bEFACO 7U Case 104HP 7U Eurorack Case User Manual

bEFACO 7U Case 104HP 7U Eurorack Case

Product Information

The 7U Case is a 104HP 7U Eurorack case equipped with a powerful power supply. It features an anti-vandalic power button, a 2.5mm power barrel connector, USB-A charging and host ports, MIDI In/Out/Thru connectors, Jack 6,3 TRS I/O connectors, balanced and unbalanced connectors for jacks, and an internal Type-A USB socket for various external connections.

Reference Rear Panel Overview:

1. Anti-Vandalic Power Button
2. 2.5mm Power Barrel Connector
3. USB-A Charging and Host Ports:
   • The top port supports charging (not Apple devices) and data through the 1×4 USB Host Internal connector (18).
   • The bottom port works as a charging port only and supports Apple devices.
4. USB Device Type-B Connector
5. MIDI In/Out/Thru Connectors
6. Jack 6,3 TRS I/O Connectors
7. 2×3 Balanced Shrouded Connector for Jacks 1, 2
8. 2×3 Balanced Shrouded Connector for Jacks 3, 4
9. 2×3 Balanced Shrouded Connector for Jacks 5, 6
10. 1×3 Unbalanced Connector for Jacks 1, 2
11. 1×3 Unbalanced Connector for Jacks 3, 4
12. 1×3 Unbalanced Connector for Jacks 5, 6
13. Internal Type-A USB Socket: This port allows you to connect USB modules to the outside world and supports various functionalities like module upgrades, MIDI under USB, and USB hub connectivity.
14. 2×5 Balanced Connector for Jacks 1, 2, 3, 4
15. 2×5 Connector for MIDI DIN In, Out, and Thru Ports plus USB Type B Device
16. 1×3 Connector for MIDI DIN Out Port
17. Internal Type-A USB Socket: The device plugged here sends its signal through the USB Device Type-B connector (4) if selected via the source switch (17).
18. USB Device Type-B Source Switch: Selects the source of the USB Device signal that will be sent through the USB Type-B connector between the signal from the 2×5 MIDI connector (14) and the signal from the Internal Type-A USB socket (16).
19. 1×4 USB Host Connector: Internally connected to the upper USB-A charging port (3)
20. Eurorack Power Connectors

Product Usage Instructions

1. Before connecting any module to the case, plug in the provided power brick and power up the case.
2. Check that the four status LEDs of the Trolley Bus (+12V, -12V, and 5V) are brightening.
3. Use only the provided power brick.
4. If everything is fine, power off the case.
5. Start connecting modules one-on-one and switch the power on/off each time.
6. Ensure that the empty spaces of the case are covered with blind panels to prevent objects like cables from falling inside.
7. For MIDI connections, use the MIDI In/Out/Thru connectors on the rear panel.
8. For USB connections, utilize the USB-A charging and host ports, USB Device Type-B connector, and Internal Type-A USB socket.
9. The USB Device Type-B source switch allows you to select the source of the USB Device signal.
10. The 2×5 connector on the rear panel is compatible with modules like the IntellijelTM MIDI 1U.
11. Be cautious when connecting modules in both MIDI connectors simultaneously, as it may cause unexpected problems in MIDI signals.

INSTALLATION

Before connecting any module to the case, plug the power brick, power up the case, and check that the four status LEDs of the Trolley Bus (+12V, -12V, and 5V) are brightening. Use the provided power-brick only.
If everything is fine, power off the case and start connecting modules one-on- one switch the power on/off each time. As the internal boards have sensitive areas, be sure to cover the empty spaces of the case with blind panels to avoid problems caused by objects like cables falling inside.

INTRODUCTION

The Befaco 7U Case is a 104HP 7U Eurorack case equipped with our latest and more powerful power supply: Trolley Bus, providing up to 5000mA of power on the +12V rail, 2500mA on -12V and 4000mA on the 5V rail. Its rear panel counts with a selection of useful connectors ready to use with your favorite 1U modules (IntellijelTM compatible).
The case also counts some extra features like a Vesa 100 mount adaptor, a PET-G clear protective cover, and a Kensington lock.

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW

1. Anti-Vandalic Power Button

2. 2.5mm Power Barrel Connector

3. USB-A charging and Host Ports.
   The top port supports charging (not Apple devices) and data through the 1×4 USB Host Internal connector (18).
   The bottom port works as a charging port only, but supporting also Apple devices.

4. USB Device Type-B connector.

5. MIDI In/Out/Thru connectors.

6. Jack 6,3″ TRS I/O connectors.

7. 2×3 balanced shrouded connector for Jacks 1, 2.

8. 2×3 balanced shrouded connector for Jacks 3, 4.

9. 2×3 balanced shrouded connector for Jacks 5, 6.

10. 1×3 unbalanced connector for Jacks 1, 2.

11. 1×3 unbalanced connector for Jacks 3, 4.

12. 1×3 unbalanced connector for Jacks 5, 6.

13. 2×5 balanced connector for Jacks 1, 2, 3, 4.

14. 2×5 connector for MIDI DIN In, Out and Thru ports plus USB Type B Device.

15. 1×3 connector for MIDI DIN Out port.

