Recently I finished a fairly large pedalboard project for my home studio. I decided a smaller more portable one was next. I purchased a Pedaltrain Nano plus which measures only 18x5x1.4 inches (45.7×12.7×3.5 cm) and can hold about five or six pedals depending on their size. I think the Nano plus is just the right size. Comes with a soft case for easy transport.

I did not want to mount a power supply on the top and lose pedal space or daisy chain the power (using a One Spot). Daisy chaining is not always the best option as it can create ground loops and noise. Isolating the power is a better solution. I found that a Cioks DC5 Link 5-Outlet Effect Pedal Power Supply is one of the few that can be installed under this small Pedaltrain Nano plus (or Nano).

The DC5 link is a professional, small and very flat power supply with 5 isolated outlets. Being only 31mm high, it fits under the smallest Pedaltrain board models like the Nano or Nano plus. It offers voltages 9, 12 or 18V and has a total output current of 900mA. The top two switchable 9 or 12V outlets can power any two Strymon, Eventide or other two medium to high current pedals. The middle outlet in 18V setting can power one or two dirt pedals, Pigtronix, MXR or other 18V pedals. The bottom two outlets configurable to either 9 or 12V can power two or even more standard low current pedals when used with Split Flex or 3-way daisy chain Flex. In 12V setting using Stack Flex, they’ll power a 24V pedal. If needed, all 5 isolated outlets will give you 9V DC in the default position of the settings switch. Bottomline is the Cioks DC5 Link could power anything I have. The plan is to be able to swap out pedals from my collection on a regular basis.

Mounting the Cioks DC5 Link to the bottom of the Nano plus is a tight fit as the power supply is just thin enough to make it. Pedaltrain sells PT-UNI-MK Universal Mounting Kit that I have seen shown included in Nano/Cioks DC5 bundles on eBay and Reverb. The PT-UNI-MK Universal Mounting Kit is actually for the larger Pedaltrain like the Novo, Classic or Terra. It is basically useless for mounting a power supply to the Nano or Nano plus. I actually bought this and returned it. No idea why they are offered in these bundles.

Card has mounting screw template on other side

Luckily, the Cioks DC5 Link case comes with treaded mounting holes for 4mm short screws (not included) that can be used. This is the best way to mount the power supply to the bottom of the Nano or Nano plus. The included template makes it easier. No need to take apart the DC5. Velcro will not really work as it would add thickness to the power supply and there is not enough space if you don’t want the pedalboard to wobble. Plus the Cioks DC5 Link is a bit heavy and velcro mounting on the bottom would require the stronger velcro that is even thicker.

Pencil marked where the pedals would sit so screws would not be in way

DC5 Link mounted and power cables added

Velcro added to top of Nano plus

Quick trip to the local hardware store to fetch 4 screws (probably could do it with just 2 screws). Nicely, Croiks includes a template to drill the holes. Bit hard to see as it is on a card that comes with unit (so look closely). The screws I used were pan head screws and sit up on the top of the Nano plus where there pedals are mounted. So I marked out with a pencil where the five pedals would sit and planned for the screws to fall in-between. The aluminum rails of the Pedaltrain are pretty thin so counter sinking flat head screws would be harder, but probably possible.

Pedals installed

Pedals
1) Keeley 30ms Automatic Double Tracker
2) Keeley Memphis Sun
3) Catalinbread Topanga Reverb
4) Keeley Oxblood Germanium Overdrive
5) MXR M291 Dyna Comp Mini

These pedals cover most of what I would want in a small pedalboard and I can easily swap out a few when needed. The velcro I added sparingly to the bottom of the pedals so they can be swapped more easily.

Pretty happy with the pedalboard.