External Powering; Voltage Metering; Power Consumption; Tone Oscillator / Slate Mic - Sound Devices 552 User Manual And Technical Information

552 User Guide and Technical Information

External Powering

The 552 can be powered from any DC voltage from 10 to 18 VDC. Pin-4 of the locking, Hirose con-
nector is positive (+) and pin-1 is negative (–). The external DC supply is fully isolated (fl oating)
from the rest of the mixer for easy and safe interconnection with other external audio gear.

Voltage Metering

Press and release the Battery Check button to display the battery voltages of internal and external
power sources. The Left meter shows the internal battery voltage level; the right meter shows the
external voltage level. Because many different power sources can be used for external powering, the
external DC metering is customizable for different power sources in the Setup Menu.
The Power LED lights green for any voltage higher than the Warning Point. When the voltage level
drops to the Warning Point, the power LED illuminates yellow. When the Low Voltage point is
reached the LED fl ashes red until the power source is exhausted and unable to power the mixer.
Setting
1
2
3
4
5
Experimentation is recommended to determine battery life for each individual setup and applica-
tion.

Power Consumption

The 552 varies in the amount of current it draws. Several features of the 552 directly affect current
draw in different ways. The following list highlights the larger current drawing functions.
1. Microphone powering - the main source of extra 552 current draw. (See Phantom Power) 48 V
Phantom can draw copious amounts of current out of the batteries, depending on what model mi-
crophone is used. Two phantom powered microphones draw twice as much current as one. Micro-
phones vary widely in their current draw depending on type and phantom voltage applied.
2. Integrated Audio Recorder - the recorder, whether in record or playback, increases power consump-
tion. Turn Record Mode off in the Setup Menu when not in use to extend battery run times.
3. Digital Outputs - disable digital outputs in the Setup Menu when they are not needed since they
draw additional current.
4. Output drive level - higher output drive levels into multiple, low-impedance inputs increases power
consumption.
5. Headphone output circuit - high headphone output levels increase current draw.
6. LED Brightness - decrease LED brightness to extend battery runtime.

Tone Oscillator / Slate Mic

A single two-position switch controls both the tone oscillator and the slate microphone.
32
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
High Warning Low
Voltage Point Voltage
13.0 11.5 11.0
17.0 11.5 11.0
14.0 11.4 10.0
17.0 11.5 5.0
16.3 13.5 12.5
Power Source
12 V NiCad, NiMH.
Expanded range of setting #1
12 V Lead Acid
Full range of DC input, w/ cutoff for 12 V NiCad, etc.
14 V Li-ion rechargeables
Factory Setting