FEELER: High Current PSU PCBs

[Meatball]

Yeah. I would like the ability to wire up a readout for output. If you can buuld it ill throw a little your way for your effort. Either way this is way cheaper than my alternative to drive these. Also that two way limit switch for two option if able. Not sure how easy that is to add in but woyld be nice to have a switch for 10A or 20A max so I dont pop a 200$ diode

I think I’ve got a way to do that pretty easily. I’ll add that to PCB modifications to make.

Definitely, a readout would be super handy.

I'd love to have it Open Source as well

How is 1mV/A? Is something like that sufficient?

I’ll count your vote. I’ll know in 1 – 2 weeks. It will probably depend on interest and the results of prototype testing.

I think you can keep the series diode in the circuit. Just add an option for a jumper so if it is not needed, you can simply add a link on the PCB.

If you don't mind, can you share what controller IC you used?

It would take a heavily heat sinked MOSFET to do this – which will add some PCB area and space in the enclosure.
Or a very beefy SPDT switch.
Not sure if either of those options are viable – but I’ll look into further possibilities.
Things is, you don’t just “jump” 50A connections quite so easily.

EDIT: Here's a hint for you:
Its based on a POLA non-isolated switching board. With the right features, one can be made to regulate current flow!

 

[ryansoh3]

How is 1mV/A? Is something like that sufficient?

How about 100mV/A?

Then we could accurately measure the current from 0-5V without relying on the least significant digits of our DMM's.

 

[djQUAN]

It would take a heavily heat sinked MOSFET to do this – which will add some PCB area and space in the enclosure.
Or a very beefy SPDT switch.
Not sure if either of those options are viable – but I’ll look into further possibilities.
Things is, you don’t just “jump” 50A connections quite so easily.

EDIT: Here's a hint for you:
Its based on a POLA non-isolated switching board. With the right features, one can be made to regulate current flow!

I was thinking more on designing it directly to the application. If you don't need to drive fully resistive loads, then you omit the diode from the BOM and use a jumper. If you anticipate using it to drive resistors in the future, better leave it in.

Interesting use of off-the-shelf converters. Interested on how the prototype looks and performs once you build one. I don't have an immediate use for one yet (or in the near future lol ) highest current I ever needed was for the PT54 LEDs.

 

[Meatball]

How about 100mV/A?

Then we could accurately measure the current from 0-5V without relying on the least significant digits of our DMM's.

I would need higher power/ higher resistance shunts - or the addition of a couple op amps. This would also add more resistors, a pot, and some board space.

It would be easy to do this on a separate board if you needed to - but if no one minds the extra surface area on the PCB - I could add it in.

A 0-5V output is a good idea though - additional PSUs could use that rail to mimmick the output of the first. The 0-5V line would also be handy for an arduino's ADC.

I was thinking more on designing it directly to the application. If you don't need to drive fully resistive loads, then you omit the diode from the BOM and use a jumper. If you anticipate using it to drive resistors in the future, better leave it in.

Interesting use of off-the-shelf converters. Interested on how the prototype looks and performs once you build one. I don't have an immediate use for one yet (or in the near future lol ) highest current I ever needed was for the PT54 LEDs.

Then the power diode is out then. No one has said they need one to drive a heater. You can always put one on the load yourself I suppose if you needed to.

I've got some big LEDs to drive as well.

 

[Speedy78]

Size isnt a big factor for me so anything extra that expands the board is just a plus. Just needs to be small enough to sit next to a laser head on a desk. So it could be 2feet by 2 feet and it will still work for me

 

[benmwv]

Open source and put a donate link!

I'm not exactly sure how the diode is hooked up but could you just have two outputs? One before the diode and one after. If you don't need it leave it off and use the first output connection.

 

[Meatball]

It would be just as easy to do that off the PCB as it would be to just increase the board surface area and add extra jacks. The diode is a DO-247 package, and needs a large heat sink and a fan - so doing that off on the PCB makes more sense to me.

Does that make any sense to you? That was just my train of thought.

Seems like open source is the majority of everyone's desires. I'll just plan on doing it that way.

When PCBs are here, and prototypes are tested - I'll start a new thread in the "Drivers" section of the forum. I'll have a schematic, a set of eagle .sch and .brd files, some GERBERS, a parts list, how-to's for optional features and a lengthy circuit description and theory write-up.

After that, maybe we can arrange a PCB group buy or two?

What do you all think?

 

[ARG]

Sounds great! I can design some 3D printed plastic cases with fan mounts, slots for displays ect. if it goes Open Source

 

[Flaminpyro]

Just thought I would drop in and say I have a couple diodes that require 40 amps for full output so I could be interested in one of these, possibly :thinking:

I do have a couple atx power supply's in the junk box...

 

[benmwv]

Awesome! Sounds like you have tons of info along with this. Can't wait to see it.

I know what you mean about putting in so much work and not getting much back when you go open source. Put a paypal donate link in the OP when you do and im sure most of us asking for open source will donate. I will at least.

I have an atx supply sitting on my workbench for the 12v rail, this will be a welcome addition to it!

 

[Meatball]

Just thought I would drop in and say I have a couple diodes that require 40 amps for full output so I could be interested in one of these, possibly :thinking:

I do have a couple atx power supply's in the junk box...

This PSU sounds like the ticket for the job!

Awesome! Sounds like you have tons of info along with this. Can't wait to see it.

I know what you mean about putting in so much work and not getting much back when you go open source. Put a paypal donate link in the OP when you do and im sure most of us asking for open source will donate. I will at least.

I have an atx supply sitting on my workbench for the 12v rail, this will be a welcome addition to it!

Thanks for the encouragement benm.

I'll try and get a couple photos up for you guys late this afternoon.

 

[jcranmer]

I may be up for one of these to power some PT-121 LEDs. I'll dig around for the spec sheet and see exactly what I need. (Assuming you don't already know.)

Roughly what size project box are you expecting these to fit in and what would be the soldering skill level involved? SMD or through the hole? (I don't have full control of my dominant hand)

 

[ARG]

Update!

Meatball sent me the files for this driver and I've been working on it off and on for a long time, but the project isn't dead! Anyone want to be a beta tester?

 

[Speedy78]

Possibly