Per the spec sheet for the CQ18T - https://www.allen-heath.com/content/uploads/2024/06/CQ-18T-Tech-Datasheet_Iss3.pdf
12V DC, 5A (100-240V AC, 50/60Hz input PSU supplied), 35W max
I have a Kill A Watt somewhere, although I may have lost it… but if I find it I’ll hook it up and see exactly how much power this thing draws on power-up.
You’ll probably also want to test it with every preamp in use with full gain, all fx engines engaged, etc.
Thank you but …
The cable lock you mention is not sufficient as the ground pole of the male connector must be pushed firmly into the female connector witch is the action of the lock to avoid any cut of power during use …
I really think that A&H should have used a more qualitative male/female like this sort:
Wouldn’t matter. See the specs above from the manual.
Also, on the mixer itself it says it needs 12V and 5A.
My Kill A Watt shows a wattage of 30W at idle. There is also no spike during power up. Since the manual says the maximum draw is 35 watts, let’s use that.
35W at 12V = 2.9A. The power supply I linked to is rated at 5A which is more than enough. Not sure where the 5.4A number came from but it’s not necessary and unless something goes dramatically wrong, the mixer will never need anywhere near that much.
To get 5 Amps at 12V you would need 60 watts.
As for the rest of the discussion about a locking connector, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. If someone trips over the cable I think I’d prefer that the power connector pulls out. If it’s locked in place, the alternative is to pull the entire mixer down and send it crashing to the ground possibly pulling on other cables and damaging the XLR inputs and outputs.
In this case, why a female locking connector ?!
Having worked in consumer electronics manufacturing off & on for over 15 years, my guess is that this particular female panel connector was cheap(er) than the non-locking version for whatever reason. Since A&H chose not to couple it with the corresponding male locking connector on the power supply, the choice of panel jack apparently has nothing to do with functionality IMHO.
Hi, +1 for your analyse !
I will have to find a more stable solution as using a standard 5.2/2.5 mâle connector even attaching the cable isn’t satisfying. Thank you.
If you use the cable lock built into the device that connector will never come unplugged on it’s own under any circumstance. No need to worry about that.
There’s a reason A&H didn’t include the locking connector on the stock supply. As mentioned, it does more harm than good since not everyone wants a locking connector when they’re not using the cable lock. That could cause the mixer to fall if the wire is pulled.
It’s also the reason you’re having such a hard time finding the connector to modify your supply with. It’s not preferred in industry.
As a side note, I would have been fine with the mixer being slightly larger, integrating the AC-DC supply, and using an industry standard locking Powercon connector:
Hi, thank you for your analyse.
IMO the cable lock built into the chassis of CQ is useful but not sufficient.
In case of a brutal pull of the wire, even the twisted version will disconnect (it is only a plastic lock not a screw). But anyway, what about all the other cables (XLR, Jacks) if pulled ? Same discussion with the Apple old “magsafe” connector disappeared today …
Note that if a manufacturer/equipment designer can use an external AC/DC power supply, it is the preferred way to go. If the supply is internal, and AC power is brought into the unit, the manufacturer must have the product design approved by an entity such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) here in the US. Each country or region has its own testing laboratory such as CE, CSA, IEC. The process can be expensive and time-consuming. We see internal power supplies with PowerCon or IEC connectors on things requiring more power than an eternal supply can provide. If the manufacturer uses an external supply, then the maker of that supply gets the appropriate approvals and it can be used in multiple pieces of equipment from any manufacturer.
Crawling back into my hole now.
Hi, just got moved out of the Newbie Bin !! I have a 12v 6amp 72 watt with 5.5/2.5mm connector in my Amazon Cart … hopefully the link will appear !! yes, i went a tad overkill - a little headroom never hurt anyone !!!
cheers john
Very good choce ! In France we say « Qui peut le plus peut le moins ». If the mâle connector was with twist locking I will have certainly buy one too … Regards 
thank you kindly …
and as i was reading through posts here, someone made a good pint about the power cable being caught on someone Foot or other unfortunate situation where the locking connector pulls the unit off a table !!! so, that helped me make my decision !!!
cheers john
for fun i put your comment (Qui peut le plus peut le moins) in translator and we get … “he who can do more can do less” HAHA … thats my life story !!
UPDATE: the Alitov power supply works great … i metered it before trying and it came out with 12.76v … the A&H Fidus metered at 12.27v …
i think i will buy another one … keep the Original at home and use the others as main and backup for gigs …
cheers and thx to all that posted here for the help and advice !!
john
