Hi Karl. Could you perhaps give us an update after a few months of use? I am searching for such an alternative. Bit I don‘t know what exactly to search for. Any hints for the search keywords? Thank you very much!
CSW/Elite had the same power supply. Previously you can buy a replacement power supply from them for like €40 when you email them, but now they sell it as a stand alone product and marked up its price for CSL DD. Imagine when you need a replacement, you need to pay another €150 again... 👎
One correction - The Fanatec is actually not a high quality PSU. I tested the voltage and Fanatec has a 0.1V (100mv) ripple and constantly bounced between 23.8 and 23.9 V, but my Mean Well 24V PSU stayed locked at 24.1 V on my multimeter tool. Voltage ripple is usually a sign of a converting power supply being cheaply built.
Even the best power adapters fail. And if they fail they cant damage the component they are connected to. The rare instance when that could happen is if you get overvoltage in your mains. And I doubt that original adapter guarantees that. So if you have a overvoltage protection from some other device(like an UPS or other) then I don't see a reason to buy that overpriced adapter. People buy cheap power adapters for their laptops for years(I have bought like 10 for other people and me) without any problems. P.S. I'm using 20$ adapter on my CSL DD without problems.
Do you want to make me a good one for my GT DD PRO? I don't understand nothing about electronics It would be much appreciated i can't find one anywhere..
An adapter might not of been possible. The cable might have 4 wires in (24v, 12v, data, ground for example) but the original "plug end" might of only made use of two. (24v and ground, example). The other two cables might of terminated to nothing. It's only a thought as I've had power bricks like that in the past. The brick itself is mass produced then vendors have just the cable done to the spec they need for whatever they're bundling it with.
Yeah thats very possible, in which case I'd just terminate it there with the correct 4 pin plug and then use a female to male extension, still a better solution :)
@@KarlGosling agreed. Best solution would be recabling it from inside the brick. Would cost a little more in cable but would save time overall and time is money.
I don't understand the pricing, the extra €130 for the boost kit (including €20 discount when buying with DD) translates in to £110, so with this pack at £75 with delivery that's only a £35 saving, you'd be mad to risk warranty and potentially a house fire for that. If you're comparing buying the boost kit later on its own then €150 plus delivery will make it more appealing. However pretty sure you can buy a PSU like this and rewire the connector for less than £30... that does make sense. This is second review to say half price but personally think that's misleading, only half price if buying after buying your DD. Top marks for being honest about the shortcomings.
It actually works out to be £150 for the Fanatec power supply when you take into account the import tax and shipping, so yes this unit is half the price with postage.
This was inevitable with Fanatec's completely absurd pricing, but I guess they'll make enough with non-technical people blindly handing their money over. I'm making my own (with components I can trust) coming in around 40 quid. Thanks for the review Karl
@@Ben-ib2xu second this, or comment reply with component recommendations. a channel named polymer has a video or two out but I want to do as much research as possible
Wouldn't cheap out on psu, to much of an investment to take chances with, although I'm saying this after buying the csl dd with boost kit, but I don't have to worry about it at least.
@@3dfer383 Or getting a much better psu at 1/3 the price, Fanatec PSU is not that great and 180w is no big deal, my laptop use 330w 17a and I can get a replacement for $50.
@@Kinbote4444 Usually I would agree. However in this instance Karl mentioned that the cheaper PSU is much lighter than the original which would indicate a cheaper PSU. Meaning, you are actually cheaping out on your PSU by not paying for the one fanatec sells. I wouldn't trust the durability of the PSU, especially while being plugged into the CSL DD
@@Kinbote4444 The value of the Fanatec PSU and the Quality of the DIY are not mutually exclusive. As in, the Fanatec can be a quality product and a bad value and the DIY can still be a dangerously shite PSU at the same time.
I wouldn't take the chance, if you can afford to enter the Fanatec environment then the extra cost of the approved PSU isn't that big compared to the 3rd party PSU imo
Hey karl. You've made a lot of review on mid-ranged cockpits, and I was wondering what you thought was the best one. Could make a good video! A buddy of mine is looking to buy one and has a budget of $200-$400 USD (£150 - £300). Which one(s) would you recommend? EDIT: nevermind! You've already made a video like this! Thanks for all you do Karl!
