED FLOPPY POWER CABLE, it says) and the online PDF docs for the VK-204-24-USB, I am a bit confused as to how I should power my unit.

It will connect to the motherboard using an internal USB cable from the VFD to the USB header on the motherboard. I'll look up the current specs for that supply. However, I would like the VFD to come on when the system is powered on, and not stay off until the OS is booted. Does this mean I need to power the thing from its external power input?

Does this mean I can plug in a standard 3.5"Floppy power connector into that 4 pin header on the VFD - UNMODIFIED (contrary to the flyer in the box)?

Does this mean I must do the soldering work described in the manual to solder jumper 1 and remove jumper 2? Exactly what is jumper 1 and 2 - hard to know for sure in the picture, since a jumper is usually a non-solder job. Is jumper 2 the grey SMD resistor in the picture? Is jumper 1 connecting the two through-holes on the right side of the image in the manual designated as 1 (Figure 5)?

Hello...

Sorry for the confusion...I'll have to look into shipping... For the VK204-24-USB you must apply an unmodified floppy power cable to the white connector on the PCB for power and the internal USB for communication on the designated connector. The reason for this is because of the amount of inrush current required at start-up. As for the manual referring to the solder jumps that are required, please ignore these instructions as we are currently updating the manual. One thing I would like to clarify is that you should already have PS (pic 1) soldered when you received your unit. Can you tell me whether your unit has the solder jump as shown in pic2? If it does, I need you to remove it...If unsure please post and we will set up pictures on the forum!!

Ok, I took it out of the baggie, looked at it and compared whats in the pictures of the manual (fig 5, pdf document pg 11).

Now I know what you mean by jumper.

The solder area below the sideways U (fig 5 right image) is split open on my VK-204-24-USB. The solder area below the letters PS is one solid solder blob (ie connected) on my VK-204-24-USB.
(it would help having a red arrow in the image pointing at the 'jumper' - as its not clear what to look for until you see one thats 'open')

So, as I see this, the unit is already configured to draw power from the white 4pin PS connector.

What I thus need to do is only plug in a standard UNMODIFIED, as it comes out of the powersupply 3.5" floppy power cable into that white connector.

For my own piece of mind - I would like to know, on the white connector - which pin is 1 and which is 4 - there is no indication on the PCB or connector - and I'd like to make sure the yellow and red wires are plugged in the right way visually in addition to relying on the keyed plug.

If I can read the letters PS (they are right side up) - the white key-area that sticks up on the connector is at the bottom. Is pin 1 on the left or right end ( pin 1 receives the yellow 12v cable, right)?

Thomas

It goes as follows with PS being right side up...


(+12V) (Grnd) (Grnd) (+5V)