Zen V1 Higher Voltage Rails?

[fligti91]

HAS ANYONE RUNT THE ZEN V1 AT HIGHER VOLTAGES THAN THE 34V THE DESIGN WAS DESIGNED TO RUN ON. IVE HEARD SOME BASICS BUT I WAS INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS PUSHED MORE VOLTAGE INTO THE CIRCUIT AND WHAT WAS THE RESULT IN EITHER TESTING AND/OR LISTENING? IF THERE ARE ADVANTAGES THEN WHY WOULD THE ORIGINAL DESIGN NOT ALREADY RUN ON HIGHER VOLTAGE THAN 34 VOLTS?

[MEGA-amp]

I've run the Zen at higher voltages, and at higher bias currents with good results. I believe that Mr. Pass arrived at 34V @ 2amp bias for reliability of the mosfets used in the project.

As stated in the article:
"I have constructed larger versions of this circuit using industrial Mosfet packages which are rated at 600 watts apiece, and they work fine. The simplicity of the amplifier allows a great tolerance to modification."

Clearly, Nelson has pushed the design to its limit, as have many builders. As long as your heatsinks and power supply can tolerate it, increase bias/voltage to your hearts content and see for yourself. Keep some spare fets handy.

-john


p.s. - posting in all capital letters isn't necessary unless your real mad.

edit: I followed your other thread as well, the one with the pics of your chassis. If you increase voltage/bias, you might want to use fans, or get bigger heatsinks.

[fligti91]

well ive decided to lower the current to 2 amps but the voltage coming in will be around 43-45v

[fligti91]

still my question was what the good results are. does it result in more usable output power?

[MEGA-amp]

Originally posted by fligti91
still my question was what the good results are. does it result in more usable output power?

Sure, more voltage, more power. Your increasing the voltage roughly 10-11 volts over stock, not a huge deal. I built the zen with a 3 amp bias and ran it at 50V, it was fantastic. As far as results are concerned, that's ultimately up to your ears.