I really do not understand the Fanatec 'hate' for doing this 2 PSU, 1 device approach it makes perfect business sense and at 5nm offers a DD wheel to a much larger audience. It would not surprise me if Fanatec have not already thought of this and their 180w PSU was 'talking' to the wheel base everytime it switched on... for the sake of £70 odd you'd take a risk at the very least of ruining the base and not being able to get it repaired under warranty?..... more fool you...
Hi karl, my question isnt really related to this video but, have you ever tried the handbrake mount for the ART cockpit, if so, what are your thoughts on it? Im getting the cockpit for christmas and dont know where I can mount the handbrake apart from buying the extra handbrake mount, but on the photos it looks like its in a bit of a awkward position. :)
If done correctly, it's pretty straightforward. No reason a power brick has to cost that much other than the 5nm has likely razor thin margins and this is where they make money on the CSL-DD. The official Fanatec boost kit probably costs them $20. Maybe less, it's nothing particularly special.
A DIY version of this (just fix 7 cables with bolts to a power supply) will cost you less than 20 quid, just in case. PS: just finished watching the video: the "lighter" power supplies are usually much cheaper and overall are less safe/reliable alternatives to "traditional" ones, they are called SMPS. A Linear power supply is your safe bet.
Whether or not you want to call it a price gouge or shady marketing tactics, I really think people need to understand that, the CSL DD, with the boost kit, and their entry level wheels (McLaren GT3 or CSL Elite WRC) is STILL about $200 cheaper then the closest competing wheel (Simagic Alpha Mini). Smh.
this, and I generally agree with the argument that the margin on the 5nm base is probably razor thin, so the boost kit pricing was a way to balance that out and make some money. They could have sold the 5nm kit for $100 more to seem more fair but ultimately sold fewer units. I've been planning on making a DIY boost kit yet still always consider just shelling out the $150 for peace of mind.
Yeah we would need this tested properly somehow by an electrical engineer to make sure they are what the sticker says and tis safe. No way we could risk the DD's with this could we? Shame the Fanatec one is such a rip off.
I know Im an internet stranger, but my close friend who helped me make mine is an electrical engineer. He tested polarity of the original 90w power supply to match, and made sure the new one was safe for the base and wasn’t overpowering. I’ve had it working now for over a month. No issues here. Paid around $40 USD in all.
Maybe its not the same scenario but I have a Simucube 2 Pro. No way would I mess with some cheap knockoff chinese powerpack to run a DD wheel. But the problem probably originates with Fanatec trying to grab the headlines of a cheap direct drive wheel when they should have just brought out a 8NM base fullstop. Maybe then they would have been able to fullfil their orders quicker.
Fanatec intentionally sold a crippled DD, just so it could rave about it's lower price. The crippled DD should never have been an option, they should have just sold it at it's full power option in the first place, everyone knew the chinese knockoff PSU's were on the way as soon as the fanatec upgrade option price was mentioned. I hope these cheaper psu's bite Fanatec's arse like they deserve.
Kinda disagree here, the way I look at it is they sold a replacement to the csl elite at 50 euro cheaper with similar torque and dd, then they sold a replacement to the csw2.5 at 50 euro cheaper with similar torque and dd, kinda see it as 2 separate products but with the ability to upgrade a lot cheaper than it would be to go from csl elite to csw2.5
Mate, why would you risk your warranty on the DD to save £40 on the power supply, then take the risk that the ebay one has been wired correctly and not some knock off.. my friend brought a 6 plug extension lead from amazon and it burnt his house down, it was watchdog last year.. Don't think it's wise to recommend this product..
Did you watch the video? I didn't recommend it, all I said was it works and it's low quality... what you do is up to you, people need to know it's cheap and low quality, thats the whole point of the video.
sadly, the official Fanatec one is 'low cost' as well. It's not going to be dramatically better than your typical home electronics power brick, if at all. It's just priced that way. $150 is what a quality power supply for a PC costs.
