Newbee build: PA03 amp (LM4780)

@vgarambone

Most people building the PA03 choose for the non-inverted mode. This is the PA03 as a normal stereo amp. Below is a picture from Peranders website. But as it is a very versatile board there are more ways that lead to Rome.
 

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I'm a bit confused about the input connection in JP2 and JP3, though.

Why all of you guys soldered jumper pins here? Can't you just solder the inputs directly to these points?
I think you will discover why when you start soldering. I recommend that you take a look at the schematics. There you will see that +INL, -INL, +INR and +INR shall be connected in a certain way. You must always have two jumpers so also connecting the input wires there is a bit hard.
 
Thanks, clog. The image you posted showed me how I'll connect the input wires.

I was going to replicate the connections from your build anyway.

But I always try to understand things first.

The schematics and the text explanation from PD's documents are still unclear to me.

I'll just follow the image and I'm sure it will sound great.

I'll proudly post pictures as soon as the components arrive.
 

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Hi clog. I'm also building a PA03. Any chance that you used a BLOCK RTE transfomer.

If yes, is the wiring on your image (on page 3 in this thread) the correct wiring of the transformer
3 -> Black
4 -> Red
5 -> Orange
6 -> Grey

Yes this is a Block transformer and the wiring you see on the first picture in page 3 is the correct wiring. As Peranders told me “one winding with dot to ground and the other winding "no dot" to ground”. Also check the enclosed pdf file.
 

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thanks, i thought so too. what i ended up connecting them in the order from the BLOCK RTE data sheet as i wanted to do it initially. your post on page 3 has made me unsure, where you mentioned someone bricking his rectifiers.

3 -> red
4 -> black .
5 -> grey
6 -> orange .

voltages look good so far. just waiting for the heatsink, so i can finish them electrically and get some sound out of it.

next steps -> chassis, diy speakers and preamp
 
Yesterday i finished the heatsink and was ready to test my PA03.

Without any input signal and load it gets pretty hot and requires around 110W. No relay is switching.

TP1 -> 11.99V
TP2 -> -12.01V

TP3 -> -0.04V
TP4 -> -29,6V

My first thought is that i shortened something aroung th LM4780. Any clues where to look for my mistake are highly appreciated!
 
Ragerino, to help you better I think we need some detailed pictures from front and solder side of the pcb. Remember that if the LM4780 is not isolated from the heatsink, there is negative DC on the sink. Furthermore one of the excellent tips I got here is the use of a bulb tester to prevent things from burning at first power on and subsequent testing. Also check the board for correct placement of components, cold solder joints and solder bridges.
 
Ragerino, to help you better I think we need some detailed pictures from front and solder side of the pcb. Remember that if the LM4780 is not isolated from the heatsink, there is negative DC on the sink. Furthermore one of the excellent tips I got here is the use of a bulb tester to prevent things from burning at first power on and subsequent testing. Also check the board for correct placement of components, cold solder joints and solder bridges.

this website says "The heatsink is floating which means that the LM4780 doesn't need any insulation but heat compound is need to ensure proper heat transfer."

see -> sjostromaudio.com

Here's some photos of my PA03 -> Album
 
Ragerino looking at your pictures there's something I noticed. When I solder a component I like to see that a little bit of solder is flowing through the vias to the other side of the board to prevent having a cold joint. When you for instance look at the left and right pins of your LM on the component side of the board it looks suspect. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in here.