i know im probably the LAST person on earth that should be writing a guide to the UCD's, but it needs to be done. its ridiculous having 100+ page threads with information buried every 20 pages. it needs to be consolidated.
ive broke it down into these sections:
basics
power supply
grounding and wiring
cases and layout
tweaks
each section can be expanded on of course. i will need a LOT of help to figure it all out and fill in all the sections. currently im working on the tweaking section because im just trying to consolidate the information in the 50+ page hotrodding thread. i dont plan on telling people what exactly to do, but more of what parts can be upgraded for a sonic improvement, where they are, and what value you need, and whats been suggested.
so, i would appreciate any feedback anyone has and i welcome anyone that would like to send me some information to fill a section in! it will take me forever to get it all together, but i like what nuuk did with decibel dungeon and the gainclone. i like the idea of simple diagrams and simple how-to's on building the amp. the UCD's are pretty specific so i think something similar could be done.
you can goto my website and click on "UCD 400", or go here directly:
http://www.cowanrg.mesanetworks.net/projects/ucd_400.htm
there isnt much in there yet, except for in the tweaking section. i only spent about 1 hour on it so far.
ive broke it down into these sections:
basics
power supply
grounding and wiring
cases and layout
tweaks
each section can be expanded on of course. i will need a LOT of help to figure it all out and fill in all the sections. currently im working on the tweaking section because im just trying to consolidate the information in the 50+ page hotrodding thread. i dont plan on telling people what exactly to do, but more of what parts can be upgraded for a sonic improvement, where they are, and what value you need, and whats been suggested.
so, i would appreciate any feedback anyone has and i welcome anyone that would like to send me some information to fill a section in! it will take me forever to get it all together, but i like what nuuk did with decibel dungeon and the gainclone. i like the idea of simple diagrams and simple how-to's on building the amp. the UCD's are pretty specific so i think something similar could be done.
you can goto my website and click on "UCD 400", or go here directly:
http://www.cowanrg.mesanetworks.net/projects/ucd_400.htm
there isnt much in there yet, except for in the tweaking section. i only spent about 1 hour on it so far.
Whew! Talk about ambitious. May I commend you on your rather immense undertaking.
The site looks great, off to a good start. I don't know if you'll ever get it all in there though, wow.
My only fear is the commercial guys use it against us, in some form or other.
I think you'll need some co-operation from Hypex on this as the modules change with time? Then it could be the "Official FAQ". Or at least clearly state exactly what versions you're referring to in each case and others can chime in with updates themselves for different versions etc.
For the tweaks please include all the relevant info on lead spacing, and a warning not to mess with the high ESR caps.
Maybe in certain cases it would be good to have links to particular posts or websites. For instance with the power supply section there's so many options... A quick schematic of a very basic one, a link to TNT design articles, and another to zerodistortion.com for the same would be all you need. An added bonus would be a link to that snubber thread which had very extensive experimentation done. Make it easy for yourself where you can.
If you want to go more in depth than that I fear you'll be compiling books.
Solder tips section would be cool. Maybe a projects page too?
You're welcome to use my posts on grounding or whatever if it helps.
Good luck with it.
Chris
The site looks great, off to a good start. I don't know if you'll ever get it all in there though, wow.
My only fear is the commercial guys use it against us, in some form or other.
I think you'll need some co-operation from Hypex on this as the modules change with time? Then it could be the "Official FAQ". Or at least clearly state exactly what versions you're referring to in each case and others can chime in with updates themselves for different versions etc.
For the tweaks please include all the relevant info on lead spacing, and a warning not to mess with the high ESR caps.
Maybe in certain cases it would be good to have links to particular posts or websites. For instance with the power supply section there's so many options... A quick schematic of a very basic one, a link to TNT design articles, and another to zerodistortion.com for the same would be all you need. An added bonus would be a link to that snubber thread which had very extensive experimentation done. Make it easy for yourself where you can.
If you want to go more in depth than that I fear you'll be compiling books.
Solder tips section would be cool. Maybe a projects page too?
You're welcome to use my posts on grounding or whatever if it helps.
Good luck with it.
Chris
well, you pretty much read my mind, all the things you mentioned i had planned on doing, except for the soldering tutorial. im sure there is one somewhere (maybe nuuk's site?) or maybe someone could provide one.
im not sure what you mean that commercial guys could use it against us? are you saying they would look at the info on the site and start selling amps that use those ideas? well, none of us DIY'ers are looking to go into business, so its not like it would be competition.
i will eventually have different versions of the modules listed. right now, im concentrating on the UCD-400AD. its of course the ones i have. BUT, the basics section, power supply section (for the most part), grounding and wiring, and case/layout is all pretty universal. power supplies will differ for all the modules, but i plan on listing that. for instance, an XXX VA transformer is needed for a single 180AD, a XXX VA for the 400AD, and bruno recommends 6750uf per rail, blah blah blah. THEN i can get into cap recommendations, bypass caps, diodes, etc. but the basics is what im starting with.
the tweaks section is where im starting as you all can see. im doing this not because its most important, but because there is a lot of clear information to compile. i plan on doing lead spacing, component sizing, original values, and recommended types of components. i might even do a little 1-5 scales of benefit. so, the input caps would be a "5" on the scale of sonic improvement, where upgrading the filter cap would be like a 1 or a 2.
i also plan to hunt down particular posts and threads regarding all these things so people can read the discusssions on their own. i dont want it to be a standalone guide. i want it to be a skeleton where people can find the framework, and then the links for background information and further reading.
i really dont plan on going into any real depth on issues concerning snubbers, cap selection, etc. i just plan on having links to the relevant parts of the discussions, so people can learn for themselves.
its going to be a changing guide that will always be a work in progress. but maybe with some help, it could at least be usable pretty soon. im sure you and others could write some good pieces for the sections.
