Thunderbolt Supply
Greetings! I am a new member of the mail list. I've been using a HP
Z3801A GPS-steered standard but have just acquired a Trimble Thunderbolt
GPS Disciplined Clock.
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching
supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The
Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is on
the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if list
members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and where I can
obtain one.
--
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
Larry,
I favor a linear regulated supply rather than a switching supply. I had a
TBolt die while connected to a switching supply in an environment where
there were frequent power outages.
The +12 VDC current drops significantly after the OCXO warms up, probably
down to about 200 mA or so.
Good luck. They are neat little devices.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com]On
Behalf Of Larry McDavid
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:17 PM
To: Timenuts
Subject: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt Supply
Greetings! I am a new member of the mail list. I've been using a HP
Z3801A GPS-steered standard but have just acquired a Trimble Thunderbolt
GPS Disciplined Clock.
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching
supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The
Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is on
the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if list
members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and where I can
obtain one.
--
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
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Certainly, I'd prefer a linear 3-output supply. But, I've not found a
suitable one yet, in linear or switching. TAPR offered one in the past
but has no more. So, I'm asking for recommendations and where to get one.
Larry
On 2/10/2011 3:32 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:
I favor a linear regulated supply rather than a switching supply. I had a
TBolt die while connected to a switching supply in an environment where
there were frequent power outages.
...
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com]On
Behalf Of Larry McDavid
...
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching
supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The
Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is on
the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if list
members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and where I can
obtain one.
...
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
Hi Larry,
I use a linear supply for mine.
My supply is actually a headphone amp supply kit from JayCar Electronics
here in Australia. Its basically two LM317's and a 7805 for 5v. I
changed the resistor that set the output voltage from 15v to 12v and
also selected an appropriate toroid transformer to suit.
Links here....
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5418&CATID=25&form=CAT&SUBCATID=557
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MT2084&CATID=19&form=CAT&SUBCATID=539
I dont know if you can get these kits in the US or if JayCar ship
internationally, you'd have to ask.
I'm sure you could find or build something similar state side :)
regards
Tim
--
VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT-VK :: AMSAT
Hi
I have so many of them that I run them off big lab grade linear supplies.
That's not to good for a single unit.
The neatest way is to run some low drop out linear regulators off of a
switcher. That way you get it all. The tolerances on the supplies are such
that an LDO with a hundred mv dropout works with a +/- 12 volt +5 volt
switcher.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry McDavid
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 6:46 PM
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt Supply
Certainly, I'd prefer a linear 3-output supply. But, I've not found a
suitable one yet, in linear or switching. TAPR offered one in the past
but has no more. So, I'm asking for recommendations and where to get one.
Larry
On 2/10/2011 3:32 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:
I favor a linear regulated supply rather than a switching supply. I had a
TBolt die while connected to a switching supply in an environment where
there were frequent power outages.
...
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com]On
Behalf Of Larry McDavid
...
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching
supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The
Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is on
the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if list
members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and where I can
obtain one.
...
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
I use a Heathkit IP-2718. It only goes to 500 mA on the +12 supply but when
the TBolt is turned on, the current goes off scale for a few minutes, the
voltage drops about a volt or half volt, but then all comes back on scale as
the OCXO warms up.
I think I built one years ago but I found several of these on the 'e' site
for only a few bucks.
However, a power supply for the TBolt should be very easy to build. My
ultimate plan was to buid a box that included 110 VAC and +12 VDC supply
that would supply all three voltages. Should be fairly easy to do with a
555 as an oscillator to drive a voltage doubler to make the -12 VDC supply
capable of low current.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On
Behalf Of Larry McDavid
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:46 PM
To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Thunderbolt Supply
Certainly, I'd prefer a linear 3-output supply. But, I've not found a
suitable one yet, in linear or switching. TAPR offered one in the past
but has no more. So, I'm asking for recommendations and where to get one.
