300B SE Amp: build part VIII (Cap Boards)

I made a set of useful PCBs. They are intended to mount large (big really big) film capacitors: WIMA DC Link ones!

WIMA DC Link mounting boards + PIO cap board

I use the cost-effective 45μF/600V (MF Part No. DCP4I054507ID2KYSD) in many of my boards as the last capacitor in the filtering network. This is a 2 pin device, however when you go larger like the 80μF/900V (MF Part No. DCP4N058009JD4KYSD), this one has 4 pins and bigger size. The PCB for the later can also accommodate the smaller DC Link of 45μF/600V. The boards have turret or 2mm banana plug connections and an INS-1 Nixie indicator with its associated resistor. Finally a bleeder 3-5W resistor can be added.

The smaller board has the size of the Source Follower PCB. It can be mounted below it or can be used independently. Can fit a variety of PIO/Film capacitors for decoupling or for AC interstage coupling.

Speaking about the Source Follower PCB, I made also a new batch of PCBs as run out of the original ones. I made a minor modification and improvement by adding an LED indicator before the top MOSFET drain. This works in the same way as the gyrator Rev08 PCB. Can be used for normal operation or for A2 current source indicator. Also added an extra PIO/Film 100nF decoupling cap to be mounted under the PCB to decouple the high impedance node to the power supply:

SF PCB REv03 test
SF PCB Rev03: decoupling cap under board

Cap Multiplier test

I managed to find the time this weekend and do a quick test on the Cap Multiplier PCB. It turned out that I missed a thermal pad on the PCB so had to add a short jumper. Nothing major, but the PCB needs adjustment.

Below is the diagram of one of the ways the PCB can be used. This is the most complex circuit, a basic one can be wired instead. The CCS (M1 and M3) provides better PSRR as well as regulation. A stable current is fed to R4 and P1 to set the voltage. C2 is the cap multiplier and the M5 used can be any suitable MOSFET. T4 provides current surge protection to the MOSFET as well as short circuit. R7 sets the current limit.

The boards fits various film caps, I have some WIMA DC Link which are great and fit perfectly:


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