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13.8 V / 15 A from a PC Power Supply=20
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I would be grateful for a professional translation =
or=20
correction of the following text. Please E-Mail to DL2YEO@qrp4u.de =
13.8 V / 15 A from a PC Power Supply =
Safety =
Instructions
Caution mortal danger: The following =
circuit=20
operates at a mains voltage of 230 Vac. Because of rectification some =
of the=20
components conduct dc voltage of more than 322 V. Work has to be =
carried out=20
only if the circuit is disconnected from the mains and de-energized. =
Note that=20
capacitors located to the primary side can be charged with high voltage =
for=20
several seconds even after switching of the mains =
voltage.
The major disadvantages of usual linear power supplies are high power =
dissipation, the size and the appropriated weight. When looking for an=20
alternative solution, I decided to use a switch mode power supply =
(SMPS). The=20
efficiency of such power supplies is around 70 % to 90 % at a power =
density of=20
0.2 W / cm=B3. Because homebrewing was out of the question due to lack =
of time, I=20
tried the modification of a PC switch mode power supply. The later are=20
mass-produced goods and available for less than 50 DM.
Fig.1: Block diagram of a primary switching =
power supply =20
Brief description of PC SMPS Features
Depending on the PC model, these are rated anywhere between 150 and =
240 W.=20
For supplying socket 7 main boards they have four different output =
voltages of=20
+5 V, +12 V, -12 V and -5 V. They are mainly primary switching power =
supplies=20
with power switches arranged in a half-bridge configuration. The =
outputs can=20
drive the usual 20 A (+5 V), 8 A (+12 V) and 0,5 A (-12 V, -5 V). At =
approx.=20
205 W output power and a typical efficiency of 75 % this means a =
dissipation of=20
only 68 W. I had acquired an unbranded PC power supply, measuring 140 x =
100 x=20
50 mm (W, D, H) and weighing 350 g. Most power supply units are =
designed=20
according to the same principle (half-bridge configuration) and hence =
the=20
following described modification should be applicable also to power =
supplies=20
from other producers.
Fig.2: Half-bridge configuration of power switches
Regulation
After switching on the mains voltage the circuit =
operates for=20
a short duration as a free-running oscillator. This behavior is caused =
by a=20
feedback winding at the output transformer T2. As soon as the auxiliary =
voltage=20
Uaux is present the pulse width modulator IC TL494CN from =
Texas-Instruments=20
takes over the control function and synchronizes the "oscillator". =
The=20
error amplifier in the TL494 compares the voltage at the +5 V output =
(actual=20
value) with a reference voltage (set value), calculates the analogue =
control=20
variable according to the PI algorithm and adjusts the pulse width =
modulator=20
(see Fig. 6). The modulator sends alternate pulses to the driver =
transistors Q5=20
and Q6. The pulse duration is reverse proportional to the control =
variable=20
rating. Increasing loading on the +5 V output makes for wider pulses, =
lighter=20
loading causes narrower pulses. As there is a finite minimum pulse =
width, a=20
minimum load of 0.1 A is required. Without this load the power supply =
may be=20
destroyed. The switching frequency is approx. 33 kHz as usual for PC =
power=20
supplies. It is defined by a resistor and a capacitor located at pin 5 =
and 6 of=20
IC1.
Fig. 3: Primary side mains filter, rectifier, =
power=20
switches and drivers
Monitoring Circuit
Several protection circuits are included in the original power =
supply.=20
Excessive primary current due to a very high secondary current leads to =
a high=20
alternating voltage at the T3 output. If this voltage is above a fixed=20
threshold the TL494 stops immediately generating cyclically pulses and =
changes=20
to the intermitted mode (on / off). The circuit and the load are =
protected=20
likewise against over-voltage at the +5 V output or short-circuit at =
the -12 V=20
and -5 V outputs. Switching off is executed via H-signal to the IC1 =
protection=20
input (pin 4) too. If you see a KA7500 or IR3MO2 PWM regulator IC on =
the=20
board, each one is a pin compatible second source to the TL494CN. IC3 =
is a dual=20
comparator from LM339 type. Some power supplies are not equipped with =
this IC,=20
but with a two transistor discrete monitoring circuit, offering the =
same=20
functionality.