16. Internal Type-A USB socket.
    The device plugged here sends its signal through the USB Device Type-B connector (4) if selected via the source switch (17).
    Internal Type-A USB socket. This port has infinite uses, allowing you to connect your USB modules to the outside world. Modules upgrades, MIDI under USB, maybe a USB HUB, and so on.

17. USB Device Type-B source switch.
    Selects the source of the USB Device signal that will be sent through the USB Type-B connector between the signal from the 2×5 MIDI connector (14) and the signal from the Internal
    Type-A USB socket (16).

18. 1×4 USB Host connector.
    Internally connected to the upper USB-A charging port (3)

19. Eurorack power connectors.

POWER SYSTEM

The case counts with our latest and most sophisticated power solution: Trolley Bus. Located under the bottom row, the bus has 28 slots for Eurorack modules powered by four high-quality DC-DC converters.
Its +12V rail is divided into two independent sections (top and bottom), providing each up to 2500mA. It allows you to keep sensitive modules isolated and enhances the voltage stability under load.
Both the -12V and 5V rails are common for the entire bus board and provide up to 2500mA and 4000mA respectively.

REAR CONNECTORS

A large variety of 1U modules can be internally connected to the onboard case connectors, saving space on the rig and adding flexibility to the system. The internal I/O Board is specially designed to route audio and digital signals between the modules and your external devices.
Before making any connection, please refer to your module User Manual first.

6,35mm JACK I/O PORTS

An easy example of this task would be our 1U Out module. It can send its balanced outputs through a pair of the rear Jack connectors of the case. To do that, just connect both ends of a 2×3 ribbon cable (included with the module) to either the 2×3 back connector of the module or the 2×3 balanced connector on the I/O Board related to the pair of Jacks you want to use (see the diagram at page 2).
The same procedure works for the rest of the connectors we will see below. Just be sure you are using the correct cable, and always check the orientation in your module User Manual.
Unbalanced signals are available at the 1×3 board connectors (10, 11, and 12). The 2×5 connector located between the Jack ports (13) carries the balanced signal of the first four Jack ports (1-4).

MIDI DIN PORTS

• The rear panel MIDI Din ports can be accessed from two connectors on the I/O Board. The first one (15), connects directly to the MIDI Out port through a 1×3 pin connector.
• The second one (14), connects all MIDI Ports plus the USB Device (4) through a 2×5 connector. This connector is fully compatible with modules like the IntellijelTM MIDI 1U.
• Be aware that as both connectors share a port (MIDI Out), having two modules connected in both connectors simultaneously could generate unexpected problems in your MIDI signals.

USB DEVICE

• The case counts with a USB Device Type B that can be used to have a direct connection through the case to the computer. It can receive its signal from two sources: the 2×5 MIDI connector (14) or the Internal USB Type-A socket (17). The source can be selected with the source switch located on the board (17).
• Some examples of modules that can be used with these connections would be the MIDI 1U (using the 2×5 connector) or our future Midi Thing 2 (using the Internal USB Type-A socket).

USB HOST
The top USB-A charging port (3) can also be used as a USB Host port. The connector provides power (4000mA max current) and data transfer to the external device. The USB Host signal is accessible through the board 1×4 USB Host connector (18).

Both USB-A ports work as charging ports for external devices with up to 4000 mA of power delivered. The bottom port is also Apple compatible, allowing to charge Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. Be aware that the zone under the converters can be hot under heavy current loads.

1U ROW

• The case allows you to customize the 1U row and place it in the center. To do that, unscrew the double rail of the 1U row, extract it, and screw it using the two free holes at the center of the case.
• Don’t screw it entirely. Leave it with some slack. Attach a module to align the rails. Now you can screw it firmly.

Take special care with the operation to avoid scratches. Any damage is at your own risk.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• External Dimensions (without cover): 53.5cms x 31cms x 8cms
• External Dimensions (with cover): 53.5cms x 31cms x 14cms
• Internal Row Dimensions: 2x 3U 104HP and 1x 1U 104HP (Intellijel format)
• Threaded strip: M3, for metrical 3mm screws.
• Power supply Specifications: +12V: 5000mA, -12V: 2500mA, 5V: 4000mA
• Module Depth: 53mm (power supply side), 70mm (rest of the case)
• Module Slots: 36
• Weight (without cover): 2.6kg
• Weight (with cover): 3.4kg
• Rear connectors: 6x 6’35mm Jack I/O (Balanced or Unbalanced), MIDI DIN In/Out/Thru, USB Device Type B, Apple compatible USB-A charging ports.
• Power brick: 135W 2.5mm Barrel connector center positive (included)
• Cover: PET-G Clear cover (included)
• Finish: Black Anodised Aluminum
• Vesa 100 format threads. Recommended Vesa stand: >12kg
• Kensington Lock

MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Never use aggressive cleaners in your modular case. Remove dust, dirt and fingerprints with a soft and dry cloth. More persistent dirt can be removed with a damp cloth using only water. Disconnect the AC adapter while doing this. Reconnect them when your modular synth is safely dry.

DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

This symbol means that the product or its packaging should not be disposed of with your other household waste. It is your responsibility to dispose of your waste separately from the municipal waste stream.

More information and support.
befaco.org/befaco_7u_case

References

• Befaco 7U Case - Befaco
• Befaco 7U Case - Befaco

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