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Weird Firewire/thunderbolt RME 400 problem. Someone help?

almix12

almix12

Apr 3, 2008
542
3
#1
Hello all!

So I have a RME Fireface 400 audio interface that can be either powered by either of the two FW 400 ports, or a power adapter.
I was exclusively using FW400 until I upgraded my laptop and now am running a thunderbolt adapter to FW800 and then a FW800-400 cable to the audio interface. Something to do with the thunderbolt part of the chain makes it so it can no longer be powered by the computer. It flashes intermittently. So, naturally I've been using the AC adapter.

Unfortunately that has now stopped working and it's very hard and expensive and a 2 month wait for a RME 12V 2.0A replacement.
So I thought <hey why not just get a 3rd party replacement> which is what I'm working on now, but then I had another thought!

It has 2 firewire 400 ports. Can I use an AC firewire 400 adapter to power it, while using the other 400 port to plug into my computer via the thunderbolt adapter? Something like this: Invalid Link Removed

Anybody know if that would work?

Many thanks!
Alex
 
#3
I'd try another AC adapter first. It seems like the Fireface 400 needs 12 watts of power and can accept anything between 8 and 28 volts DC. A typical 12V DC wall wart delivering at least 1A should work. Lots of computer equipment use these kind of adapters, so check your closet. Verify that the polarity is the same as the stock one before plugging in.

I wouldn't use that USB-to-FW400 adapter. USB ports cannot deliver as much voltage/current as FW ports. Some of the (mostly negative) reviews mention fried USB ports because of overloading.
 
#4
Very good to know. Thanks for that. I've scoured my closets and parent's drawers and found nothing that exactly fits the bill.
Though I haven't considered going outside the 12V voltage range. I have a 15V 3800mA adapter... Would that work? I feel like it's overpowering.
Once again, many thanks for your reply :}
 
#5
Invalid Link Removed of the Fireface 400 on the RME website says 8-28 volts DC or 8-20V AC. If your unit says the same, go for it. The 15V/3800mA adapter can be used as long as the plug fits and the polarity matches. The Fireface draws what's needed to operate; the adapter supplies up to 3800 mA. No worries about overpowering, but you might experience a bit of noise if the adapter has poor filtering.

PS: I assume no liability, should any damage occur :-)
 
Last edited:
#6
Okay, you're a genius.
It worked and now I can play music through 2 speakers from my computer, and am soon to use said interface for recording and midi-routing. Why didn't I think of that, hah. The polarity totally matched, and all's good.
Thank you so much, wayshot!
 
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#8
You're welcome. Nice to hear that it worked :-)

On a side note: I managed to fry the Firewire ports on a MOTU interface some years ago. The connector for the front Firewire port on my computer was connected upside-down on the mainboard header, sending power to signal pins. It's keyed to prevent this, yet somehow it was still possible to connect it wrong.
 

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