Mods to the Secondary Rectification
The intent is for all of the available power at the =
12 V=20
secondary of T1 to be rectified, regulated, protected and filtered to =
provide a=20
single output of 13.8 V DC at 205 W, or more if possible. A first check =
indicates that the +12 V wire was of the same diameter as the +5 V =
wire. =20
First unsolder and remove all components on the secondary side of T1 =
which=20
are provided for rectification, filtering and regulation of the four =
output=20
voltages. On that part of the board are only remaining three RC members =
RC1 to=20
RC3 and the components for providing the auxiliary power supply Uaux. =
Fig.4: Secondary rectification as found in the original PC power=20
supply
Reconstruction of the secondary side.
Break the PCB tracks between the RC members RC1 / RC2 and both 5 =
V =20
taps of the T1 secondary winding.
Modify L4 for 12 V at 20 A. Remove windings L4a, L4b and L4c =
from the =20
toroid (counting turns of L4c). Rewind the toroid L4* with a =
single =20
winding, turn count as old L4c but with 2.5 times the =
thickness. Take=20
two wires with 1 mm diameter each, bifilar =
wounded.
Install two low ESR electrolytic capacitors of 2200 uF each and =
the =20
100 Ohm bleeder resistor as permanent load.
Use the old PCB tracks from the +5 V section and GND tracks as =
=20
terminals for L4* , the 100 Ohm resistor and the two 2200 uF =
capacitors. =20
Insert L4* at the same place onto the PCB component side where =
the L4b=20
winding was connected before.
The original cooling of the rectifier diode D5 is insufficient. =
=20
Adequate cooling is achieved by a finned heat sink measuring 70 x =
50 x 30 =20
mm (W, D, H) instead of the old aluminium sheet metal. =
Fasten D5 to the heat sink and extend the three leads by 40 mm =
long =20
wires. Use isolation material and thermal compound. D5 carries =
on some =20
boards the abbreviation SKD.
Place the finned heat sink approx. 40 mm above the "stripped" =
=20
secondary (see photo) with plastic spacers and long M3 screws =
(avoid =20
short-circuit to common).
Connect the anode leads of D5a and D5b with one RC member RC1 / =
RC2 =20
each. The cathodes have to be connected to the nodal point of =
RC1, RC2=20
and L4.
Establish two links between the 12 V terminals of T1 and the RC =
=20
members by two thick wires. D5 will be fed from the 12 V winding. =
=20
A simple and clear structure of the secondary rectification was =
achieved=20
after "stripping" and "reconstruction".
Fig. 5: New designed secondary for =
Ua =3D 13,8 V =20
Mods to the Regulation and Protection Circuit
The part of the circuit responsible for regulation and monitoring has =
to be=20
modified at three places. Arrange additional components free standing =
onto the=20
component side of the PCB.
R24* is calculated for 13.8 V output voltage. The voltage at the =
(+) =20
input of the error amplifier must be equal to 2.5 V after =
control loop=20
stabilization, i.e. half the 5 V reference voltage when the =
output=20
is at 13.8 V.
R24* =3D 20 =
kOhm =3D 2 x 10=20
kOhm in series
Arrange a second universal diode 1N4148 and a 8,2 V Zener diode =
in =20
series to D16.
Usum =3D 8,2 V + 2=20
x 0,7 V =3D 9,6 V
Simplify the voltage divider (R36, R42, R45 and D14) in the =
=20
short-circuit protection circuit. For this remove R36 and D14. =
Connect the=20
free end of R42 to common (GND) and replace R45 with one of =
higher=20
value to ensure no shut-down at normal operation. The =
voltage across=20
R42 must be less than 1,7 V (I chose 1,2 V).=20
R45* =3D 15 kOhm
The areas marked with dotted frames, show the modified or additional=20
components that are necessary for 13.8 V output voltage.
Fig. 6: Regulation and protection circuits incl. all =
modifications=20
Further Modifications
After commissioning the modified board, the situation regarding to=20
interferences looks very bad. The whole reception range from 3,5 MHz to =
30 MHz=20
was disturbed by harmonics of the 33 kHz switching frequency. S-meter =
readings=20
showed S5 on 80 m down to S2 on 10 m. As I was testing the board in a =
metal=20
box, the HF radiation could only get out on the mains cable and/or DC =
output=20
leads. The insertion of an additional standard 230 VAC mains filter and =
a=20
home-brewed pi-filter in the output rendered the interference =
inaudible.