Good luck and fair play to anyone who goes for this. There’s a reason products are developed and tested over a period of time, going with signed off accessories that are offered by the same company is always the way to go. Especially if it’s electrical or an important part of the device functionality. if you can’t afford the proper one, just stick with the base offering until you can. Save £70 and hope the thing doesn’t burn your house down or kill your much more expensive device, vs saving a bit longer to get the proper one, I know what I’d do, same story as the cheap iPhone chargers, think it’s a good idea until it starts melting your phone and exploding on your bedside cabinet at 3am 😂
Funny you mention cheap iPhone chargers. The "genuine" Apple chargers were built like crap back when I owned an iPhone 3G and 4S. Meanwhile, the cheaper chargers and cables I bought from Target and Amazon were built much better and lasted longer. Sometimes, companies take cheap items, slap their brand on them, and mark them up to ridiculous prices. And that is exactly what Fanatec are doing. Their power supply is made by a COTS supplier and can't be costing them more than $50, even after replacing the barrel plug with a Molex MicroFit. This particular alternative looks like it might not be great quality (but impossible to know without opening it up), but anyone who can solder and/or crimp wire terminals can build their own adapter using a high-quality Meanwell power supply for under $50, just as one example.
Great video as always Karl! Not meant to be nitpicky here, but I've heard you pronounce it "Fnatic" instead of "Fa-na-tec" And Fnatic is a eSports team that has nothing to do with Fanatec. :)
irresponsible making a video like this. Will invalidate warranty and very potentially cause damage to your viewers beloved wheel bases. but i suppose thats ok as long as you get views eh?
You're either new to my channel or Clueless... The choice to buy what I clearly explain is a cheap unknown part falls on the individual, I didn't at any point recommend it, I just tested it and showed that it worked pointing out the cheap and risky nature.
Apologies for the holy armpit! lol I was in a rush to get this video made after work and am still in my tatty work clothes!
Increased ventilation for the rig Karl, all good!
Holy…?
It’s Jesus month after all 😎
Hi Karl. Could you perhaps give us an update after a few months of use? I am searching for such an alternative. Bit I don‘t know what exactly to search for. Any hints for the search keywords? Thank you very much!
CSW/Elite had the same power supply. Previously you can buy a replacement power supply from them for like €40 when you email them, but now they sell it as a stand alone product and marked up its price for CSL DD. Imagine when you need a replacement, you need to pay another €150 again... 👎
Wow they really sold them for only £40?!
@@KarlGosling One would think that would be the normal price for a PSU. :P
@@misterdog7 Yes!
This is exactly the reason why putting the "8nm license fee" to the power supply was not exactly the best idea...
One correction - The Fanatec is actually not a high quality PSU. I tested the voltage and Fanatec has a 0.1V (100mv) ripple and constantly bounced between 23.8 and 23.9 V, but my Mean Well 24V PSU stayed locked at 24.1 V on my multimeter tool. Voltage ripple is usually a sign of a converting power supply being cheaply built.
I dread to think what this one is like then! lol
@@KarlGosling probably the same, just not with insane markups
😂😂 my friends original boost kit blew up and started smoking
still too expensive, just buy 24v 200W(or higher) power supply for 20-30$, and rewire with 4pin PC CPU wire.
That boost power supply looks just like the one for the original xbox one 🤣
Get a hold of Big Clive. Let him into them.
Even the best power adapters fail. And if they fail they cant damage the component they are connected to. The rare instance when that could happen is if you get overvoltage in your mains. And I doubt that original adapter guarantees that. So if you have a overvoltage protection from some other device(like an UPS or other) then I don't see a reason to buy that overpriced adapter. People buy cheap power adapters for their laptops for years(I have bought like 10 for other people and me) without any problems.
P.S. I'm using 20$ adapter on my CSL DD without problems.
can you tell me where i can get one for my GT DD PRO?
I don't have any electronics knowledge to make me one :/
Ebay
I've done this (and better and for cheaper!) back in June! I bet you whoever is selling these just watched my DIY video!
😄 😁👍👍👍
Do you want to make me a good one for my GT DD PRO?
I don't understand nothing about electronics
It would be much appreciated i can't find one anywhere..
I have used a metal outdoor rated driver 200 watt. It has heat sinks and seems a lot better built than the fanatic one. About £50.
An adapter might not of been possible. The cable might have 4 wires in (24v, 12v, data, ground for example) but the original "plug end" might of only made use of two. (24v and ground, example). The other two cables might of terminated to nothing.
It's only a thought as I've had power bricks like that in the past. The brick itself is mass produced then vendors have just the cable done to the spec they need for whatever they're bundling it with.
