Beta Testers Needed.

[Endeavour]

Hellboy? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif

 

[Clifton Arnold]

I have several DMM's but no bench supply. But I have battery packs to use several different voltages and I also have several sv1j's doing nothing at all. I would like to be a beta tester for you if I meet the criteria you need.

 

[Deleted member 684]

I do have a Fluke 17, and a analog variable bench power supply (both limits currents or voltage as necessary) but I don't think I'm qualified to test. Good to hear a high efficiency boost circuit comming out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As for naming, I second jtice in the name of "Hellboy"

How does Hellboy 1500 sound? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PeterB]

I'm voting for Hellboy!

One technical question: I think the TI chip has only a feedback input for voltage regulation (like the madmax). How do you achieve current regulation? With a seperate op-amp? (No need to answer, if this is a secret of course)

Do you think it would be possible to power a low Vf LUX V (T) with this converter? The maximum ratings for Vout is 7V, therefore this should work (at least for some time) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dat2zip]

PeterB,

I tried running a 5W and while it works some of the time I was not successful in preventing the magic smoke from coming out on a regular basis. I did not resolve why it smokes and we may still find a resolution.

 

[markdi]

If I am not too late I have 2 tektronix tx3 meters calibrated about 3 months ago

a current/voltage regulated powersuply that adjusts in 1/3000 of a volt increments
0 to 20 volts dc at 40 amps

I also have lots of 1 watt luxeons and 3 3 watt luxeons

and a lot of other electronic parts and test gear
( some of it I would have to dig out of my attic )

 

[markdi]

I also have 2 Tektronix digital oscilloscopes
and wavestar software for pc interface
I just need a serial modem cable
the gpib card I have does not work with any of my computers.

 

[Atomic6]

Name it "Flipper"

 

[Kiessling]

Mr. Atomic, respectfully ... go to bed and have a good sleep /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Flipper .... come on ....
bernhard

 

[DaveT]

How about "Wondertwin"

 

[gadget_lover]

I'll offer to test.

I've 4 or 5 DMMS, 2 cheap o-scopes, bench power supply, half a dozen 1 watt LEDs and 3 or 4 LuxIII of various Vf and a few soldering irons.

I've a rudimentary knowledge of electronics, static control and testing methodologies.

I'm also skilled at letting out magic smoke.

Can you tell us exacly what paramaters you are interested in? Is it just usability, or are you looking for flaws to be discovered, analyzed, etc.

Daniel

 

[dat2zip]

If you can solder or change an 0402 SMT resistor let me know. I know some of you would like to be on the list. In order to fix any stability issues that may arise it might require changing one or more 0402 components.

Status update.

I have built 6 with teflon wires attached.

I will start contacting people on this list and confirm if they are still available and would like to participate.

I'm looking for the following feedback.

Confirm the efficiency numbers.

Ensure stability under as many conditions as possible. I would like to iron out any stability issues now before it goes into production.

Verify the behaviour of safe and full mode.

Test the input overvoltage condition and verify the 0.6V MOSFET body diode and verify what is safe and what is not.


Anyone that would like to work out the equation for the feedback loop and can help trim the stability issue will get an additional bonus (TBD).

The board is setup with a resistor for a constant current regulation of 1A to the LED.

Just a few notes for all. First of all. An open load for a fraction of a second will result in instant death. There is no margin here and the IC will not forgive you ever on this condition. THe Badboy was more robust with a higher voltage transistor and was more forgiving.

Input current peaks are over 2A, so a stiff power supply of at 3A is recommended.

Wayne

 

[Mattman]

If beta testing goes smoothly, could you guess when we might expect these in the shoppe?

 

[milkyspit]

Wayne, what about BuzzSaw? Neutron? BigBoy? QuakeBoy? HotFoot?

I'd love to be a beta tester, can probably solder the parts, have two good Fluke DMMs, but am probably shorter on experience than some in terms of doing a super rigorous evaluation.

(BTW, email received, you're right, and I will.)

 

[milkyspit]

BuzzBoy? (I like that one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
HardRock?

Uh... RockHard? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[gadget_lover]

I just realized that I I had every thing needed to be a beta tester EXCEPT spare time. I'm looking forward to the reports.

Dan

 

[dat2zip]

At the rate I'm toasting the boards, there won't be any to send to any testers. Two have shorts under the IC, one doesn't light and I've got one good one so far.

 

[Doug S]

[ QUOTE ]
dat2zip said:
At the rate I'm toasting the boards, there won't be any to send to any testers. Two have shorts under the IC, one doesn't light and I've got one good one so far.

[/ QUOTE ]
Wayne, if it is any consolation, some of those new TI switcher IC's have been giving me fits too. Awhile back I laid out a circuit using one of their new stepdowns, the TPS62020, in that same leadless QFN10 package you are using [EDIT, whoops, bad memory. You are using a QFN-16 pkg. That's even harder to work with] . I toasted a pile of them. They would be stable under some Vin/Iout combinations but unstable under others. Once they went unstable, they generally died shortly. I finally set that circuit aside for now. I'll get back to it when I need some more aggravation. The only upside is that I got pretty good at changing out dead ICs for [briefly] good ones in that particular leadless package. A year ago I never would have dreamed I could do it.

 

[Klaus]

One more volunteer /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pros: Bench supply, two nice Flukes and some more cheaper DMMs, plenty supply of battery holders for various cell setups, various LiIons from R123 to 18650, sense resistors, the usual stuff ....

Cons: Sometimes doesn´t read emails as well and subsequently fries convertors - was gone for a week, missed this thread - should have read it before the weekend /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif

This circuit is kick-***, even in safe mode

Klaus

 

[dat2zip]

Sorry folks, I'm going to have to cancel the Beta test list for now. I'm still hacking away and I'm doing yet another revision of the board.

I think I have a way to lick the safe and full mode and get it to work all the time. Prototype will be a 1" X 1" board. If I can get the circuit to behave the way I want, then I'll go for another round of fab'd boards.

If you can solder paste reflow the power pad under the IC, contact me if you want a raw board of the current revision.

It has the holes for making it into a sandwich, anode contact pad. Only serious takers only. This is no simple soldering job. You will need to reflow solder paste in a toaster oven or some other makeshift method. If you have a Metcal.... Sorry, that won't cut this.

You will have to come up with the material and I can give you a rough BOM.

Whatever you do, never disconnect the load... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif (Klaus) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif