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Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller
By claude, Section Controls Posted on Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 at 06:34:07 PM MST
a rookie approach.

I searched a long time for a simple and effective shunt controller. Until one day, Ghurd told me about his and so I decided to give it a shot.
Here's his diary entry on this: http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/8/24/172521/889
The kit arrived and I started assembling it. What a great circuit! And so simple to make!

As I gladly noticed, Ghurd was kind enough to supply enough resistors along with the kit so that I could choose between high or low frequency, LVD option and so.
The PCB was so small I could not believe my eyes. Here's during the assembly.

After finishing the assembly (it only took me 30 min. but then again, I'm not very fast and I double-check everything. A more experienced hand could make this in minutes.) I connected the wires and made a test using a 12V/1.3AH SLA battery connected to a 16V wall charger and a 12V/5W car bulb as a dump load. The circuit started on my first try, the bulb started flickering (as the battery was already full) and I was able to smoothly adjust the dump voltage to 13.8 thanks to the multi-turn pot provided with the kit.

I found a cool little box (a former woofer filter) and a TO220 radiator and I mounted the circuit inside it. As the box had 4 external screw connectors I used them all by keeping the FET connections inside the case. I mounted the TO220 cooler on top of the box, and the Fet legs are going inside for internal connections. So I got two connectors for the battery and two for the dump load. It came out nice.

It still is small. I can't believe this little baby can switch 6 Amps of power using this single FET. That's like 72W, isn't it?
If I'll ever need more I'll just connect several FETs in parallel.

Here's a hint about how it worked. Just as I wanted!

Great experience! I highly reccomend this circuit.
I like simple things with great results.
This one makes no exception. Good job Ghurd!
Claude

Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by gotwind2 (ben[at]gotwind.org) on Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 at 01:21:06 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.gotwind.org/index.htm

Nice post Claude and great images as always, particularly the animated gif :)

I must have missed Ghurds initial posting of this circuit - it will be ideal for my 12v Ametek windgen.

Expect an order soon Glenn, I have also posted it on my forum for anyone interested (scroll down).
http://gotwind.forumco.com/topic~TOPIC_ID~183.asp

What would the shipping to the U.K be? - I suspect Fungus would know.

Cheers
Ben.

www.gotwind.org

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by hiker (hiker.wild[at]yahoo[dot]com) on Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 at 02:10:16 PM MST
(User Info)

nice little dump load controler..
any ideas on the price of one of his 15amp controler??
WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by claude on Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 at 02:41:42 PM MST
(User Info)

Hiker,

Glen's original post did mentioned the price. Wether this has changed meanwhile I do not know but Glen wouldn't do that.
Here's the link: http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/8/24/172521/889

Quote:

"The unit can be used for a dump regulator, an LVD, a controller for charging a second or third battery, or about any combination of the above.
It will be available as a 150W kit. Waiting for a few more parts to show up.
The kit will include the PCB and parts shown, an assortment of resistors, 2 power N-fets, some heat shrink tubing, LED retainer clips, etc.
The kit will not include the actual dump load, enclosure, switch, wires, etc.
Looks like $12.50. I'll get it up in Classifieds soon."

It's a bargain if you ask me.

Claude

[ Parent ]

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by hiker (hiker.wild[at]yahoo[dot]com) on Mon Sep 3rd, 2007 at 08:53:20 PM MST
(User Info)

thanks claude...
WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by sPuDd on Tue Sep 4th, 2007 at 04:31:17 AM MST
(User Info) Atherton Qld Australia

Very neatly assembled project Claude,
and very nicely presented photos & post.
The gif is mesmerizing :-) Ghurds little
unit is filling quite a void in the RE world.

All good :-)

sPuDd..

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by DamonHD (d@hd.org) on Tue Sep 4th, 2007 at 04:42:43 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.earth.org.uk/

Hmm, I really must get myself some simple croc clamps like that. I still do all my soldering with things balanced randomly...

Rgds

Damon

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by Bruce S (bruce(dot)stahl <at>gmail (dot)(com)) on Tue Sep 4th, 2007 at 07:24:02 AM MST
(User Info)

Claude;
Your solder and assemblies put mine to shame:-)
I too have those nice magnet based claws. burning fingers are no longer any fun :-)
Very nice pics and the gif was what I was hoping G- would put up here.

Again Great Work!!
Bruce S

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by claude on Tue Sep 4th, 2007 at 09:57:48 AM MST
(User Info)

Thanks Bruce!

You are too kind. G did a great job with his dump controller. Never mind the magnet-based claws (they are spring-based by the way) or the soldering abilities. I could never come out with such a simple yet efficient circuit. Sure I can make animated gif's but that really is nothing, anybody can. :-)

I'm just glad I got this little baby and it came out so well. Spreading the word is what's needed here because, as sPuDd said, Ghurd is filling quite a void in the low-budget RE applications.

Thanks again!
Claude

[ Parent ]

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by seanchan00 (seanchan@lycos.com) on Wed Sep 5th, 2007 at 06:57:17 PM MST
(User Info)

Very neat job Claude and very professional. With proper labels I can see your unit lining a shelf in electronic shops. I too got a gift kit from Glen but my finished unit looks head to toe homebrew. Glen most definitely fills a great void in RE. I am sure he soon will have other gems in his website to make life a smoother ride for RE nuts like us.

Animation is great. Maybe simple to you but old horses like me won't even start to attempt it.

SeanChan.

Re: Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by ghurd on Wed Sep 5th, 2007 at 09:37:14 PM MST
(User Info)

Sean, I am sure yours looks just fine. Probably better than mine!
G-

[ Parent ]

Taking a shot of Ghurd's controller | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial)

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