An excellent CV power supply for DIY projects

clemence · 2018-04-21T19:50:59.000Z

Step up (boost) voltage converter from RD tech (not a review, just a suggestion)

I bought this item in AE anniversary sale about a month ago. I don't need it yet but looks like I'll need it later (BLF syndrome).

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6.83€ 12% OFF|LTC1871 DC DC Boost konverter Einstellbare Step Up High Power...

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No affiliated, just a copy paste from AE link.

The input power rated at max 30V and 6A (10A max) = 180 - 300 watt. Being a boost converter the input voltage must be lower than the output to keep it working properly. I haven't really tested it on a system, just a quick test with DC PSU and DMM. The output is very stable at various combinations. The rule of thumb is to keep output voltage as close as possible to the input to get maximum efficiency. RD also mentioned about using as high as possible input voltage (up to 30V) to get the most of its efficiency.

It has a nice input/output display with 3 settings: alternating input voltage/output, input voltage only, output voltage only, or turned off. As far as I remember, comes in red/blue/green display LED. I bought the blue version.

A scenario when to use this step up voltage converter is bike/car LED project with different output sets. This acts as a constant voltage input for various drivers you plan to use. For example for headlights, lets say you need to use 8x 3V @2A each input for low beam and additional 2x 3V @3A for high beam (all lights turned on in high beam). Thus, you need to use 2 different sets of drivers: one for low beam running at 24 watt and another sets for high beam at 18 watt. A 48 - 66 watt and 24 - 30 V input power requirement from. The maximum output is 180 - 300 watt up to 32 V (tested), so you still have 234 watt 32V input left for another devices.

EDIT: example edited.

- Clemence

thijsco19 · 2018-04-21T20:39:03.000Z

RD tech has some impressive stuff for sale. Definitely very interesting to look around if you’r interested in building a power supply.

BlueSwordM · 2018-04-21T23:56:47.000Z

I really don’t like these for LEDs.

Wouldn’t it be better to use one with CC?

clemence · 2018-04-22T00:26:20.000Z

BlueSwordM:

I really don’t like these for LEDs.

Wouldn’t it be better to use one with CC?

Please read again. In my example This constant voltage supply was to help another constant current drivers with different currents set. So now you gets wider driver selection and options from a low voltage input.

- Clemence

BlueSwordM · 2018-04-22T00:27:26.000Z

Ohhh I didn’t really understand by that.

Thank you Clemence.

BTW, is there going finally to be a 20mm MCPCB for the 144A/E21A, or is that not a plan at all? Would like to know.

clemence · 2018-04-22T00:31:41.000Z

PM sent