Power Supply Knowledge - Tech Talk At The Lab!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@KetherWesak]

When are we gonna do the restoration? Dear Paul

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

@@KetherWesak It's in que, lot's of other restorations ahead of this one.

[@KetherWesak]

@@MrCarlsonsLab please do a 3 hours restoration with lots of details hehehe cheers

[@banjomobile]

Sometimes you need to speak a little slower. Your an excellent teacher with wonderful knowledge. More of it will be absorbed by the student if you maybe use fewer words at a slightly slower pace with less redundancy. I love your classes - keep it up.

[@bfx8185]

You didn't got the point of that configuration. Using center tap for 6V is because of the current. In that configuration output windings of that transformer are in parallel and therefore voltage is half and current is doubled. And it's a poor design because those diodes should survive 4x bigger current.

[@rp5029]

I have two of those exact same model power supplies.(without the fancy capacitor mods) Scored them from a neighbor who was an old school tv repair man. Sadly, his health was declining so he was finding a new home for a lot of his gear. Said he built them as kits. They both work beautifully. Never blown a fuse or tripped the breaker in either one. Brute force is an accurate description. Thanks for uploading this video Mr Carlson.

[@donl1846]

Nothing like a cup-of-joe and an electronic lecture from Professor Carlson. Thank you !

[@SN-1006]

Actually, there is: Having a nice cup of coffee AND a fat joint. Cheers^^.

[@unlokia]

Why does everyone drink poor Joe and fire at Will? 😜

[@Stevie_D]

I passed on one of these supplies (which was going for small money) in the last year and after seeing this and your latest series of old equipment I am starting to realize it's ok to buy pieces for playing at a time well in the future - this would be an excellent "in-between/quicky" project for who knows when in the future. Brute force INDEED!

[@n2n8sda]

Feeling old when I read other comments saying they have never seen an unregulated linear power supply before. I don't recall you mentioning it in your video either but a lot of earlier solid state electronics can have issues with noise from a modern HF switching power supply so these types of power supply are also useful when working on older solid state things too.

[@Rivenworld]

Terrific, 30 years late but I am now learning what I couldn't learn 30 years ago, love this, thank you.

[@doncarlton4858]

Thanks for the explanation of the uses of these old power supplies!

[@Xhopp3r]

If I were to compare my knowledge about electricity, and electrical components with Mr. Carlson's knowledge, I could say with confidence I know nothing. I enjoy and appreciate Mr. Carlson's knowledge and his videos. Although, I just recently discovered this channel, I subscribed.

[@waynethompson8416]

Paul is VERY intelligent, creative, inspirational, helpful, and wise. None of us are perfect...but Paul comes "dang near it"!

[@BruceNitroxpro]

@@waynethompson8416 , It is again interesting to hear what people think... and I must agree with the basic bell curve of intelligence which shows that the low end is WELL represented! LOL

[@pmchamlee]

You remind be of my electronics professor, Richard Emanuel, at Howard County College circa 1967. Very clear descriptions which flow with the designs of circuits. Much obliged to you for your efforts!

[@TooMuchMiddle]

Great Tech Talk, as usual. I always love seeing the old equipment you have to show us! I would really enjoy seeing you work your restoration magic on this power supply.

[@mushenji]

This is absolutely awesome

[@brucesargeant6589]

Ha, great video. I used these back in the '70's to fix hi-fi and car stereos. I learned all my practical engineering on that bench. These supplies were the best. I still play engineer:). Hats off to Mr Carlson...wish I had a voice like him:). Keep up the good work.

[@genestatler2514]

I love these explanatory videos Paul. Always interesting. I'm anxious to see the restore video.

[@RocRizzo]

Good old Eico. Made in my old neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Used to dumpster dive there for schematics on weekends.Can’t believe that was almost 60 years ago.

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Rocco Rizzo , Believe! LOL

[@jeffreyhaynes5774]

Ah,the good old days in Flatbush.Gone are the good times.just like old repair shops like Stereo Warehouse.

[@anullhandle]

:) for me it was a short bicycle ride to Edmund scientific back when they had a surplus outlet to paw thru.

[@denisdespins1127]

VERY relaxing Mr C. I totally enjoyed it. You have a good voice in a therapeutic kind of way ! Press on ! (The "brute force" type is a favorite)

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@watthairston1483]

I had one of these, as I recall it was an Eico kit. Used it to fix 12v radios too. Thanks for the memories....

[@edwatts9890]

Seriously, Mr. Carlson, thank you for all of your effort and your knowledge and easy-going presentation. Lots of us really like your channel. 73, KI6DCB

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you're enjoying the content Ed! Thanks for your kind feedback.

