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#500 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 00:11
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you said your supply is 0-3A so what if the load actually requires more than 3A? how can the design limit that without CC circuit being activated?
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#501 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 00:29
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It goes into CC mode as soon as the current drawn reaches 3A or whatever it's set to below 3A. If your load requires more current you need a bigger power supply.
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#502 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 00:46
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I understood the thing as follows: there is an already 3v on the comparator as a limit made by the designer, so the moment the supply is on, this set voltage is fed into the current limit comparator (assuming 3v = 3a). The the user may pick any value he wants if he wanted say like 2A. Is this correct? where can I see this in the circuit (the preset of the assumed 3v voltage)?
BTW, this current limiting circuit didn't work in LTSpice. Is this the case for you?
thanks
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#503 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 01:12
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For the latest schematic the CC loop is built into IC35 and a DAC (IC39) is used to set the current limit. R33 is used by both IC35 and IC36 as the current sense resistor.
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#504 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 01:19
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For the latest schematic the CC loop is built into IC35 and a DAC (IC39) is used to set the current limit. R33 is used by both IC35 and IC36 as the current sense resistor.
i mean does the dac outputs max limit by default from the start (by software) or what is the way?
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#505 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 01:25
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i mean does the dac outputs max limit by default from the start (by software) or what is the way?
The DAC output voltage is controlled by software. I assume it outputs 0V at start-up but I haven't read the datasheet.
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#506 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 01:50
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Well, if the design outputs 0v at startup and by default then it is not limited to 3A at all.
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#507 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 04:00
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In fact it is. Take a look through the LT3741 datasheet. Output current is determined by the shunt resistor (R33 in this case) and the voltage at the CTRL1 or CTRL2 pins.
For this particular application prasimix chose the value for R33 for a maximum current of 3A. In that case the CTRL pin voltage will be 1.5V. According to the satasheet anything higher than 1.5V will not set the current any higher. If you would want to set the current limit to 1A you'd have to apply 0.5V to the CTRL pins, for 2A it would be 1V, etc.
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#508 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 06:32
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I am seeing the consolidated pdf and I_Set is coming from this DAC: DAC8552IDGKTG4 which I don't see the said resistors so maybe it is just software.
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#509 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 24 Nov, 2016 07:35
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Isn't the INA282 a bit overkill? I mean with 20uV offset it's really accurate but it's also quite pricey. I assume you wanted to share R33 from the LT3741.
Nice point void_error. It's a bit of overkill. It's not necessary that R33 is shared I just find it convenient not to introduce another shunt resistor. Hopefully it will works as is, I mean current monitor inputs shouldn't interfere with LT3741 inputs. In not I'll add another shunt resistor.
Do you have any other device on mind? Perhaps
INA199, it's very cheap and TME have it.
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#510 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 07:59
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Nice point void_error. It's a bit of overkill. It's not necessary that R33 is shared I just find it convenient not to introduce another shunt resistor. Hopefully it will works as is, I mean current monitor inputs shouldn't interfere with LT3741 inputs. In not I'll add another shunt resistor.
Do you have any other device on mind? Perhaps INA199, it's very cheap and TME have it.
I was also looking at a TI part. The INA199 seems to be ok, typical offset of 5uV and 150uV max.
As far as distributors go I found one for Farnell that also sells to individuals for my country (see flag) so I'm not limited to TME anymore. I'll drop the link
here just in case anyone is interested. Haven't ordered anything from them yet.
Other than that I have a question: How did you figure out the down programmer? Got any tips?
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#511 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 24 Nov, 2016 08:04
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@VEGETA: Current limit indeed works in LTspice if you read datasheet and see what to change. See for example half-scale (2.5 A) simulation:
Please also read once again
#498 to learn that we are talking here about new proposal: a 3rd channel that will accompany existing two power channel. Therefore referring to DAC8552 that resides on Power board is not applicable here. DAC what is proposed for this channel is MCP4822.
Also take note that R33 is set for max. current of 5 A not 3 A (check LT3741 datasheet pg.13).
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#512 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 24 Nov, 2016 08:10
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Other than that I have a question: How did you figure out the down programmer? Got any tips?
Actually cannot say anything meaningful. That part comes directly from Liv
design.
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#513 Reply
Posted by
void_error
on 24 Nov, 2016 19:58
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With a bit of help from a few forum members I managed to figure it out. The way Liv has drawn it it looks more like a class AB amplifier which can source a few times more current than it can sink and it also acts like one. It appears to be a very stable design and similar to what's used in a few HP/Agilent/Keysight/whatever power supplies. I managed to tweak it so it works with BJTs instead of MOSFETs because it's easier to parallel them for linear operation.
I also did some simulations on the circuit and they can be found
here if anyone is curious.