Yeah thats very possible, in which case I'd just terminate it there with the correct 4 pin plug and then use a female to male extension, still a better solution :)
@@KarlGosling agreed. Best solution would be recabling it from inside the brick. Would cost a little more in cable but would save time overall and time is money.
I don't understand the pricing, the extra €130 for the boost kit (including €20 discount when buying with DD) translates in to £110, so with this pack at £75 with delivery that's only a £35 saving, you'd be mad to risk warranty and potentially a house fire for that.
If you're comparing buying the boost kit later on its own then €150 plus delivery will make it more appealing.
However pretty sure you can buy a PSU like this and rewire the connector for less than £30... that does make sense.
This is second review to say half price but personally think that's misleading, only half price if buying after buying your DD.
Top marks for being honest about the shortcomings.
It actually works out to be £150 for the Fanatec power supply when you take into account the import tax and shipping, so yes this unit is half the price with postage.
This was inevitable with Fanatec's completely absurd pricing, but I guess they'll make enough with non-technical people blindly handing their money over. I'm making my own (with components I can trust) coming in around 40 quid.
Thanks for the review Karl
Can you make a video on it?
@@Ben-ib2xu second this, or comment reply with component recommendations. a channel named polymer has a video or two out but I want to do as much research as possible
Yeah...should have been a 5 NM and a 10-12 NM for extra $$$. 8 NM is just bullshit.
Wouldn't cheap out on psu, to much of an investment to take chances with, although I'm saying this after buying the csl dd with boost kit, but I don't have to worry about it at least.
Yup, I would not plug a Tacens psu into my 3070...neither an unknown psu into a csl dd base. Going cheap can be expensive.
@@3dfer383 Or getting a much better psu at 1/3 the price, Fanatec PSU is not that great and 180w is no big deal, my laptop use 330w 17a and I can get a replacement for $50.
8nm police? Is tampering with cloud evidence which I got from the Guruwara where has titan Achilles gone? And the number 2?
Hi Karl I’ve used mine for 40 hrs now with no problems so far I will let you know if it goes pop!
I have a cheap 20eiro 24V8A adapter from Aliexpress and been using it on my CSL DD from end of September. Also no problems since.
Any updates?
Update?
Has it popped yet?
Update?
If building PCs has taught me anything, it's don't cheap out on your PSU.
Agree 100%. You don't want 'Toasty feet' do you, as it's igniting your expensive kit?
@@Kinbote4444 Usually I would agree. However in this instance Karl mentioned that the cheaper PSU is much lighter than the original which would indicate a cheaper PSU. Meaning, you are actually cheaping out on your PSU by not paying for the one fanatec sells. I wouldn't trust the durability of the PSU, especially while being plugged into the CSL DD
@@Kinbote4444 The value of the Fanatec PSU and the Quality of the DIY are not mutually exclusive. As in, the Fanatec can be a quality product and a bad value and the DIY can still be a dangerously shite PSU at the same time.
This is the thing... the proper 180w psu is £160 in sim demon.
While there is an aftermarket one for £69.99
Where did you find one for 69.99
If you fancied a look inside you could purchase a Logik TV power supply, as that’s all these £70 kits seem to use. The TV power supply is about £30
🚨🚨 Warranty and Safety Police 🚨🚨
This looks A LOT like the power supply that came with the xbox 360
Obviously the Xbox supply is like 12v I guess, so they likely are just reusing the tooling?
I wouldn't take the chance, if you can afford to enter the Fanatec environment then the extra cost of the approved PSU isn't that big compared to the 3rd party PSU imo
Hey karl. You've made a lot of review on mid-ranged cockpits, and I was wondering what you thought was the best one. Could make a good video! A buddy of mine is looking to buy one and has a budget of $200-$400 USD (£150 - £300). Which one(s) would you recommend?
EDIT: nevermind! You've already made a video like this! Thanks for all you do Karl!
No worries! :)
oplite superfast
I knew Karl would have this video if I waited long enough.
Still a bit low quality and overpriced for what it is, but more will follow I'm sure.
What does your Fanatec application show in windows , does it still show 5.5nm or 8nm ?
