Highest DC Voltage Rails anyone has used on a 3886

[PHilgeman]

I have a transformer that puts out +/- 48 VDC. Should I risk trying it on a parallel gainclone that will have 3 ch. in parallel?

-Paul Hilgeman

[Tony]

+/-40vdc with signal is the datasheet maximum...you are courting trouble if you use these rails...

[tlmadsen]

To PHilgeman

How big is your transformer (VA) ??

Thomas

[MWP]

Ive run my 8 cahnnel bridged gainclone amp on +/- 42V for a few years now. No problems.
You have to be careful with heatsinking as they get REAL hot.

48V might pushing the limit a little too much.

[SimontY]

Maybe you could regulate the voltage down a little. Maybe it's a bit complex for a chip amp tho, I wouldn't really know...

[PHilgeman]

Any way to drop the voltage at all?

-Paul Hilgeman

[jan.didden]

Paul, does your transformer have a center tap?

Jan Didden

[carlosfm]

Time to regulate.

[carlmart]

Originally posted by PHilgeman
I have a transformer that puts out +/- 48 VDC. Should I risk trying it on a parallel gainclone that will have 3 ch. in parallel?

You can do two things:

1) If your transformer is toroidal and you have two secondaries, you can take wire out from both.

2) Regulate to +/-40V, but be careful to heatsink the transistor or regulator quite well, as you should have plenty of heat. The 8v difference should give you plenty of room to regulate in spite of AC line drops.


Carlos

[PHilgeman]

Any links to ways to regulate things?

It is a standard transformer, so I cant unwind. It has a ton of VA, guessing from the transformers I have seen, about 800VA or so.

BTW, I did run an 3886 for a while on the 52V supplies. It worked find and delivered very tight, deep bass, but then it just locked to the - rail.

-Paul Hilgeman