Insert an additional 230V / 2A mains filter to the primary side, =
close=20
to the place where the mains cable enters the enclosure rear =
wall.=20
Insert a 20 A pi-filter to the DC output , behind the +/- DC =
terminals=20
at the rear wall.
The power supply enclosure must absolutely consist of iron sheet =
metal=20
to screen magnetic fields. Aluminum plates protect only =
against=20
electrical fields.
Optional on the primary: Replace the 220 uF smoothing capacitors =
C1 =20
and C2 by 470 uF capacitors. This reduces primary ripple, which =
helps =20
output regulation at full load.
Testing the Power Supply
Phase 1: These tests have to be carried out at a =
low DC=20
supply voltage in order to avoid component destruction in case of =
possible=20
errors. The 13.8 V output is loaded with a 12 V / 50 W car headlight =
bulb and a=20
15 V / 1 A lab power supply is connected to GND and Uaux. The TL494 IC =
gets its=20
operating voltage and generates control pulses with maximum pulse =
duration.=20
Check the signals at Q5 and Q6.
Phase 2: During the second test phase the galvanic =
isolated=20
primary side of the circuit is supplied by the lab supply too. For this =
purpose=20
make a short cable link between Uaux and U+ as well as between GND and =
U-. The=20
PWM controller tries to offer 13.8 V at the output at maximum pulse =
duration.=20
The later cannot be successful due to the low 15 Vdc input voltage and =
the=20
present transformer ratio. With an oscilloscope measured signals at the =
measuring points TP1 (emitter Q1 against emitter Q2) and TP2 (cathode =
D5=20
against GND) must look like as shown in figure 7.
Fig. 7: Signal shape at TP1 and TP2
Phase 3: Nor disconnect the lab supply from the primary side only. =
Instead=20
connect a 48 V / 1 A mains transformer to the L1 and N terminal in =
order to=20
feed the board with a galvanic isolated Ac voltage. 60 Vdc at C1 and C2 =
is in=20
Europe defined as a non-dangerous voltage rate. 48 VAC at the input =
causes a=20
rise of the output voltage up to +6 V.
If everything is all right up to now, one can proceed with the =
exciting test=20
at 230 Vac. The laboratory power supply, the 48 V transformer, the =
measuring=20
instruments and all provisional cable links attached for the test etc. =
must=20
obviously be removed. The car bulb are further needed as a load and for =
the=20
functional checks. If after applying of the 230 Vac mains voltage the =
lamps=20
light up brightly, the output voltage amounts to 13.8 V and no =
undefined noises=20
or smells are noticeable one has won the first round. If a non =
recognizable=20
error has passed the pre-testing the two switching transistors and =
copper=20
tracks say good-bye with a more or less loud bang.
For the following load test some high power resistors with resistance =
1 Ohm=20
and sufficent power rating are required. The current flowing with this =
load=20
should not cause excessive heating of the rectifier diode and the =
switching=20
transistors during a 5 minutes test periode.
Warning: Check temperature of components only =
if the=20
mains voltage is switched off
Cooling of the switching transistors Q1 and Q 2 at a continuos =
current of 15=20
A has to be improved in any case. When exchanging the small heat sinks, =
note=20
that they form an electrical connection between coper tracks on some =
boards.=20
Replace the missing connection by wire links. As one can see on the =
photo, I=20
did not taken this measures for further power improvement.
Operation Experience
The modified board was permanently installed in the =
speaker=20
cabinet SP120 that matches my transceiver. The mains lead exit from its =
back,=20
which also carries the DC terminals, an on-off switch, the additional =
mains=20
filter and a small 12 V blower. A green LED power-on indicator was =
inserted in=20
the front panel into a 5 mm hole drill. I had installed the small =
blower just=20
in case, but found it superfluous; at the low duty cycle of CW and SSB, =
none of=20
the components is getting hot. The power supply has been used for =
several years=20
and has given no problems.
Fig. 8: Modified power supply board in the SP120 =
speaker=20
cabinet