I really do not understand the Fanatec 'hate' for doing this 2 PSU, 1 device approach it makes perfect business sense and at 5nm offers a DD wheel to a much larger audience. It would not surprise me if Fanatec have not already thought of this and their 180w PSU was 'talking' to the wheel base everytime it switched on... for the sake of £70 odd you'd take a risk at the very least of ruining the base and not being able to get it repaired under warranty?..... more fool you...
Hi karl, my question isnt really related to this video but, have you ever tried the handbrake mount for the ART cockpit, if so, what are your thoughts on it? Im getting the cockpit for christmas and dont know where I can mount the handbrake apart from buying the extra handbrake mount, but on the photos it looks like its in a bit of a awkward position. :)
No mate I haven't sorry.
Surely not worth the risk. Would never buy a DIYed power supply, just asking for trouble.
If done correctly, it's pretty straightforward. No reason a power brick has to cost that much other than the 5nm has likely razor thin margins and this is where they make money on the CSL-DD. The official Fanatec boost kit probably costs them $20. Maybe less, it's nothing particularly special.
pop open the fanatec one and check the build !
looks like a xbox 360 power block.
A DIY version of this (just fix 7 cables with bolts to a power supply) will cost you less than 20 quid, just in case.
PS: just finished watching the video: the "lighter" power supplies are usually much cheaper and overall are less safe/reliable alternatives to "traditional" ones, they are called SMPS. A Linear power supply is your safe bet.
Thank you
I got one from aliexpress for 30 pounds + shipping and it works fine
Updates?
Hello is it still work perfect ?
wheres the link for the power supply
Description.
Whether or not you want to call it a price gouge or shady marketing tactics, I really think people need to understand that, the CSL DD, with the boost kit, and their entry level wheels (McLaren GT3 or CSL Elite WRC) is STILL about $200 cheaper then the closest competing wheel (Simagic Alpha Mini). Smh.
Yes this is very true.
this, and I generally agree with the argument that the margin on the 5nm base is probably razor thin, so the boost kit pricing was a way to balance that out and make some money. They could have sold the 5nm kit for $100 more to seem more fair but ultimately sold fewer units. I've been planning on making a DIY boost kit yet still always consider just shelling out the $150 for peace of mind.
Where can I buy this ?
Lmao the armpit hole Karl 🤣
I scrolled down the comments to see if anyone mentioned that! :-)
Well spotted! I'm in my work clothes and had to hurriedly make this video without realising I'd be raising my arms! lol
@@KarlGosling understandable
Ngl my dirst thought was it looking sketchy. But hey if it works it aint dumb.
You know damn well all those who didn't buy the Boost Kit with their CSL DD are on a special list.
Mwah Ha haaaa
I messed up. Agreed
PLS the link for the power supply
Description.
@@KarlGosling eBay link don't work
Yeah we would need this tested properly somehow by an electrical engineer to make sure they are what the sticker says and tis safe. No way we could risk the DD's with this could we? Shame the Fanatec one is such a rip off.
I know Im an internet stranger, but my close friend who helped me make mine is an electrical engineer. He tested polarity of the original 90w power supply to match, and made sure the new one was safe for the base and wasn’t overpowering. I’ve had it working now for over a month. No issues here. Paid around $40 USD in all.
@@hrobinett23 can you help me in getting one?
I hope they fix those shaft problems first
THe term is "OEM"
Do you have any pull with fanatec, if you do can you ask them why they don't ship to new Zealand
I don't mate, I'm just a reviewer.
Dodgy
does it ship to the u.s
Message the seller.
£70 is someone taking advantage of Fanatec's insulting pricing. This'll be taking someone experienced probably 15mins and £20.
off topic ( sorry ) have you tried WRC 10 and do you like it ?
I've not tried it mate no.
Did you not recently announce a partnership with Fanatec? How are they going to feel about you advertising this?
Only in that I am now on their list of reviewers, there's nothing more to it than than.
@@KarlGosling That's fair enough then.
Maybe its not the same scenario but I have a Simucube 2 Pro. No way would I mess with some cheap knockoff chinese powerpack to run a DD wheel. But the problem probably originates with Fanatec trying to grab the headlines of a cheap direct drive wheel when they should have just brought out a 8NM base fullstop. Maybe then they would have been able to fullfil their orders quicker.
Is power usage from the wall the same
Not a scooby mate.
ejj Karl is it still working :D
I returned it mate, was just in for testing.
