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Forum Power Supplies * Design & build a DC power supply for GeckoDrives

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Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post Transformers Gerald_D 18  1  03-05-07  07:31 pm Fuses (optional) - not for G203V Gerald_D 8  1  06-13-06  07:01 pm Rectifiers Gerald_D 1  1  05-26-06  08:55 pm Capacitors   0  1  04-29-06  11:24 am   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

Author Message   Gerald_D Registered Username: Gerald_d Post Number: 36 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 08:17 pm:        This is an example of a typical power supply with a 75V 300VA output to drive 4x Gecko 200 series drivers. Major components: - Toroid transformer 300 VA (VoltAmpere) producing 50 Volt AC (Alternating Current) when plugged into your mains. About 125mm (5") outside diameter. Price about $70. - Rectifier to convert the 50Volt AC to DC (Direct Current). The DC voltage is 1.414 times higher, giving just over 70V. (The Gecko's limit is 80V). The rectifier need only be sized for around 6 Amp, but such small rectifiers need soldered wires. Here a 25 Amp rectifier is being used because it has a metal case and pluggable connectors. About $3 - Capacitor must handle the 70 to 80 Volt and the Gecko people say that it should be about 7000MicroFarad or bigger. I used a 100V, 10000MF electrolytic capacitor at $18 - Fuseholder. The Gecko folk want a fuse for each GeckoDriver, so that is a 4-way "automotive" fuse holder at $5. Fuses only make the early gecko's more "repairable" if something goes wrong. If your shipping charges to California and back exceed the cost of the gecko, you need not bother with fuses. The later G203V has its own fuse. Overall size of power supply: 150x150x125mm [6x6x5"] The three major components are the transformer, rectifier and capactitor. They are discussed individually in sub-threads at the top of this page. CAUTION: THESE ARE DANGEROUS VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS. CAPACITORS CAN HOLD CHARGES WHEN APPARENTLY SWITCHED OFF, THEY CAN EXPLODE IF INCORRECTLY USED. FOOLING WITH THIS STUFF BY YOURSELF IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER BUYING A READY-MADE SUPPLY   Frank Unregistered Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 11:26 am:        How do you calculate the voltage and VA size of the power supply that I am going to need for my drives and motors?   Gerald_D Registered Username: Gerald_d Post Number: 42 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 05:00 pm:        Frank, I started a new thread for you. There may be some discussion on the guestimates involved.   Gerald_D Registered Username: Gerald_d Post Number: 1090 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 08:28 pm:        A bracket from the local hardware store...... .....becomes the frame of the power supply. Cut, bend, trim some corners, drill some holes..... 150 x 80 x 100 translates approx to 6 x 3 x 4 inches. About 2.5mm thick