[@hestheMaster]

I can't wait to see the restoration and how to replace it with the correct electrolytic capacitors. Thanks for a great lecture on how it works Mr. Carlson!

[@laser31415]

A few years ago I learned a phrase that describes this power supply nicely. "Too stupid to quit technology " :)

[@anandarochisha]

Less than 10% of everything Mr. Carlson has forgotten about electronics is directly and personally represented in that little number of folks with "dislikes" of this video.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Mr Carlson's Sir Very Well Explained, So Nice Video And Thank You.

[@Dougrca]

Clear and concise thank you Professor

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You are welcome!

[@brucedeville9053]

Love your circuit analysis. I have that exact supply, bullet proof.

[@billpowell5931]

Great explanation. And a neat project. I look forward to the restoration.

[@GeorgeWMays]

Mr.C. I'd really like to watch you restore this power supply. Thanks for another super video. It is genuinely appreciated.

[@faxcapper]

Oh my.....really looking forward to you rework of this supply, Paul.

[@johnhelt5475]

Eager to see this restored.

[@jp040759]

WOW. If this electronics gig doesn't work for you, you sure could make a living reading children's books to kids with your soothing voice.

[@rayswick4707]

I enjoyed this share and feel a little less ignorant about this brute force supply. Thank you.

[@156dave]

Mr Carlson I wish I was allowed to have a workshop like yours All my test gear is in a shed at the bottom of the garden.Your family must be very supportive

[@PhG1961]

Indeed I liked the video. A remarkable design very well explained !

[@hapskie]

Would be cool to see what the output looks like on a scope, using 12v and 6v mode. With and without smoothing capacitors.

[@richardcranium5839]

and both ac and dc signatures. i bet its got a lot of ripple thus the caps trying to run something digital off it

[@rp5029]

@@richardcranium5839 If that was a guess, it was a very good one. I've scoped the output of mine and a lot of AC ripple is present ever with small loads.

[@gyrgrls]

@@rp5029 This underlines my reason for wanting a regulated supply. A series linear regulator greatly reduces the ripple on the output. For this cause, I do not like unregulated supplies, especially low voltage supplies.

[@JohnRaschedian]

Thank you Paul.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're very welcome!

[@markd.nightingale4266]

Beautiful job of explaining the circuit and function of the components. Keep up the good work!

[@mrshankj5101]

This was very fascinating!

[@TeslaTales59]

I vote for a restore. Nice Eico. I have an old Lambda LQD-422 in need of a bit of cleanup. Great show as always!

[@jond1536]

I like the use of "reactor" for the choke, makes is sound modern and "mysterious" , funny Thanks for the GREAT Video

[@paulrawlings2898]

Actually reactor is an older term for a coil or inductor. Here are some older names that were used in the past and are not common now. Condenser = capacitor (note: condenser is still used to describe a refrigeration component), aerial = antenna, earth (British term) = ground (note: common is sometimes used also, but it may or may not be referenced to earth/ground). Cycles per Second (CPS) = Hertz, micro micro Farads (uuF) = picoFarad (pF, 10^-12), Amperes (the commonly used newer shorted term is Amps ) Ether = old word that was used to describe what we would call the ionosphere today. I'm sure there are others that I have forgotten. Mr. Carlson is a young guy who enjoys keeping electronics history alive... Thanks

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

To be honest I sometimes fall asleep watching your videos because you have such a nice voice! (Not to mention I love vintage electronics And learning how they work)

[@old64goat]

As someone said, it would be interesting to see how much ripple there is under load. I never tested the ripple on mine, back in the tube car radio days ripple did not matter because the radio was filtered well. I also replaced the binding posts to red & black and added a better pilot light.

[@jamesharrison2041]

i thought i saw you at the thanksgiving parade in n.y.c,,,drinking coffee,,,,,, only stag beer for me,,,,73,s kd5utu

[@philip2.2.12]

Love watching your vids

[@paul1887]

The thermal breaker is awesome! No more trying to find the right fuse. The Pi filter was cool too.

[@billchavez8473]

Excellent as always.

[@scotty3114]

This reminded me of a 6/12 volt battery charger my dad had. It was lacking the caps volt meter and choke. I had a similar circuit with the voltage selection. It had 2 large selenium rectifiers riveted to the side. I was just self learning electronics at the time and was amazed at the simplicity of the device. It was indestructible (thankfully) as I clandestinely used it in many projects and experiments.

[@Jaco1]

Great video. The 6V/12V switching is quite interesting.

