I saw these available at Rapid and thought perhaps they could make a handy component for building a simple pedal PSU?
(http://static.rapidonline.com/catalogueimages/Product/S84-2690P01WL.jpg)
Mains AC voltage input (wide range), to a variety of DC outputs (including 9V and 18V), in a range of watts.
The 1W 9V modules are around £3.50 a go. Around 24mm square. I figure you could hook multiple units up to give multiple isolated ground outputs?
At minimum some fuses on the incoming mains, and outputs of each module, would be required.
Still look relatively straightforward to implement though.
http://www.rapidonline.com/electrical-power/vigortronix-ac-dc-power-supplies-with-3w-single-output-533024 (http://www.rapidonline.com/electrical-power/vigortronix-ac-dc-power-supplies-with-3w-single-output-533024)
Quote:
'The new range of Vigortronix AC/DC converters promise to transform your board space. Packaged in a distinctive orange housing, they are lighter, smaller, offer longer lifetimes and provide greater reliability than traditional transformers.
The wide input range means that the 4-pin modules are compatible with all international voltage ratings. If you are still unsure, why not order a single module from Rapid today, or contact us for more information. We have had plenty of positive customer feedback already.
Good dielectric isolation
Integrated protection of short circuit and over current protection
Integrated EMC filter network
1W, 3W, 5W, 10W
Input range: 90-264VAC
Output range: 3.3V - 24VDC
Average lifetime: 300,000 hours
Low Standby Power
Low Ripple & Noise
Encapsulated Design
Fully Isolated Pri ~ Sec >4000Vrms
Materials: UL94-V0
Safety: EN61558, EN60950, CE
Weight: from 20g
.'
Wow, that is a really neat part. Great find!
Cool! Although the name sounds like a "blue pill" brand ;D
Hmmm... that's quite interesting! Nice find :)
Yeah the more I look at these the more tempting it looks.
You could quite easily hook up a range of modules to suit a particular application.
You can even buy a 'tester' PCB/module for £9.50:
http://www.rapidonline.com/electrical-power/vigortronix-vtx-214-pcb1-ac-dc-converter-mounting-kit-1w-10w-84-2157 (http://www.rapidonline.com/electrical-power/vigortronix-vtx-214-pcb1-ac-dc-converter-mounting-kit-1w-10w-84-2157)
(http://static.rapidonline.com/catalogueimages/Module/M552037P01WL.jpg)
One thing I'd be concerned about is amperage draw. The 9V unit says it's rated for 333ma, which I wouldn't want to push too hard. I bet it can actually supply more under stress, but at 333ma, for example, I'd need 3 or 4, or up to about 8 of these, to do the same as some of the common power supplies out there. That fills up a box quickly.
I really do like the concept though. It makes it stupid simple because you don't have to worry about rectification or heat sinks or any of the stuff we normally have to worry about.
If only there was a box that was identical in size and shape to the Pedal Power Plus I could get...
Jacob
Awesome!
Quote from: jkokura on March 31, 2015, 04:57:27 PM
One thing I'd be concerned about is amperage draw. The 9V unit says it's rated for 333ma, which I wouldn't want to push too hard.
Maybe parallel 2 or 3 of them?
Quote from: culturejam on March 31, 2015, 04:58:35 PM
Awesome!
Quote from: jkokura on March 31, 2015, 04:57:27 PM
One thing I'd be concerned about is amperage draw. The 9V unit says it's rated for 333ma, which I wouldn't want to push too hard.
Maybe parallel 2 or 3 of them?
That's what I was thinking.
Each module should then have an isolated ground at the output.
There are also higher output power modules (think the highest is 10 W). Though these will be bigger physically of course.
I've been thinking about this and it really does seem like all you'd need on a PCB are In/Out pads. Then, you just need an IEC power input jack with a built in fuse and you can make a modular power supply with however many units you care to include.
Not cheap at $8 each, but even if you had 8 outputs, you're looking at about $100 for the whole unit. Not bad. And dead simple. Probably the same cost as using the Weber transformer, but much simpler.
Yes very cool! Would be interesting to find out if the ripple is really so low that it isn't introducing noise into chain.