Simple, no-math transformer snubber using Quasimodo test-jig

There are two, possibly three, mistakes in the experimental setup of #2,660

A. The sweep speed is far too slow; I expect to see something between 2 microseconds per division and 20 microseconds per division. Not 1000 usec/div

B. The scope is triggered on the rising edge; I expect to see it triggered on the falling edge. See "Triggering the Oscilloscope" on page 12 of the Quasimodo design note.

C. (??) I can't tell whether the blue horizontal line is, or isn't, the trigger voltage level. It's very close to the correct trigger level.

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There are two, possibly three, mistakes in the experimental setup of #2,660

A. The sweep speed is far too slow; I expect to see something between 2 microseconds per division and 20 microseconds per division. Not 1000 usec/div

B. The scope is triggered on the rising edge; I expect to see it triggered on the falling edge. See "Triggering the Oscilloscope" on page 12 of the Quasimodo design note.

C. (??) I can't tell whether the blue horizontal line is, or isn't, the trigger voltage level. It's very close to the correct trigger level.

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Many thanks Mark for the quick reply, I noticed my errors at the same time you wrote me.
 
Please twist the trimmer just a little bit to make the second bump (the downwards bump) maybe 1/2 of a vertical division tall, post a photo, and report the trimmer resistance which gave that photo. It may be that your resistance is perhaps a bit too low. After the photo requested here, we will know the answer.

In pictures: dial the trimmer until the second bump (yellow arrow) on your scope trace, strongly resembles the green line in Figure 10. Take a photo then report the trimmer resistance.

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Thanks again, Mark!
Now, using the correct setting I get the following graphs.
1: without snubber pot
2: with 8,5 ohms Rs

It's my first real measurement, so the inevitable question: does it look right?
Many thanks in advance.

PSX_20250516_193424.jpg


PSX_20250516_193447.jpg
 
Hi folks,

Today I received two AN-0218 transformers that I intend to use with the Zen Mod Balanced Preamp. I ran the Quasimodo jig on them and got surprisingly different results. The picture on the left looks like what I expected. Rs measures approximately 32 ohms on both secondaries. But the second transformer pictured on the right has a curve that looks different on the scope. Rs is approximately 128 ohms.

Any idea why they are so different?

Thanks,

John
 

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I don't expect the 20VA Antek's to be dramatically different than the 10VA Antek's measured in the Quasimodo results (ONLY) thread, post #163.

Double check that you haven't accidentally swapped Cx and Cs

Double check that all transformer primary wires are firmly shorted together. See QM design note Figure 13.

Double check that all secondary-not-under-test wires are shorted together

Double check that you get the same result when you swap the two secondary wires going into the green Euroblox connector marked TRANSFORMER

Double check that you're triggering on the falling edge; the pictures appear to show that you're NOT.

Double check that you're setting the triggering level appropriately: about -5.0 volts when using a 9V battery. (hint: look at top right. It's not good)

Remove the transformer wires and replace with a fixed inductor. Remove trimmer. Double check that you get a waveform with LOTS of ringing that decays pretty darn slowly
 
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Mark, I must be doing something wrong (I'm new to oscilloscopes). Capacitors C2 and C3 have the correct values in them. The dual primaries are all shorted together. The secondary not under test is shorted. I am now triggering on falling edge. The trigger level is set at -5.0 V. I'm using a linear supply set to 9.0 VDC. Probe and scope are set to 10X. Reversing the wires of the secondary under test has no impact.

I am not getting any recognizable waveform at these setting when I force a trigger.

I haven't tried attaching any inductor yet. I have a small coil that was a trial inductor for the Wolverine build. I trust that it will serve the purpose.

Any suggestions would be appreciated,

John
 
I replaced the transformer with a fixed inductor. With the same settings on the scope you can see what appears on the scope. Not sure what I'm doing wrong here, but I suspect I don't have my scope set up correctly.

John
 

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Don't be afraid to turn the voltage and time division knobs. You can't hurt anything. I find it works best to turn the time division until I get something then adjust the voltage. Of course, sometimes I get nothing with that, so change the voltage a couple up or down and try again, rinse and repeat if necessary. I notice your scope has an auto set, also try that, although on mine it doesn't work with the quasimodo, I have to manually set it.
 
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I continue to be flummoxed. I went back to my 500 Va Toroidy transformer with 50 V secondaries. The scope is set to trigger on falling edge. R5 is set to about 22 ohms which seemed to get me the correctly damped curve when I measured it a couple of weeks ago. Now all I can dial in is what you see in the picture below. I'm doing something wrong.

John
 

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