Running amps unloaded

Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.
Why should there be any problems running a solid state amplifier with no load on the output? I know tube amps need loading at all times, I think to prevent voltage spikes being fed into the output stage due to ringing in the transformer.

Some people may remember reading about my difficulties with the Velleman K4005 amp - I have since been told that the amp kept overheating because I was conducting my tests with the unit unloaded. Is this poor design or a common phenomenon? I run my P3A amp in “mute” mode (i.e. no speakers connected) for hours on end, and it doesn’t bat an eyelid. Can someone explain this more fully to me?

Thanks,
Tim.
 
Yeah, 's what I thought. The technician I spoke to at my eletronics supplier justified the Velleman amp's problem by saying many professional amplifiers have circuits to simulate minimum loading. I don't remember seeing any of these circuits, and I have run several PA amps with only one channel loaded or not loaded at all (i.e. in a redundant amp in a large rack), with no difficulties. Does anybody have any further thoughts?
 
Running Amps Unloaded

Running valve amps in an unloaded state can generate quite large voltages within the transformer windings, breaking down the insulation.

When I worked with auto electrics, running an alternator without a battery load usually burnt out the stator and the explanation the Lucas technicians gave was that the harmonics generated a voltage increase greater than the insulation could withstand.

Of course, transistor amplifiers are quite safe, or should be, without a load.

Cheers,

Les
 
There should not be any problems with running solid state power amps without any load connected.

But in reality, sometimes its better or even necessary.

I have comes across power amps that are marginally stable. One particular brand comes instantly to mind, a well respected name surprisingly.

With this particular amp, with a scope, one can observe clearly what resembles like little water droplets riding on the output sine wave when no load is connected.

Connect a resistive load or a speaker, it disappears.

Maybe it is due to manufacturing faults, or perhaps the design leaves a lot to be desired.

Whatever the case may be, if a solid state power amplifier needs to be connected to a load to be stable, I don't think it is a very good design, regardless of how it sounds. Sound engineering comes first.

Regards
mcp
 
Thanks for the replies.

I am annoyed that the Velleman K4005 amp I built enters thermal runaway when unloaded. It seems this is not just a problem with my kit - I sent the unit back to my supplier to be checked, they tested it OK, justifying the problem by saying many amps require a speaker load for stability.

Interestingly, Velleman provides spaces on the PCB for a Zobel network, but does not include the components. I tried mounting some I had spare (10 ohm resistor, and 100nF cap), but this did not help its stability. I am now left with an amp that self destructs should the speaker lead get disconnected - ironic since the kit has protection from almost any other fault (shorted speaker lead, reverse supply polarity, etc.)

Thanks again,
Tim.
 
I think your Velleman kit is pretty unstable and gets into some kind of self oscillation without a speaker load. I believe there was a discussion some time ago about commercial amps that relied on "badly built" powersupplies to remain stable, making it impossible to rebuild it and make it sound better.

Well, good luck though. I hope this isn't your last attempt in the DIY field.

Best regards,
//magnus
 
"Well, good luck though. I hope this isn't your last attempt in the DIY field."

Heh, it won't be - the Velleman amp was only for a very small PA rig I am building up. I shall build a pair of bridged LM3886 amps (yup, it is that small) instead. The reson why I am so keen on chip based amps (the Velleman kit used the hybrid TDA7250), is that they offer built in protection from nasties such as speaker lead shorts, thermal overload, etc. With a portable setup, I figure its only a matter of time until the output gets shorted for some reason, or someone drives the amp into thermal overload. With a limiter to protect the speakers and National Semi's SPIKE protection for the chips, I figure I can make an (electrically at least) indestructable setup for party duty!

Thanks again,
Tim.
 
Hi Tim

See that you are still having problems with the Velleman kit. Here is my schematic using the tda7250:cool: You may like to cross reference with the kit to see where the problem is.

Regards
Mike
 

Attachments

  • tda7250.jpg
    tda7250.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 1,129
pin5

According to the datasheet, Pin5 is used for standby, mute or play mode. The way I have configured it, it acts as a delay power up (or what is commonly called a "soft-start"). On powering up, it will wait for a split second before it switches on the amplifier. This overcomes the problem of popping due to sparking at the power switch.
 
Hi

I see that this thread has resurfaced - I was having all of these problems with my Velleman kit last year. If you're interested, I never did get the amp to behave, and it is sitting in my junk box until I can find a use for its large heatsink / enclosure.

I have built my LM3886 PA amp though, here's a pic.

I used two of Rod Elliot's P19 boards, one for each channel. The bridged LM3886 amps are running in dual mono configuration, powered from a 25-0-25V 300VA toroidal transformer. There is a limiter circuit mounted on the front panel, built on my PCB whose layout I posted here a while ago. The amp produces 100W into an 8 ohm load before the limiter kicks in, and gives plenty of volume (noise?) with my cheapo 15" 96dB fullrange disco speaker cabs.

There is an 80mm 24V fan running via a resistor and a 50 degree 'cut-in' from one of the supply rails. This cools the main heatsink, and since the LM3886 chips are mounted directly onto the heatsink (which is isolated from the chassis), the chips never activate their thermal protection under normal use.
 

Attachments

  • lm3886_inside.jpg
    lm3886_inside.jpg
    86.4 KB · Views: 880
Thanks, Circlotron!

Here's an alternative view.

Rod wasn't sure about using the chips at their full rated power into what is effectively a 4 ohm load. I used direct heatsink mounting, a large fan, and a limiter to help with this, and the chips do indeed perform OK.

See ya,
Tim.
 

Attachments

  • lm3886_alt.jpg
    lm3886_alt.jpg
    29.1 KB · Views: 799
Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.