F5X -- the EUVL Approach - The Build Thread

I'm a bit confused by the load resistor requirement for testing the CRegC power supply. In Fitzfish's build guide (See Post #122 here), he mentions needing a resistor of a few hundred ohms to test the CRegC. I guess I am a bit confused why I can't simply swap in the CRegC in place of my current CRC supply, and connect my big 8ohm load resistor across the + and - Power Supply terminals for testing?
 
Hi Greg,

Working late (as usual...) and happened to see your question. I've had so little time that you won't see me here much. My apologies.

The CRegC power supplies are mosfet followers. Without some loading their outputs can float up to the input voltage. Adding at least some minimal load as suggested ensures that the output voltage of the CRegC boards are correct when testing them or if you use these as you supplies to test/bias the amplifier.

Dave
 
Thanks Dave. So in lieu of my big 200W 8ohm resistor, I should use something a bit smaller such as a 10W 300ohm resistor? For testing purposes, can I simply tie this loading resistor across the + and - output terminals of the CRegC power supply (basically swapping it out for the F5X amp board)?

Thanks,
Greg
 
Greg,

There is no harm using a 200W 8 ohm resistor.
What Dave suggested is a quick way to test that the regulator circuit functions.
But if you want to check the actual voltage and heat and everything, you need to load it under operating conditions.
And that means you need to draw the correct current.

Say if you are using +/-16V rails 4A, you need a 8 ohm 200W load (resistor).
If you wish to use +/-18V 3A, you need a 12R 160W load.

And yes, just put it across the +Vout and -Vout.
BUT you need to connect the Gnd of the positive and the negative regulators.
They are totoally separate on the regulator board, and are only connected at the F5X star ground.


Patrick
 
Since we didn´t had a dummy load, we did a kind of backward integration that worked quite well.

1) Startup, bias adjust and test the power amp board with a lab power supply.
2) Put the CRegC board with cap boards in between lap power supply and power amp. Now you could fully test the CRegC Board having the amp as real load (which behaves rather like a current source then as a resistor)
3) Add the rectifiers, test (both polarities)
4) Replace the lap power supply by the transformer, test
5) Stepwise integrate the relays of the pretested protection board


Markus
 
Thank John,

I guess it's better to have the new heatsinks to solder the diodes.

I am putting together an order for the last few things I am missing.

Can somebody indicate the part number of the male moles connectors (for the cables) that I will need between the protection board and the rest (regulators etc.)?

Thanks,

Davide
 
Thanks, I mean the other side, for the cable.

D

If you scroll down the Digikey website for this connection header, you'll find a section called "Mating Products". There's only one mating prodcut, namely:
WM18953-ND - CONN RCPT HOUSING 2MM 4POS SGL

and on the page for this connector housing you'll find appropriate crimp contacts in the "Assciated Products" section.
 
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David,

The shorter measurement between the diodes is the same and still fits the rectifier pcb. However the longer measurement has changed, to save space I’m assuming.

The diodes pins now bend sooner, exactly at the mark they go from thick to thin.

:D

John,

I'm looking at the rectifier PCB and the new rectifier diode hole layout, and I'm not seeing how this still works. Do you have a photo of your rectifier setup with the new heatsinks?