13.8 V / 15 A from a PC Power Supply

Safety Instructions

Caution mortal danger: The following circuit operates at a mains voltage of 230 Vac. Because of rectification some of the components conduct dc voltage of more than 322 V. Work has to be carried out only if the circuit is disconnected from the mains and de-energized. Note that capacitors located to the primary side can be charged with high voltage for several seconds even after switching of the mains voltage.

The major disadvantages of usual linear power supplies are high power dissipation, the size and the appropriated weight. When looking for an alternative solution, I decided to use a switch mode power supply (SMPS). The efficiency of such power supplies is around 70 % to 90 % at a power density of 0.2 W / cm³. Because homebrewing was out of the question due to lack of time, I tried the modification of a PC switch mode power supply.

Fig.1: Block diagram of a primary switching power supply

Brief description of PC SMPS Features

Depending on the PC model, these are rated anywhere between 150 and 240 W. For supplying socket 7 main boards they have four different output voltages of +5 V, +12 V, -12 V and -5 V. They are mainly primary switching power supplies with power switches arranged in a half-bridge configuration. The outputs can drive the usual 20 A (+5 V), 8 A (+12 V) and 0,5 A (-12 V, -5 V). At approx. 205 W output power and a typical efficiency of 75 % this means a dissipation of only 68 W. I had acquired an unbranded PC power supply, measuring 140 x 100 x 50 mm (W, D, H) and weighing 350 g. Most power supply units are designed according to the same principle (half-bridge configuration) and hence the following described modification should be applicable also to power supplies from other producers.

Fig.2: Half-bridge configuration of power switches

Regulation

After switching on the mains voltage the circuit operates for a short duration as a free-running oscillator. This behavior is caused by a feedback winding at the output transformer T2. As soon as the auxiliary voltage Uaux is present the pulse width modulator IC TL494CN from Texas-Instruments takes over the control function and synchronizes the "oscillator".
The error amplifier in the TL494 compares the voltage at the +5 V output (actual value) with a reference voltage (set value), calculates the analogue control variable according to the PI algorithm and adjusts the pulse width modulator (see Fig. 6). The modulator sends alternate pulses to the driver transistors Q5 and Q6. The pulse duration is reverse proportional to the control variable rating. Increasing loading on the +5 V output makes for wider pulses, lighter loading causes narrower pulses. As there is a finite minimum pulse width, a minimum load of 0.1 A is required. Without this load the power supply may be destroyed. The switching frequency is approx. 33 kHz as usual for PC power supplies. It is defined by a resistor and a capacitor located at pin 5 and 6 of IC1.

Fig. 3: Primary side mains filter, rectifier, power switches and drivers

Monitoring Circuit

Several protection circuits are included in the original power supply. Excessive primary current due to a very high secondary current leads to a high alternating voltage at the T3 output. If this voltage is above a fixed threshold the TL494 stops immediately generating cyclically pulses and changes to the intermitted mode (on / off). The circuit and the load are protected likewise against over-voltage at the +5 V output or short-circuit at the -12 V and -5 V outputs. Switching off is executed via H-signal to the IC1 protection input (pin 4) too.
If you see a KA7500 or IR3MO2 PWM regulator IC on the board, each one is a pin compatible second source to the TL494CN. IC3 is a dual comparator from LM339 type. Some power supplies are not equipped with this IC, but with a two transistor discrete monitoring circuit, offering the same functionality.

Mods to the Secondary Rectification

The intent is for all of the available power at the 12 V secondary of T1 to be rectified, regulated, protected and filtered to provide a single output of 13.8 V DC at 205 W, or more if possible. A first check indicates that the +12 V wire was of the same diameter as the +5 V wire.
First unsolder and remove all components on the secondary side of T1 which are provided for rectification, filtering and regulation of the four output voltages. On that part of the board are only remaining three RC members RC1 to RC3 and the components for providing the auxiliary power supply Uaux.