[@gd2329j]

Love the moving iron meters get them dancing & pick a number ! Heathkit made similar battery eliminators .

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks for your time today

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

My pleasure

[@josephmagedanz4070]

What a wonderful design...simple is often better. Looking forward this restoration!

[@T2D.SteveArcs]

Interesting topology thanks for sharing Paul ....

[@compwiz101]

The Eico 1064 was my first variable power supply, bought it off my middle school tech lab for $20. Still use it to this day

[@dennisfahey2379]

I think Mr Calrson missed his calling. With that smooth jazz voice he should be a planetarium commentator.

[@MegaBakerdude]

Beefy old school design. Thanks for the tour! I last used a PI filter in the power supply for the coil of a 15" woofer from way back - perhaps the 1930's.

[@crud118]

I love simple informative videos like this.

[@rossthompson1635]

Loved the explanation of the full bridge / full wave rectification at 12V or 6V. What a neat circuit. At first I didn't see how the voltage was varied on the 12V range, but saw it as soon as you ran through it again. Thank you!

[@Seiskid]

I thought this was pointless. But your explanation sold me. Good bit of kit.

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Nice and short demonstration. Very informative that part on the rectifiers. Thanks.

[@gasser1ify]

mr. Carlson as far as I'm concerned you're the best there is out here on KZbin Nobody holds a candle to you

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@JohnGreen-SWL]

Most interesting I have not seen a " brute force psu " before. Always something new to learn on your videos

[@timsweet4424]

I just happen to have the exact same unit , minus the strange cap setup . I use this box for all kinds of tests go/nogo , amp draw , motor brush setting , and other diagnostic uses . There is a spring metal wiper that controls the voltage . From outside , you have a gem ! The discoloration should not be an issue unless it has been mistreated .

[@kahlid-ataya]

your video is the appetizer with my lunch 😋

[@KeritechElectronics]

Hi, nice to see you back :) I also have an old brute force typw power supply with a variac that goes up to +/-40VDC at 200W or something like that. Good for building transistor power amps. I don't use it because I mostly dabble with vacuum tube electronics, but it's there in case I need it.

[@shalffon]

Thank you so much i learned a lot with your explanation!

[@Edisson.]

Hello mr. Carlson I wish you all the best in the new year and thank you for an absolutely great video. I myself have a charger for lead-acid batteries built on this principle, and because at the time I was building it, it was difficult to get suitable diodes in Czechoslovakia, I used diodes from an old alternator for the rectifier. One of my first regulated AC / DC sources works on the principle of a control transformer and also uses a Selenium rectifier for the DC component (those were the times 😉) I wish you a lot of success in the next work and I quietly envy this source - a wonderful design - I have never seen such a thing. Tom from Prague wishes you a nice day 🙂

[@greengrayradio1394]

A simple, yet interesting design with the transformer having multi-tapped secondary. Most often these used a large reostat to set current, this has more of "voltage control" with the operator in the control loop, as you describe very well as usual! The meters seem to have little or no damping, but with a little operator patience, still fine!

[@MrJohnnaz]

I built one of these brute force power supplies, with a 8 amp variac and a 40 amp RV converter (transformer). I use it to power my aluminum anodizing rig. It's really a nice setup.

[@gregholloway2656]

Neat video, Paul. My 80 year old father has a battery charger, built in the 60s that works like this. The transformer is center-tapped, and the 6V/12V switch changes the diode configuration. I’m curious what that circuit breaker (in your PS) is rated for, since it has to deal with both 10A mode and 20A mode.

[@davelowets]

20 amps. It can run all day at 10 amps.

[@victordubowski1276]

I have a similar battery 🔋 charger from the 70s, it two was my father's, I believe it is a Schumacher, I still use it today to charge batteries.

[@SupremeRepairs]

Great job sir ❤️

[@davidcottee2808]

Very cool how the schematic has the two diodes carrying the high current in 6V mode slightly larger than the other two. My first 12V power supply I built in the 70's had 4 diodes like those, I think they were rated at 25A or so. Industrial strength! Great explanation of the operation of the device.

[@MCW1955]

Great “all seeing eye” cup!

[@gwesco]

That breaker was a common automotive part in the late 60's - 70's. My old Jaguar e-types had them as well as weird British rated fuses.

[@mikek5206]

How does the wiper make contact with the copper if the transformer winding is insulated or varnished? Would you mind exploring this on your restoration video?

[@timhoeflich7857]

I have one of these Eico PS. My model has a selenium rectifier I believe. I’m using it now to power two 2 meter band radios. Though I have spare selenium rectifiers, I may convert to diodes.

