diyAB Amp The "Honey Badger" build thread

Takin' the plunge ...

After burning some $$ for speakers (photo 1) , I need some badgers !

I had the prototype badger (photo 2) , 2 vintage receivers to fill in while I
stuff some PCB's.

While "stuffin' " , I omitted R53-54 (don't need them) , I might omit C18/19 or
just use some higher voltage 22pf SM caps.
These boards replaced 3 PCB's in my original amp.
I ran into NO errors in hole size with the parts at hand. The PCB's are quite durable ,
no lifting tracks .... I even re-soldered a few things- TOUGH!!

Plated-through holes are a little difficult to rework , have a needle or good a
de-solder braid handy.

(photo 3) shows the caps, diodes , I even had some real Noble emitter
resistors.
I floated the higher power resistors and 4A diodes above the PCB - if something
did go wrong ... they would emit magic smoke without harming the PCB.
Edit - jumpered the V+ rails as well - can't be too careful.
Wanted to build this for a long time ! :)

OS
 

Attachments

  • newdayton.jpg
    newdayton.jpg
    119.8 KB · Views: 772
  • oldbadger.jpg
    oldbadger.jpg
    135.8 KB · Views: 761
  • newbadger.jpg
    newbadger.jpg
    157.5 KB · Views: 777
Last edited:
I haven't had much time recently but I did get my transfos mounted and the unused leads tied off. I used mounting brackets from Apex Jr.Home Page.

Does anyone know how to clean off the excess thermal grease that squeezed out? Purely cosmetic, it just looks messy.

I noticed you have your drivers and Vbe on a separate heatsink. :(
No , NO ...This WILL cause thermal runaway. :cop:

Q13 MUST be on the main heatsink !

OS
 
OK, so can someone school me on the best way to tap the heatsink? I'm thinking this tap will work. How does one use it? Drill a slightly smaller diameter hole, then use a wrench to drive the tap in?

VERMONT AMERICAN Hand Tap, Metric, M4-0.70mm, Metric - Taps - 2NWT9|21117 - Grainger Industrial Supply

Drill the proper size hole ensuring the drill bit remains at 90 degrees to the heat sink! I often use cutting fluid when but on an aluminum heat sink I don't because I don't want the petroleum contaminants (cutting fluid) on the matting surface for the power transistors--your choice, but if you do use cutting fluid ensure you clean very well with a cleaner that does not leave a residue. You can find the proper size drill bit on the web. The size of the drill bit changes depending on the pitch and material you intend on taping into. After you look at the proper size drill bit, you may consider changing your thread pitch (I would go with more coarse thread pitch than 0.70). When you start your tap take it slow and turn clock-wise a turn and then back it out until you see the metal shaving clear out. keep repeating the process until you get the depth of thread you desire. Don't push it or you will cross thread the tap!!! You may want to practice on a scrap piece of aluminum to get the idea. I linked an example of many tap size charts available on the net. You may want to compare results as I am not condoning the accuracy of this one. I have one in my tool box with my tap and die set that has never let me down. I hope this helps.

Tap Size Chart

Jason
 
OK, so can someone school me on the best way to tap the heatsink? I'm thinking this tap will work. How does one use it? Drill a slightly smaller diameter hole, then use a wrench to drive the tap in?

VERMONT AMERICAN Hand Tap, Metric, M4-0.70mm, Metric - Taps - 2NWT9|21117 - Grainger Industrial Supply

Are you going to tap it to install transistors? You may want to use a size M3 for 3mm bolts.

Essentially what you do is drill a smaller hole, use a tapping tool to hold the tap and put some oil/lubricant and just carefully drive the tap in clockwise for a few turns and then go back counter-clockwise. Repeat until you have reached your desired depth.
 
I hope these photos helps. You can be tapping tens of holes confidently with a little bit of practice.

I would suggest you practice with aluminum, it's kinda gummy so machine oil is a must so you won't foul your tap.

Cheers



EDIT:

Btw, you can use a 10mm drill bit to de-burr the tapped hole. That also does the job of chamfering the hole which aids for that perfectly flat matting of the transistor's back and the heatsink. Just run it manually through your fingers.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3255.JPG
    IMG_3255.JPG
    416.1 KB · Views: 234
  • IMG_3254.JPG
    IMG_3254.JPG
    359.6 KB · Views: 237
  • IMG_3251.JPG
    IMG_3251.JPG
    421.8 KB · Views: 235
  • IMG_3248.JPG
    IMG_3248.JPG
    358.6 KB · Views: 237
  • IMG_3245.JPG
    IMG_3245.JPG
    430.1 KB · Views: 629
  • IMG_3244.JPG
    IMG_3244.JPG
    436.6 KB · Views: 642
  • IMG_3235.JPG
    IMG_3235.JPG
    498.7 KB · Views: 679
  • IMG_3229.JPG
    IMG_3229.JPG
    468.6 KB · Views: 680
  • IMG_3228.JPG
    IMG_3228.JPG
    492.4 KB · Views: 718
Matt,

This photos may interest you in addressing thermal management of the amp. I used a piece of aluminum to mount the Vbe transistor which is used to also mount and thermally connected to the output transistors. I'm sure you'll get the idea once you see the photos.

Cheers
 

Attachments

  • DSC_4064.JPG
    DSC_4064.JPG
    299.2 KB · Views: 316
  • DSC_4065.JPG
    DSC_4065.JPG
    310.7 KB · Views: 331
  • IMG_3277.JPG
    IMG_3277.JPG
    430.1 KB · Views: 404
OK, so can someone school me on the best way to tap the heatsink? I'm thinking this tap will work. How does one use it? Drill a slightly smaller diameter hole, then use a wrench to drive the tap in?

VERMONT AMERICAN Hand Tap, Metric, M4-0.70mm, Metric - Taps - 2NWT9|21117 - Grainger Industrial Supply
Metric taps and drilling size is very easy.
Subtract the pitch from the diameter to give the drilling size.

In aluminium this will give adequate thread engagement (about 90%).
In steel the engagement is too strong (generally) and we use a slightly bigger drilling size to reduce the work the tap has to do and still retain sufficient engagement (about 70%) for the strength required.
 
don't mount the Vbe tracking transistor to the relatively cool and very slow reacting clamping strip.
Mount it directly on the heatsink next to the hottest device
or
Mount it directly on top of the hottest device
or
Mount a sot23 directly on the Collector (centre lead of a power FET) lead right next to the package.