Fig.4: Secondary rectification as found in the original PC power supply

Reconstruction of the secondary side.

A simple and clear structure of the secondary rectification was achieved after "stripping" and "reconstruction".

Fig. 5: New designed secondary for Ua = 13,8 V

Mods to the Regulation and Protection Circuit

The part of the circuit responsible for regulation and monitoring has to be modified at three places. Arrange additional components free standing onto the component side of the PCB.

The areas marked with dotted frames, show the modified or additional components that are necessary for 13.8 V output voltage.

Fig. 6: Regulation and protection circuits incl. all modifications

Further Modifications

After commissioning the modified board, the situation regarding to interferences looks very bad. The whole reception range from 3,5 MHz to 30 MHz was disturbed by harmonics of the 33 kHz switching frequency. S-meter readings showed S5 on 80 m down to S2 on 10 m. As I was testing the board in a metal box, the HF radiation could only get out on the mains cable and/or DC output leads. The insertion of an additional standard 230 VAC mains filter and a home-brewed pi-filter in the output rendered the interference inaudible.

Testing the Power Supply

Phase 1: These tests have to be carried out at a low DC supply voltage in order to avoid component destruction in case of possible errors. The 13.8 V output is loaded with a 12 V / 50 W car headlight bulb and a 15 V / 1 A lab power supply is connected to GND and Uaux. The TL494 IC gets its operating voltage and generates control pulses with maximum pulse duration. Check the signals at Q5 and Q6.

Phase 2: During the second test phase the galvanic isolated primary side of the circuit is supplied by the lab supply too. For this purpose make a short cable link between Uaux and U+ as well as between GND and U-. The PWM controller tries to offer 13.8 V at the output at maximum pulse duration. The later cannot be successful due to the low 15 Vdc input voltage and the present transformer ratio. With an oscilloscope measured signals at the measuring points TP1 (emitter Q1 against emitter Q2) and TP2 (cathode D5 against GND) must look like as shown in figure 7.

Fig. 7: Signal shape at TP1 and TP2

Phase 3: Nor disconnect the lab supply from the primary side only. Instead connect a 48 V / 1 A mains transformer to the L1 and N terminal in order to feed the board with a galvanic isolated Ac voltage. 60 Vdc at C1 and C2 is in Europe defined as a non-dangerous voltage rate. 48 VAC at the input causes a rise of the output voltage up to +6 V.

If everything is all right up to now, one can proceed with the exciting test at 230 Vac. The laboratory power supply, the 48 V transformer, the measuring instruments and all provisional cable links attached for the test etc. must obviously be removed. The car bulb are further needed as a load and for the functional checks. If after applying of the 230 Vac mains voltage the lamps light up brightly, the output voltage amounts to 13.8 V and no undefined noises or smells are noticeable one has won the first round. If a non recognizable error has passed the pre-testing the two switching transistors and copper tracks say good-bye with a more or less loud bang.

For the following load test some high power resistors with resistance 1 Ohm and sufficent power rating are required. The current flowing with this load should not cause excessive heating of the rectifier diode and the switching transistors during a 5 minutes test periode.

Warning: Check temperature of components only if the mains voltage is switched off

Cooling of the switching transistors Q1 and Q 2 at a continuos current of 15 A has to be improved in any case. When exchanging the small heat sinks, note that they form an electrical connection between coper tracks on some boards. Replace the missing connection by wire links. As one can see on the photo, I did not taken this measures for further power improvement.

Operation Experience

The modified board was permanently installed in the speaker cabinet SP120 that matches my transceiver. The mains lead exit from its back, which also carries the DC terminals, an on-off switch, the additional mains filter and a small 12 V blower. A green LED power-on indicator was inserted in the front panel into a 5 mm hole drill. I had installed the small blower just in case, but found it superfluous; at the low duty cycle of CW and SSB, none of the components is getting hot. The power supply has been used for several years and has given no problems.

Fig. 8: Modified power supply board in the SP120 speaker cabinet