Diodes on power supply output for voltage drop?

bst · 11th July 2007, 01:06 AM

I recently got a deal on several cased power supplies. Each is regulated at 13.8 volts and 4 amps. Can I simply put diodes on the supply and return terminals to drop the voltage? If I have two 5A diodes, each with a voltage drop of 0.7 volts, it would seem that I'd drop the voltage from 13.8 to 12.6; right where I want it for a regulated DC heater supply.

Is it this simple, or am I creating a problem for myself? Is a dropping resistor a better option, or should I tear these supplies apart and change the resistor which sets the regulator output?

Thanks for your help.

Colt45 · 11th July 2007, 01:12 AM

It would work

keep in mind there will be pretty big surge when you first light the filaments, might pop the diodes.

refference · 11th July 2007, 01:17 AM

The answer is : YES

Diodes is a very good way to drop CC voltage .

Put the series diodes only in the positive rail , do not put them in the negative rail .

Regarding to eliminate any noise , put a parallel capacitor ( may
be ceramic 0.001 uf x 50 V ) , with each diode .

Regards ,

Carlos

bst · 11th July 2007, 01:29 AM

Thanks for your replies! I'll have to go back to the surplus store and buy several more: at $3 apiece, it looks like they'll be a wonderful bargain.

Jim McShane · 11th July 2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Colt45
It would work

keep in mind there will be pretty big surge when you first light the filaments, might pop the diodes.

I doubt it. The surge rating on those diodes is quite high, even a IN400* has a 30 amp surge rating.

r221b · 12th July 2007, 03:25 PM

One thing to remember is that while using diodes to drop the voltage, when the voltage is DC (which it is in your case), the diodes will get very hot if you pass any substantial current through them. Diodes of this type are normally used to rectify AC current and are "on" only half of the time. That allows them to cool down between each conduction cycle. If you're going to run a few amps through your diodes, you might have to add some heat sinking to them. Or at least make sure they have plenty of ventillation around them. Good luck.

r221b

Tom Bavis · 12th July 2007, 03:39 PM

While you're at the surplus store, pick up a few full-wave bridge rectifiers with 10-25A rating. Easy to heatsink with a single screw for mounting, and already insulated. And two series diodes or one by choosing the right terminals.

Even easier - if you look inside, you MIGHT find an adjustment pot...

alejo · 12th July 2007, 04:54 PM

Bst, I imagine the power supplies you buy is for halogen lamps. If is this case think the supplies dont use transformer, there use solid state its not safe. not isolate for the main AC in your house.
sorry for my bad English.

11th July 2007, 01:06 AM	#1
bst diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Diodes on power supply output for voltage drop? I recently got a deal on several cased power supplies. Each is regulated at 13.8 volts and 4 amps. Can I simply put diodes on the supply and return terminals to drop the voltage? If I have two 5A diodes, each with a voltage drop of 0.7 volts, it would seem that I'd drop the voltage from 13.8 to 12.6; right where I want it for a regulated DC heater supply. Is it this simple, or am I creating a problem for myself? Is a dropping resistor a better option, or should I tear these supplies apart and change the resistor which sets the regulator output? Thanks for your help.

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11th July 2007, 01:12 AM	#2
Colt45 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada	It would work keep in mind there will be pretty big surge when you first light the filaments, might pop the diodes.

11th July 2007, 01:17 AM	#3
refference diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SAO PAULO - SP	The answer is : YES Diodes is a very good way to drop CC voltage . Put the series diodes only in the positive rail , do not put them in the negative rail . Regarding to eliminate any noise , put a parallel capacitor ( may be ceramic 0.001 uf x 50 V ) , with each diode . Regards , Carlos

11th July 2007, 01:29 AM	#4
bst diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Thanks for your replies! I'll have to go back to the surplus store and buy several more: at $3 apiece, it looks like they'll be a wonderful bargain.

12th July 2007, 03:25 PM	#6
r221b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	One thing to remember is that while using diodes to drop the voltage, when the voltage is DC (which it is in your case), the diodes will get very hot if you pass any substantial current through them. Diodes of this type are normally used to rectify AC current and are "on" only half of the time. That allows them to cool down between each conduction cycle. If you're going to run a few amps through your diodes, you might have to add some heat sinking to them. Or at least make sure they have plenty of ventillation around them. Good luck. r221b

12th July 2007, 03:39 PM	#7
Tom Bavis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Macedon NY	While you're at the surplus store, pick up a few full-wave bridge rectifiers with 10-25A rating. Easy to heatsink with a single screw for mounting, and already insulated. And two series diodes or one by choosing the right terminals. Even easier - if you look inside, you MIGHT find an adjustment pot...

12th July 2007, 04:54 PM	#8
alejo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: bs.as.	Bst, I imagine the power supplies you buy is for halogen lamps. If is this case think the supplies dont use transformer, there use solid state its not safe. not isolate for the main AC in your house. sorry for my bad English.

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