Aleph3 voltage problem
- Thread starter kasra
- Start date
Thank you for the reply MR. Pass
Before i changed R111 and R113 all the values was spread from 0,2-0,39. So when i made the change q108 and q109 matched suddenly. So i thought perhaps it was possible to something to make the other q´s to get same value.
Im not so good at these things but is it OK for the transistor to run @ 0.6?
best regards - kasra
Before i changed R111 and R113 all the values was spread from 0,2-0,39. So when i made the change q108 and q109 matched suddenly. So i thought perhaps it was possible to something to make the other q´s to get same value.
Im not so good at these things but is it OK for the transistor to run @ 0.6?
best regards - kasra
I have just finished two ALEPH3 channel's (had a small problem, see aleph3 problem thread) and found the following:
Meticulous matching pays off. I have my output FETS matched within 0.01 Volt. Try to keep conditions as similar as possible when doing the matching. When the FET is in the testcircuit it tends to heat up and Vgs starts drifting. You can see this if you measure a FET for 5 minutes. Write down the measured Vgs every minute.
If you decide to swap FETS, swap them in pairs. So Q106 and Q107 in one swap or Q108 and Q109 in another.
I have also matched the 5W source resistors using a milliohm meter. I found the spread in these quite large.
The ones I use are UTM 0.47 Ohm +/- 10% tolerance. When I measured these it looked more like +/- 20% tolerance
Voltage across R120..R123 in my first channel is now
0.49, 0.50, 0.49, 0.49 V respectivly. In the second channel voltages are 0.53, 0.53, 0.54, 0.53 V. All measurement taken after an hour playtime for the channel, so speaker and CD connected.
I also checked the temperature for each transistor: 51C (degrees centigrade) where sink temperature was 39C and ambient temperature was 22C.
It goes without saying that proper mounting of the FETS is essential, specially in any class A design with paralled output devices. When there is imperfect mounting differences like you describe could occur. But then this is easily verified with a temperature meter. Fixing it will probably be a little more difficult.
Please do not take your measurements when the ALEPH is cold. You will get funny results.
Hope this helps a little
Meticulous matching pays off. I have my output FETS matched within 0.01 Volt. Try to keep conditions as similar as possible when doing the matching. When the FET is in the testcircuit it tends to heat up and Vgs starts drifting. You can see this if you measure a FET for 5 minutes. Write down the measured Vgs every minute.
If you decide to swap FETS, swap them in pairs. So Q106 and Q107 in one swap or Q108 and Q109 in another.
I have also matched the 5W source resistors using a milliohm meter. I found the spread in these quite large.
The ones I use are UTM 0.47 Ohm +/- 10% tolerance. When I measured these it looked more like +/- 20% tolerance
Voltage across R120..R123 in my first channel is now
0.49, 0.50, 0.49, 0.49 V respectivly. In the second channel voltages are 0.53, 0.53, 0.54, 0.53 V. All measurement taken after an hour playtime for the channel, so speaker and CD connected.
I also checked the temperature for each transistor: 51C (degrees centigrade) where sink temperature was 39C and ambient temperature was 22C.
It goes without saying that proper mounting of the FETS is essential, specially in any class A design with paralled output devices. When there is imperfect mounting differences like you describe could occur. But then this is easily verified with a temperature meter. Fixing it will probably be a little more difficult.
Please do not take your measurements when the ALEPH is cold. You will get funny results.
Hope this helps a little
Is the 0.6V over R120..123 each? Do you take the measurements after an hour or so? What are the new values for R111 and R113?
I would not worry to much about 0.6V as long as all resistors, R120..R123 that is, show the same value. That case you know for sure each IRFP has the same amount of work to do.
If the temperature of your heatsinks remain reasonable i.e. less than 50 degrees centigrade, I would say enjoy the music.
I would not worry to much about 0.6V as long as all resistors, R120..R123 that is, show the same value. That case you know for sure each IRFP has the same amount of work to do.
If the temperature of your heatsinks remain reasonable i.e. less than 50 degrees centigrade, I would say enjoy the music.
The measuring was taken over the 0.47 resistors. I had changed R111 and R113 to 4.75kohm and 221kohm, as you described.
On the first channel i got vales around 0.50v on the second i got values around 0.6v
For the first channel i was using bc550 and for the second channel ZTX... Could this be the problem?
So if one channel runs @ 0.5 and the other @ 0.6 thats no problems?
Best regards - kasra
On the first channel i got vales around 0.50v on the second i got values around 0.6v
For the first channel i was using bc550 and for the second channel ZTX... Could this be the problem?
So if one channel runs @ 0.5 and the other @ 0.6 thats no problems?
Best regards - kasra
I build Aleph3 and found the Matching MOSFET is some kind of difficult. And few kinds of method for VGS measurements.
1. Use a power resistor to measurement it individual with same current & temp.
2. Use an Aleph3 circuit with only one Pair of IRFP240. Also individually.
3. Measurements it on real Aleph3 circuit. Check VGS on site.
Actually I do it step by step. Then, I can get closest VGS & Voltage over Source Resistor.
I got 16 of IRFP240 & Use 12 of them for my stereo Aleph3. I set 0.4V over 0.49ohm resistor (2W, 2%). All of the effort returns by Music. I am very enjoying it now. I think in such simple circuitry, have to control the performance by components quality & lots of matching works. Also more current is better.
1. Use a power resistor to measurement it individual with same current & temp.
2. Use an Aleph3 circuit with only one Pair of IRFP240. Also individually.
3. Measurements it on real Aleph3 circuit. Check VGS on site.
Actually I do it step by step. Then, I can get closest VGS & Voltage over Source Resistor.
I got 16 of IRFP240 & Use 12 of them for my stereo Aleph3. I set 0.4V over 0.49ohm resistor (2W, 2%). All of the effort returns by Music. I am very enjoying it now. I think in such simple circuitry, have to control the performance by components quality & lots of matching works. Also more current is better.
Kasra,
One channel running with 0.5V over each resistor and 0.6V in the other channel is fine by me.
Yes, I suspect this is partialy a consequence of using the BC550C in one channel and a ZTX450 in the other. Their is a noticable difference in gain for both transistors, so it is very likely to have an effect on the DC setting of the current source circuit. I don't think this is a negative effect. Actually a little more quiescent current in the ALEPH is probably a benefit. I know this small diffence will not have significant sonic effect.
So go ahead, and enjoy your ALEPH
Regards
One channel running with 0.5V over each resistor and 0.6V in the other channel is fine by me.
Yes, I suspect this is partialy a consequence of using the BC550C in one channel and a ZTX450 in the other. Their is a noticable difference in gain for both transistors, so it is very likely to have an effect on the DC setting of the current source circuit. I don't think this is a negative effect. Actually a little more quiescent current in the ALEPH is probably a benefit. I know this small diffence will not have significant sonic effect.
So go ahead, and enjoy your ALEPH
Regards