EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: digsys on October 16, 2020, 12:15:21 pm
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Was looking for new DC-DC modules / ICs for a new range of products under design (PoE and 48V vehicle systems), I came across this part !
It is the COMPLETE converter - only a couple of filter caps required (in a minimal design) - The SIZE is freaky enough, but the specs !! 4.5v-60V IP, 300mA, several programmable options etc etc and OZ$6.80 ish ea !!! There's 3 in the series, for fixed / variable options.
Shown here next to a 1206 resistor. A few just arrived, just waiting for PCBs to arrive (next week), hope I can solder it ! Not often my mind is blown these days :-)
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It certainly does look a bit too good to be true! I hope you report back on your experiences good/bad. The catch might be EMC though I see they publish some test results.
The last time I got my fingers burnt (literally) by a similar module in a 12V to 5V application I swore of anything similar but the mine was generic Chinese! (I know I should have known better).
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Maxm, hmmm. Not Maxim. Sounds very Chinese.
But, there are some laws of thermodynamics that are hard to get around. Like a 1206 package dissipating more than about 1/8 watt. What is the claimed efficiency?
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Maxm, hmmm. Not Maxim. Sounds very Chinese.
Its a real Maxim part. Its a couple of years old. Maxim are not the only company releasing modules like this.
But, there are some laws of thermodynamics that are hard to get around. Like a 1206 package dissipating more than about 1/8 watt. What is the claimed efficiency?
5V * 300mA = 1.5W . If they achieve 90% efficiency they only need to dissipate 0.15W.
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Yup, does sound incredible :-) but I'll find out in a few days. The 60V Input is what makes it priceless to me and worth finding out. I'd never be using 300mA anyway, at most 20-50mA ... support / control logic / comms etc some displays / inputs. I will push it to 300mA to see what happens :-) time to break out the FLIR again
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The 60V Input is what makes it priceless to me and worth finding out. I'd never be using 300mA anyway, at most 20-50mA ... support / control logic / comms etc some displays / inputs. I will push it to 300mA to see what happens :-) time to break out the FLIR again
Many of these little power modules have limited voltage ranges. TI has been consolidating similar parts:
https://www.ti.com/product/TPSM265R1 (https://www.ti.com/product/TPSM265R1)
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ooooo that's another one to try out, thanks. It is only "recent" that these types of modules have both shrunk so much, and increased IP from ~30-35V to 60V+
The "shrinkage" is a pain, but I can live with it :-)
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similar to a uModule from AD, but at an affordable price point. Looks some what poorly made in comparison though, with what looks to be a PCB substrate.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ed/c7/78/edc77806bc1a0c0880f5be8f2d47ff5d.jpg)
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Delta and MPS all make similar products.
Not actually "similar". I use heaps of DC-DC modules that will take 60V+ IP, eg Recom etc and those you list, but they are the size of houses compared to the 2 listed before.
I don't often have room for houses :-) or need the higher currents. In past years, we'd use a resistor and zener, and waste the heat, but when requiring ~50mA+, that adds new issues. Yes, we had other options requiring more external parts, but that was a pain in fit / layout. It was the size of these 2, and their features that blew my mind !
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I've tried it and it is definitely great.
For example if you need 5-12V to 3.3V, which is a common use for powering a uC, MAXM17904.
It's a synchronous step-down, that is why they can make it so small in comparison with regular buck with diode.
If soldering manually be careful not to desolder the inductor on top. Applying heat from the other side of the PCB might be a good strategy.
I think this is a great tool for hobby projects and high-end/medium volume applications.