Two regulators from one transformer

Status
Not open for further replies.
You should be able to, unless they are excessively large.
Images etc are attached to a post using the Upload a File button, located at the bottom right hand side of the reply box.

JimB
Yes I tried that but maybe on tablet not compatible.

It's not the same but looks similar.

It sounds very good when I tried it with batteries to mixer.
 
Hy kinarfi,

Don't get me wrong, SMPS are used with both audio circuits and RF circuits. In fact one of the best audio amplifiers uses off-line switch mode power supplies, but the design, filtering and layout are pretty complex. **broken link removed**

By the way SMPS not only generate conducted interference but also radiated interference which couples to equipment by both inductive and capacitive coupling. There is a good book, 'EMC for Product Design' which covers the arena of ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) without getting too heavy. https://www.amazon.co.uk/EMC-Product-Designers-Tim-Williams/dp/0750681705

It is true that USB power is universally generated by SMPs but the designers of mobile phones, PCs, etc have many resources to design out any problems. Also USB supplies are not up to HiFi standards. Compared to HiFi, the sound on my Android phone is full of distortion and hash and the sound on my laptop is even worse.

Audio, as you know, is generally taken to span the frequency range, 20Hz to 20Khz and RF covers the frequency range, 3KHz (VLF) to say 1TeraHz (microwave). Just in case you mistake 3Khz for an audio signal, remember that radio waves are electromagnetic and audio waves are compression and expansion of air.

You make a very good point that if the switching frequency of a SMPS is higher than the highest audio frequency any interference would not be audible, but the fact that the switching signal can get into the circuitry is not good and can cause problems.

Very often a high frequency signal will get rectified by the input semiconductors of an amplifier and produce an audio signal and a DC component, both of which can cause problems. For this reason audio amps often have a low pass filter on the input to prevent high frequencies from getting into the amplifier. These high frequency signals get picked up by the leads connecting to the amplifier for example. One of my home made audio amplifiers was an excellent broadband radio receiver.

With RF circuits the situation is much more complex and difficult to sort.

spec

PS: another link which may be of interest: https://electronics.stackexchange.c...it-be-powered-by-a-switched-mode-power-supply
 
Last edited:
It sounds very good when I tried it with batteries to mixer.
True amplifier power determines the maximum loudness, not the sound quality. I modified my clock radio so its output is 1W. It sounds great on the vented speaker I made with a 6.5" woofer and a dome tweeter.
 
True amplifier power determines the maximum loudness, not the sound quality. I modified my clock radio so its output is 1W. It sounds great on the vented speaker I made with a 6.5" woofer and a dome tweeter.
Hi Audioguru you're right but quality plays a good role too. I have an old amplifier Nad to my stereo and was expensive because it has very low distortion hum.
 
Thank you
Jeff
 
Hi Spec I am building this. Those 330nf if polytene caps ok? Cause I don't have ceramic.
Thanks for your help.
 
Today I finished the circuit +9v/-9v were ok but on the 12v side only 4.6v is coming.
Is this maybe cause I used a 1000uf cap instead 4700uf?
Any help please?
Thanks

Is that with the amplifier connected to the 12V supply?

Does the 12V regulator produce 12V off load?

spec
 
Is that with the amplifier connected to the 12V supply?

Does the 12V regulator produce 12V off load?

spec

There is something in the transformer cause when I tested voltage only 2v was coming from red to blue wire and from 9v the center wire.
 
There is something in the transformer cause when I tested voltage only 2v was coming from red to blue wire and from 9v the center wire.
Time for a different transformer I think. Get a nice toroid.

spec
 
Hy Andrew,

Can you give an exact definition of your transformer with a picture so we can establish exactly what is going on. When you mention colors of leads it does not mean much to us.

spec
 
Hy Andrew,

Can you give an exact definition of your transformer with a picture so we can establish exactly what is going on. When you mention colors of leads it does not mean much to us.

spec
Today I connected the circuit as it should be and at one time it worked ok but after a while the 1000uf cap got very hot and got swallen releasing a very nasty smell.
 
Last edited:
did you happen to check the temperature of you lm78xx chips
Hi kinarfi I did not notice that 78xx were getting hot.


I changed the cap to a 50v one but when I switched on no voltage was coming to 12v now maybe 7812 burned. I try to change the chip and as you told me put a 4700uf instead of 1000uf.
Thanks
 
As well as the working voltage, the ripple current rating of the 12V reservoir capacitor is also very important . Special heavy duty (big and heavy) capacitors are made to handle the high ripple currents found in power supplies. The ripple current rating of the -9V reservoir capacitor is not a problem because the current drain on the -9V supply is very low.

I suspect that there may be a thermal fuse built into your transformer and that the fuse is cutting in and out. Is the transformer getting hot?

The 7812 will not get damaged by over-temperature because it has built-in temperature protection. It will merely limit its output current. I would get the power supply working without a load to start with.

In the final power supply the 12V regulator will need to be mounted on a substantial heatsink using a TO220 mounting kit (but use an aluminum oxide insulating washer rather than mica or plastic) to keep the 7812 cooler. You do not necessarily need a dedicated heatsink: often the metal case of an equipment can be used.

Also, a power resistor may need to be connected between the positive terminal of the 12V reservoir capacitor and the input to the 7812.


spec
 
Last edited:

You mean If I don't put a power resistor the readings would be false? What resistance and power should I put? Thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…