Larry
On 2/10/2011 3:32 PM, J. L. Trantham wrote:
I favor a linear regulated supply rather than a switching supply. I
had a TBolt die while connected to a switching supply in an
environment where there were frequent power outages.
...
-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com]On
Behalf Of Larry McDavid
...
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching
supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The
Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is on
the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if list
members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and where I
can obtain one.
...
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to
https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
That's odd. I just went to the TAPR.org web site and can still
seem to order an LPU kit for around $43 US.
I'm using a TAPR/OpenHPSDR LPU to run two Thunderbolts. The LPU
is operating on 13.6 volts off the house battery. The -12 volts
is switching, the other two voltages are linear.
I used to run Thunderbolts off an HP fiber optic multiplexer
power supply, but those are probably not too common.
Mike - AA8K
On 02/10/2011 06:46 PM, Larry McDavid wrote:
Certainly, I'd prefer a linear 3-output supply. But, I've not
found a suitable one yet, in linear or switching. TAPR offered
one in the past but has no more. So, I'm asking for
recommendations and where to get one.
Larry
On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 3:16 PM, Larry McDavid lmcdavid@lmceng.com wrote:
Greetings! I am a new member of the mail list. I've been using a HP Z3801A
GPS-steered standard but have just acquired a Trimble Thunderbolt GPS
Disciplined Clock.
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this Thunderbolt
receiver. There is much discussion about noise from some switching supplies
and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz output. The Thunderbolt manual
specifies the following supply and loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
It's very easy to build a linear supply. A 24V center tap
transformers, some diodes and caps and then those three terminal
regulators
=====
Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California
One approach for the Tbolt is to use a low dropout low noise linear
regulator (I used a LT1764 set to 11.5 volts) for the 12 volt input
(it is within spec) and a 5V switcher (Recom R-785.0-1.0) for the 5v.
For the minus 12v I used a ICL7662, these are rare, so a cmos gate
oscillator and diode pump negative generator could be used. I am told
the -12V is quite uncritical.
The whole lot runs across a 12V lead acid accumulator which delivers
about 300mA to run it when the power fails. The battery is floated at
14.0 volts with a linear regulator from a mains transformer power
supply.
A 20 AH battery gives more than 2 days backup. As the 12Volt is the
sensitive input, the linear regulator should keep the noise down. The
whole setup is designed to use minimum power.
cheers, Neville Michie
On 11/02/2011, at 10:16 AM, Larry McDavid wrote:
Greetings! I am a new member of the mail list. I've been using a HP
Z3801A GPS-steered standard but have just acquired a Trimble
Thunderbolt GPS Disciplined Clock.
I'm seeking a recommendation for a power supply for this
Thunderbolt receiver. There is much discussion about noise from
some switching supplies and the effect on phase noise of the 10 MHz
output. The Thunderbolt manual specifies the following supply and
loads:
+12 vdc 750 mA
- 5 vdc 400 mA
-12 vdc 10 mA
This combination is somewhat unusual in that the highest current is
on the 12 volt output rather than the 5 volt output. I'm asking if
list members have a favorite power supply for this unit, why and
where I can obtain one.
--
Best wishes,
Larry McDavid W6FUB
Anaheim, CA (20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, near Disneyland)
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/
time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
On Feb 11, 2011, at 9:44 PM, Neville Michie wrote:
[...]For the minus 12v I used a ICL7662, these are rare, so a cmos gate oscillator and diode pump negative generator could be used. I am told the -12V is quite uncritical.[...]
Thanks for the thoughts. I'm thinking about redoing the power supplies for my T-bolts.
So, your comments are helpful.
May I ask where is the ICL7662 rare? Digikey has over 20K in various forms.
I've also heard that the 5V supply is not noise critical. For your minimum power goal,
I imagine that's why you used a switcher rather than lose up to 0.4A x 7V (2.8W) using
a linear 5V regular off the +12V line.
Kevin