Adjustable 0-24V 1A bench PSU

[afternath]

Hi All,

My on going project is to build a bench power supply with these specs :
- Two CV Outputs
- Adjustable Output voltage from 0V to 24V DC (fine+coarse)
- Rated Output current of 1 A

The circuit is currently composed of :
-22V/100VA double secondary transformer (2.27A each secondary)
For one channel :
-one LM338K in TO-3 (improved LM317) for current limiting
in serie with
-one LM338K in TO-3 (with heat sink) for voltage adjust

The problem that i have is, of course, heat dissipating...
For example : output 12V @ 1A, the heat dissipated by the last LM338K is
P=(30V-12V)x1A=18W
30V corresponds to 22V*sqr(2) - 1V (diodes bridge drop)

Junction temp is given by
Tj=(rthjb+rthra)*p+ta=(1+10)*18+25=223°C > 125°C -> the IC will thermal shutdown
where rthjb is the thermal resistance of the LM338K
and rthra thermal resistance of the heat sink (no air flow)

So what i want to do is keeping constant dropout voltage across the linear regulator in order to remove the thermal problem.

To do this, the best solution is to use a tracking pre-regulator which keep constant voltage between its output (connect to linear regulator input) and the final output.

I bought recently a SMPS adjustable step-down module based on LM2596S, see link below
2pcs LM2596 DC-DC Step Down Adjustable Power Supply Module | eBay

This IC (and others) has a FEEDBACK pin which is used to program output voltage with a resistor divider between output and ground.

Now the final question is : what is the best schematic you can show me to monitor final output voltage of the linear regulator with this feedback pin? Maybe OPAMP circuit...
(you can show me another kind of step-down IC)

(see attached my current design + link to LM2596 datasheet)
http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm2596.pdf

Thanks in advance

[KatieandDad]

I built mine based on this schematic.

Two problems. 1) Obtaining High Voltage OP-AMP and 2) Needing two transformers to produce the necessary supplies.

The final result is excellent, stable and highly versatile.

[AndrewT]

If you want/need 0V as minimum then it adds complication to the design.
If you settle for around 3Vdc minimum up to 20Vdc maximum then the design is simpler.

A 2.27Aac transformer feeding a capacitor input filter (normal rectifier+smoothing capacitor) the maximum continuous DC current available is ~1.13Adc. At this output the transformer is running at full rated capacity and will run hot.

If you want reliability and cooler running, then I suggest you use no more than 0.6Adc on a continuous duty and keep the reserve for low duty cycling.

[KatieandDad]

As AndrewT said. 0V adds a bit of simple complication. All the reference circuitry needs to be connected below 0V so that, (to that circuitry) 0V is actually a positive voltage.

Think of it like a PSU that is actually operating from -3V to +30V. The -3V is unobtainable but, you are after 0V which is now obtainable.

[afternath]

Ok thanks to comments but my only question is about the smps connected with the linear regulator...

[KatieandDad]

I've heard that some linear regulators would get upset with HF noise at their input.

I've not experimented with this but you may need a CLC filter to clean up the SMPS raw supply before applying it to a linear regulator.

[afternath]

Thanks but this is still not the answer of my question.
How to connect a smps pre-regulator in order to track the drop of a linear one?

[Elvee]

Originally Posted by afternath

Thanks but this is still not the answer of my question.
How to connect a smps pre-regulator in order to track the drop of a linear one?

You will find an example here, based on a very unusual SMPS using the transformer's leakage inductance in a buck configuration.
The site requires a registration, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem for you, cher ami
Une nouvelle classe de crypto-convertisseurs

By the way, since you are looking for a lab supply circuit, here is one that goes down to 0V, unlike the LM317, and also has a current limiter from 0 to the max, with a LED indicator: meet Cheapita:
Je vous présente Cheapita, la petite alim sympa, ....

[krokkenoster]

Originally Posted by afternath

Hi All,

My on going project is to build a bench power supply with these specs :
- Two CV Outputs
- Adjustable Output voltage from 0V to 24V DC (fine+coarse)
- Rated Output current of 1 A

The circuit is currently composed of :
-22V/100VA double secondary transformer (2.27A each secondary)
For one channel :
-one LM338K in TO-3 (improved LM317) for current limiting
in serie with
-one LM338K in TO-3 (with heat sink) for voltage adjust

The problem that i have is, of course, heat dissipating...
For example : output 12V @ 1A, the heat dissipated by the last LM338K is
P=(30V-12V)x1A=18W
30V corresponds to 22V*sqr(2) - 1V (diodes bridge drop)

Junction temp is given by
Tj=(rthjb+rthra)*p+ta=(1+10)*18+25=223°C > 125°C -> the IC will thermal shutdown
where rthjb is the thermal resistance of the LM338K
and rthra thermal resistance of the heat sink (no air flow)

So what i want to do is keeping constant dropout voltage across the linear regulator in order to remove the thermal problem.

To do this, the best solution is to use a tracking pre-regulator which keep constant voltage between its output (connect to linear regulator input) and the final output.

I bought recently a SMPS adjustable step-down module based on LM2596S, see link below
2pcs LM2596 DC-DC Step Down Adjustable Power Supply Module | eBay

This IC (and others) has a FEEDBACK pin which is used to program output voltage with a resistor divider between output and ground.

Now the final question is : what is the best schematic you can show me to monitor final output voltage of the linear regulator with this feedback pin? Maybe OPAMP circuit...
(you can show me another kind of step-down IC)

(see attached my current design + link to LM2596 datasheet)
http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm2596.pdf

Thanks in advance

I had so much problems with these regulators (LM 338Ksteel and LM 317Ksteel)with inductive loads that I built one with power transistors. The higher the wattage that it can handle, the smaller the heatsink. If you have the means and room, DO NOT SKIMP on the heatsink.( fit a fan they are plentiful in scrapped computer p.s.u.s) Here it remains the bigger the better. If you do decide on building one with dicrete components, and the specified is i.e. BC107 i used TIP127 Okay I had them in my scrapbox built this solved my problems for the current limiting I fitted a second power transistor but made the bias resistor feeding the zener variable. This had the advantage that if the pot become o/c the current stop and do not shoot sky high as those p.s.u.'s with the current sensing resistor and the little pot on it. I had only a handful of ashed components to show with the sensor circuit that failed..

radio constructor June 1978 vintage

[Loudthud]

The simplest thing to do is simply use a dual pot. The LM2596 will be very unstable otherwise. I have sketched one possible circuit but it will take some experimentation to determine circuit values. You will probably burn up some parts in the process.