OH, i want to add a gallery, or at least a set of links for completed or in progress UCD's. it would be nice to see what other people are doing or have done.
SO, that the plan. i will probably be using this thread to ask questions and ask for help, so please please please email me if you have something to contribute or if there is something i missed.
im not sure what you mean that commercial guys could use it against us? are you saying they would look at the info on the site and start selling amps that use those ideas? well, none of us DIY'ers are looking to go into business, so its not like it would be competition.
i will eventually have different versions of the modules listed. right now, im concentrating on the UCD-400AD. its of course the ones i have. BUT, the basics section, power supply section (for the most part), grounding and wiring, and case/layout is all pretty universal. power supplies will differ for all the modules, but i plan on listing that. for instance, an XXX VA transformer is needed for a single 180AD, a XXX VA for the 400AD, and bruno recommends 6750uf per rail, blah blah blah. THEN i can get into cap recommendations, bypass caps, diodes, etc. but the basics is what im starting with.
the tweaks section is where im starting as you all can see. im doing this not because its most important, but because there is a lot of clear information to compile. i plan on doing lead spacing, component sizing, original values, and recommended types of components. i might even do a little 1-5 scales of benefit. so, the input caps would be a "5" on the scale of sonic improvement, where upgrading the filter cap would be like a 1 or a 2.
i also plan to hunt down particular posts and threads regarding all these things so people can read the discusssions on their own. i dont want it to be a standalone guide. i want it to be a skeleton where people can find the framework, and then the links for background information and further reading.
i really dont plan on going into any real depth on issues concerning snubbers, cap selection, etc. i just plan on having links to the relevant parts of the discussions, so people can learn for themselves.
its going to be a changing guide that will always be a work in progress. but maybe with some help, it could at least be usable pretty soon. im sure you and others could write some good pieces for the sections.
OH, i want to add a gallery, or at least a set of links for completed or in progress UCD's. it would be nice to see what other people are doing or have done.
SO, that the plan. i will probably be using this thread to ask questions and ask for help, so please please please email me if you have something to contribute or if there is something i missed.
Hi,
I like your plan for it but I think.... maybe.... try to not to make it too much of a no brainer. Provide the info in such a way that at least a few things are left up to the individual to decide... just can't remove the DIY joy of wondering if, being brave enough to try.... and the "wow, that worked good". I dunno just my view, let em find the info and arrive to their own conclusions in at least some cases.
A link to some SMD soldering tips would more than suffice.
Still, a good idea and I like your plan.
Regards,
Chris
I like your plan for it but I think.... maybe.... try to not to make it too much of a no brainer. Provide the info in such a way that at least a few things are left up to the individual to decide... just can't remove the DIY joy of wondering if, being brave enough to try.... and the "wow, that worked good". I dunno just my view, let em find the info and arrive to their own conclusions in at least some cases.
A link to some SMD soldering tips would more than suffice.
Still, a good idea and I like your plan.
Regards,
Chris
oh, for sure.
it wont be like "use this cap, here is the link, here's how much it costs". i dont want to do that. i want to give people options and the necessary inbformation to try their own ideas.
it wont be like "use this cap, here is the link, here's how much it costs". i dont want to do that. i want to give people options and the necessary inbformation to try their own ideas.
cowanrg-
Here are a couple of tidbits for your guide. Nothing earthshaking, mind you, but if I can save you looking something up you can spend more time on the real meat and potatoes.
Mounting:
The mounting holes on the heat sink are tapped for 5mm screws (0.5mm thread pitch). The heat sink is 8mm thick, so the supplied screws (10mm long) are suitable for mounting to panels up to about 7mm thick. However, people using thinner panels might also want to consider getting replacement screws with round heads instead of countersunk (these can be found in decent hardware stores even in the US). If you're drilling the mounting holes by hand, this will allow you to be less precise while avoiding having the heads unattractively off-center in the counter bores.
Switching:
If you're using the Hypex softstart module and a pushbutton switch, the unit powers up in the ON mode. This might not be the best idea if you are subject to frequent power failures since it will try to come ON whenever power is applied. Also, if one connection of your switch shorts to the case (or you're using a 3mm mono jack to a remote contact) the terminal closer to the jumpers can be shorted to the case, but the terminal farther from the jumpers cannot.
Good luck with the guide… thanks for undertaking this effort!
-Bill
Here are a couple of tidbits for your guide. Nothing earthshaking, mind you, but if I can save you looking something up you can spend more time on the real meat and potatoes.
Mounting:
The mounting holes on the heat sink are tapped for 5mm screws (0.5mm thread pitch). The heat sink is 8mm thick, so the supplied screws (10mm long) are suitable for mounting to panels up to about 7mm thick. However, people using thinner panels might also want to consider getting replacement screws with round heads instead of countersunk (these can be found in decent hardware stores even in the US). If you're drilling the mounting holes by hand, this will allow you to be less precise while avoiding having the heads unattractively off-center in the counter bores.
Switching:
If you're using the Hypex softstart module and a pushbutton switch, the unit powers up in the ON mode. This might not be the best idea if you are subject to frequent power failures since it will try to come ON whenever power is applied. Also, if one connection of your switch shorts to the case (or you're using a 3mm mono jack to a remote contact) the terminal closer to the jumpers can be shorted to the case, but the terminal farther from the jumpers cannot.
Good luck with the guide… thanks for undertaking this effort!
-Bill
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