26V DC for TPA3116D2 from 18V AC transformer

Hi ....

i have retired service of my LM1875 and decide to replace it with a TPA3116D2 board i have in handy ... origninally this old amplifier uses 26VDC optained from a toroid power transformer which has secondary of 18V AC 0 18VAC and some other bunch of lower voltages for preamp and other misc uses ... so after rectification it gives around 26V DC at no load

so at this 26V DC is it safe to operate and use it along with the TPA3116D2 module? thanks
 
Remember to account for both higher than normal mains voltages and also the fact that an 18 volt transformer will be specified at full load meaning the open circuit (or light loading) voltage is higher by factor called the 'regulation' value. That will be given in the transformer data sheet.

At face value 26 volts is at the top of the recommended range and given the above could be to closer to the 30 volt absolute maximum rating.
 
It means if the transformer is a nominal '18 volt' type then that will be at its maximum current rating into a resistive load when fed with its rated AC line voltage.

So if it is a 200va type with a regulation figure of say 5% regulation it means you get a voltage of 18.9 volts AC at low or light loads.

If the transformer has a 230 volt primary and your actual line voltage is closer to 240 then the transformer voltage rises again by a similar percentage, perhaps almost another volt.

So that 18 volt transformer could be giving nearer to 20 volts AC output.

It is up to you. 30 volts dc is the absolute maximum and 26 volts dc is the maximum recommended. Normally it is better to not push things up to the safe limits but to derate them a little.

A 15 volt transformer would probably be a safer option... but its your call 🙂
 
Don´t guess, measure [TM]

1) make a full wave rectified supply

Figure-3-Full-wave-rectifier-with-center-tapped-transformer.jpg


2) turn it ON, measure unloaded voltage.

3) load it somewhat, use a 24V truck/bus lamp , 12W to 25W or so

Measure loaded voltage.

Post both results.
 
There could be a few possibilities.

The load impedance might be to low or perhaps the supply is being modulated (its voltage is dipping to much under load) and that momentarily cause the amp to shut down.

Also 'loud' is very subjective. What really matters is what the voltage swing across the load is when this happens. That is one for a scope (and always remember that the load is not ground referenced in most Class D amps).

You could try adding a small value resistor in series with the load as a test. Try something like 3.3 to 5.6 ohm and see if the amp still shuts down.