Lighting transformers as a power supply

[TullyK]

I've recently been acquiring components to build my first 'proper' audio amp. For simplicity, I'm going to largely be following the Death of Zen design. Being class A it's going to need a decent power supply and that's the part I've found most problematic for two reasons: cost and working with mains voltage.

Today I came across lighting transformers which boast a much higher output power for the price compared to purely electromagnetic transformers and, to an extent, eliminate what you have to do with mains wiring down to just wiring to a plug. They also, I believe, output a more square like wave, which means less smoothing work to be done.

I've read the threads that were suggested to me when I posted this but they tended to contain differing information. So before I buy some of these to experiment with I wonder if anyone could give me some good reasons not to (or encouragement would be even better )

My main question is whether they can be run in series, since most are +/-12V (24V are available) and I would like 36V. I see no reason why they can't, but I am rather suspicious.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[LEDadict]

I've recently been acquiring components to build my first 'proper' audio amp. For simplicity, I'm going to largely be following the Death of Zen design. Being class A it's going to need a decent power supply and that's the part I've found most problematic for two reasons: cost and working with mains voltage.

Today I came across lighting transformers which boast a much higher output power for the price compared to purely electromagnetic transformers and, to an extent, eliminate what you have to do with mains wiring down to just wiring to a plug. They also, I believe, output a more square like wave, which means less smoothing work to be done.

I've read the threads that were suggested to me when I posted this but they tended to contain differing information. So before I buy some of these to experiment with I wonder if anyone could give me some good reasons not to (or encouragement would be even better )

My main question is whether they can be run in series, since most are +/-12V (24V are available) and I would like 36V. I see no reason why they can't, but I am rather suspicious.

Thank you in advance for any help.

I do lot of experiment with electronic transformers.After all,i finaly leave that and made myself real SMPS.I suggest You don't waste Your time,but if You want to try here is my help:You can rewind trafo and get desire voltage.In most case it's 8turns in transformer with 12VAC.Here is schematic how You should made output stage:
Main problem is IT'S NEED MINIMUM LOAD TO OSCILATE!!! In other case there is no current at the output.Watch Your self,put bulb in series with main,it will prevent BOOM.
Regards

 

[TullyK]

Hello and thank you for your reply. Do you know if I where to connect the 12V side of two electronic transformers in series, would I be able to achieve a +/- 24V output?

I don't think the minimum load will be a problem for a class A amp!

When you say a bulb in series with main, is this on the input side of the transformer? Would a fused plug not be sufficient protection?

Thanks again

 

[AndrewT]

I can't read the post2 schematic.