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#514 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 24 Nov, 2016 22:10
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Ok, can you post a CV CC simulation in LTSpice that works?
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#515 Reply
Posted by
Jbates58
on 26 Nov, 2016 12:19
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hi all
just wondering if it was to make this PSU (as i am looking for a decent bench PSU for my next toy) i am just wondering what i can do in reguards to beefing up the current?
i do a fair bit of auto motive stuff and would love to be able to push up to 20ish amps. more would be even better. but i am unsure what to do to beef it up to do that.
cheers
Jason
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#516 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 26 Nov, 2016 12:52
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Current design allows MCU controlled paralleling of two channels to get 10 A output.
Beefing up could include the following:
- Pre-regulator: Paralleling Q1 and decrease shunt resistor R2, change power inductor L2 with one that has higher Irms and Isat or paralleling two of them with higher inductance or with same inductance but higher switching frequency. L3 and L4 has to be changed to withstand higher current or you can remove that filtering section.
- Post-regulator: Change current shunt resistor value (R69) and/or change current monitor (IC8) gain. It's quite possible that paralleling of Q4 will be also required or you can lower voltage range to e.g. 30 V to have a better SOA margin of the currently selected mosfet.
If you succeed to push both channel to 10 A with paralleling you will get 20 A. BTW, firmware support any voltage and current range, it's a question of changing few constants in the config file.
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#517 Reply
Posted by
KarolNi
on 30 Nov, 2016 18:15
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Hey mates!
I'm thinking about new bench supply. Do you know anything about crowdsourced buy, yet? Might be p'n'p or kit.
Cheers
KarolNi
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#518 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 30 Nov, 2016 22:10
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Thanks for asking. Everything is delayed because of weird situation with sending one unit to CS guys for preparing promotional video and sending it around for reviews. It reached their address three weeks ago, and US post send it back the same day because shipping address is supposedly not correct! And it's now who knows where. I have another two but I cannot send any of them because we need it for firmware development and testing. So we'll probably not continue as initially planned and launch campaign without any 3rd party review.
I'm planning few pledge levels: from set of bare PCBs to set of all preassembled modules and wire harness that has to be mounted into customized metal enclosure. No completed unit is planned since certification cost is insane (I got an offer for CE and FCC that is about 10.000 EUR!). That could make sense only if 500 or more units is shipped what is, I'm afraid, way beyond potential of crowdfunding platform since unit cost is not like 30 EUR but tenfold higher.
So, please be patient and stay tuned. In the meantime I'll report progress on firmware side and some thoughts about possible upgrade like e.g. recently announced 3rd channel with USB changing capability, etc.
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#519 Reply
Posted by
VEGETA
on 01 Dec, 2016 00:59
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May I ask how much did it cost and what is the target price? how do you make it worth it while being somehow profitable for you?
thanks!
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#520 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 01 Dec, 2016 09:17
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The campaign is conceived as a group buy and should promote free and open source hardware and software. When we comes to term "profitability" even if it for the most people means financial gain on the first place that is not the only possibility. I already profit from this project by learn a lot about different things and by getting a solution that is under my control and that can be almost infinitely modified on the firmware level in accordance with my past, present and future needs. The final price is not set yet, but it will be set to the point that it don't generate any financial loss to me. Therefore I have to take care to not undercalculate and if campaign exceed set target I'm going to add some extra stuff or in "worst" case start to donate extra "units" (modules/kits) primarily to educational institutions if someone will be interested.
The first campaign target is massive 100 units. I don't know if that is possible to reach but below that costs of manufacturing (BOM+PCBA, enclosure, wire harness, transportation box) becomes unattractive.
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prasimix, I have quietly followed this thread and am eagerly waiting for the campaign to go-live. I live in a far away country with harsh import duties but do hope the price will be affordable by me and if so will definitely get in.
Either ways I wanted to say your work is admirable. Congrats and all the best in your campaign and any other endeavors!
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#522 Reply
Posted by
Theboel
on 01 Dec, 2016 12:42
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Prasimix,
could You stop for a while made this beauty available to whoever want it and then listen to their feed back and start "B version"
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#523 Reply
Posted by
prasimix
on 09 Dec, 2016 11:35
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I opened a new topic about crowdfunding related discussion since this forum has a separate section for that. Here is the
link.
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#524 Reply
Posted by
alekso56
on 10 Dec, 2016 20:54
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Hi guys, im not sure where to post this, but i couldn't wait on the crowdfunding thing so i bought about 5 panels, and i have started diy'ing the project, so i have about 4 extra red panels cut with tabs...
Git revision: r5b9
i can resell them here for about 33$ per complete panel (shipping not included). (i make zero profit off this, it's just to make my money back)