The Universal Power Supply for the ST series cameras (all ST-7/8/9/10/2000 models) provides the required +/-12VDC at 0.5 amps and +5VDC at 2 amps for the proper operation of the camera.  The power supply comes with a 6' (~2 meter) cable between the power "brick" and the plug for the camera.  Some users wish to extend this cable length so that the power brick can be located a more convenient distance from the camera.   This can be done if some precautions are observed.  The camera is very sensitive to a drop in voltage from the power supply.  A small drop is acceptable.   But an extension cable that causes too great a drop in voltage will cause deterioration of image quality and may cause the camera to malfunction.   Unfortunately there are ready made extension cables for MIDI devices and keyboards that use the same connectors as our power supply.  However these keyboard extension cables use very small gauge conductors and they should not be used to extend the power supply cable to an ST camera.

In response to requests for a longer power cable, and a more flexible cable, we have had 8 foot (~2.4 meter) custom extension cables made for the ST cameras that should not cause any adverse effect on camera performance.  These extension cables are hand made with individual heavy gauge conductors wrapped in mesh to provide minimum loss of voltage and good flexibility.  The conductor is the maximum size that will fit the pins in the 5 pin DIN plug.  For minimum loss of the higher current 5V line, 16 gauge conductor is soldered onto short 20 gauge leads that will fit the connector.  The same is done for the ground return line.

The result is a cable that provides minimum voltage loss and no detectable deterioration in image quality in our tests.  In fact, one of our beta testers with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering graciously wrote up his test results for us.  Click here to read a copy of the report in in PDF format.