Fanatec have left the chat.
Fanatec intentionally sold a crippled DD, just so it could rave about it's lower price. The crippled DD should never have been an option, they should have just sold it at it's full power option in the first place, everyone knew the chinese knockoff PSU's were on the way as soon as the fanatec upgrade option price was mentioned. I hope these cheaper psu's bite Fanatec's arse like they deserve.
...like they 'deserve' !... really? How so?
Kinda disagree here, the way I look at it is they sold a replacement to the csl elite at 50 euro cheaper with similar torque and dd, then they sold a replacement to the csw2.5 at 50 euro cheaper with similar torque and dd, kinda see it as 2 separate products but with the ability to upgrade a lot cheaper than it would be to go from csl elite to csw2.5
Mate, why would you risk your warranty on the DD to save £40 on the power supply, then take the risk that the ebay one has been wired correctly and not some knock off.. my friend brought a 6 plug extension lead from amazon and it burnt his house down, it was watchdog last year..
Don't think it's wise to recommend this product..
Did you watch the video? I didn't recommend it, all I said was it works and it's low quality... what you do is up to you, people need to know it's cheap and low quality, thats the whole point of the video.
Why even put this shit on your channel, some people won't watch the whole vid and go straight to eBay and buy.. especially when you saying it works
Low cost power supplies use low cost components. Noisy, low efficiency, low reliability. For the cost difference I would pass.
sadly, the official Fanatec one is 'low cost' as well. It's not going to be dramatically better than your typical home electronics power brick, if at all. It's just priced that way. $150 is what a quality power supply for a PC costs.
looks like an xbox power brick.
You are under an affiliate relationship with Fanatec... I am sure that they won't be thrilled with your video...
I'm not under anything with Fanatec! I review their products as well as all available others.
Is it worth buying this boost kit ? Instead of original boost kit ? I need to make a choice
Too soon to tell mate.
Fak!! Just ordered an original boost kit
Still might be the best bet. Just enjoy.
Still a good move I think. Piece of mind and no warranty issues.
Good luck and fair play to anyone who goes for this. There’s a reason products are developed and tested over a period of time, going with signed off accessories that are offered by the same company is always the way to go. Especially if it’s electrical or an important part of the device functionality. if you can’t afford the proper one, just stick with the base offering until you can. Save £70 and hope the thing doesn’t burn your house down or kill your much more expensive device, vs saving a bit longer to get the proper one, I know what I’d do, same story as the cheap iPhone chargers, think it’s a good idea until it starts melting your phone and exploding on your bedside cabinet at 3am 😂
Funny you mention cheap iPhone chargers. The "genuine" Apple chargers were built like crap back when I owned an iPhone 3G and 4S. Meanwhile, the cheaper chargers and cables I bought from Target and Amazon were built much better and lasted longer.
Sometimes, companies take cheap items, slap their brand on them, and mark them up to ridiculous prices. And that is exactly what Fanatec are doing. Their power supply is made by a COTS supplier and can't be costing them more than $50, even after replacing the barrel plug with a Molex MicroFit. This particular alternative looks like it might not be great quality (but impossible to know without opening it up), but anyone who can solder and/or crimp wire terminals can build their own adapter using a high-quality Meanwell power supply for under $50, just as one example.
Been using cheap iphone chargers for years. No issues
Great video as always Karl! Not meant to be nitpicky here, but I've heard you pronounce it "Fnatic" instead of "Fa-na-tec" And Fnatic is a eSports team that has nothing to do with Fanatec. :)
Karls not the only one tbf. Loads of youtubers call it fanatic rather tah FA NA TEC lol
@@MrCeeMusic yeah true, like I said its not ill meant.
Listen to how the owner of Fanatec says it as well
Yes please just go and watch a Fanatec video, I am pronouncing it correctly.
@@KarlGosling I will Karl, my bad.
irresponsible making a video like this. Will invalidate warranty and very potentially cause damage to your viewers beloved wheel bases. but i suppose thats ok as long as you get views eh?
You're either new to my channel or Clueless... The choice to buy what I clearly explain is a cheap unknown part falls on the individual, I didn't at any point recommend it, I just tested it and showed that it worked pointing out the cheap and risky nature.
@@KarlGosling neither actually.