[@konstantinosk1269]

Finally another great video

[@waynethompson8416]

Paul, What is the device under the power switch? When I first saw it I thought it was some sort of SO259 type connector, but the more I looked it looked more like a lamp. But if it is a lamp, why the other lamp above the switch?

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I think you are referring to the fuse holder cap, ya it's a weird one.

[@robzimmerman8460]

If I remember the one I had it is an indicating fuse holder and was origional to the unit. The fuse was spring loaded and when it blew a red pin would would pop out and you would see the color change in the tip of the cap.

[@bsodmike]

Sad diodes become jumpers!! Thanks for the tip on the Neon needing a current limiting resistor.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad to help!

[@dimmog]

Mr. Carlson, you definitely have a great microphone. Awesome audio quality. Thank you.

[@scose]

Yes and the a/d converter seem flawless, the room is small and filled with objects, the neighborhood is rural. It's hard to find such noise-free audio on KZbin

[@phuckodclown4389]

Mr. Carlson, I just watched a Veritasium video yesterday about electricity and you might find it interesting or at least have an opinion on the question he posed in the beginning. Thanks for the video.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I left a comment there, but too many stupid replies, so I deleted it. He needs to look into "The law of squares," and do some research into "Time Domain Reflectometry."

[@phuckodclown4389]

@@MrCarlsonsLab Thank your for your reply. Too bad you had to delete your comment. I wish he had reached out to you for your input on the topic because you are *thee* master when it comes to electronics. Looking forward to your next video and the restoration of this power supply when you get the chance.

[@anullhandle]

@@MrCarlsonsLab alpha phoenix channel just got a scope after seeing that video. I mentioned w2aew but you could definitely add some wisdom there :) Sorry your comments drew the troll element.

[@Martin-io4wc]

Which signal tracer did you use on the bench this time?

[@unlokia]

“ 👁 “ eye like your mug. ☕️ - very eye-peeling.

[@romandavydov8684]

great power supply ! want to have something like this!

[@techguy9023]

Used one just like that for years at my old job. Wish I still had it.

[@dhpbear2]

Wow, that's the BOUNCIEST needle I've ever seen! (6:46) I first came across those types of meters on a car-battery charger in the 70s!

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

justv catching up great video n love tech talk mods etc

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Welcome back!

[@chrisosborn1693]

Another excellent presentation. I suspect that the smoothing choke is considerably higher than 5 milliHenries.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Lower Voltage, higher Current equals lower in the Henry's range.

[@chrisosborn1693]

@@MrCarlsonsLab Many thanks: I'm learning a great deal from your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@AevnsGrandpa]

Where do you get all the equipment you have and /or restore?

[@ianbutler1983]

Paul, I totally trust any restoration work that involves black electrical tape. I would not even check it out! It's good.

[@waynethompson8416]

Does that include "Liquid Electrical Tape?"

[@ianbutler1983]

@@waynethompson8416 No, I actually have used that stuff. It is pretty useful sometimes and seems permanent. I don't think the hacks would even know about it.

[@Taras-Nabad]

Great video

[@erikdenhouter]

The easiest way to remember a full wave bridge rectifier is: ALL diodes point to the positive. Also neat from that schematic is that by that one switch the 12 V is made out of the series of the windings, and for the 6V they are used sort of parallel using the middle contact of the transformer.

[@clivemurray3433]

love it.

[@strangersound]

Does it arc weld? Looks like almost the same circuit as a Lincoln 225 or similar. ;)

[@-yeme-]

are the meters way out? in the 6V range, the voltmeter settled to 10V when loaded, the ammeter was reading around 2 or 2.5A, but the 2 paralleled resistors form a 2.5 Ohm load. again in the 12V range, it settled to about 18V and read 4A into the same 2.5 Ohm load. those numbers dont add up do they?

[@hugoegon8148]

I was wondering too. 🤔

[@-yeme-]

​@@hugoegon8148 maybe its just a high contact resistance, sticking the resistor leads into the terminals. though in that case you might expect the current to fluctuate with tiny movements of the resistors, but it seemed very stable.

[@Popashistory]

Thanks once again for your talks. I remember building one of these a very long time ago. I was wondering why you don't add a bleeder resistor to the DC outputs on your projects. A simple way to protect the user and some of the more delicate equipment I fix. Of course, a 12 V supply isn't too big a danger to the user except for the welding heat when you short it out LOL

[@edwatts9890]

You might have said, "In the six-volt position, the switch causes the transformer's wipers to change the circuit from a full-wave bridge to a full-wave, center-tapped arrangement."

[@dwaynezilla]

I can almost taste that coffee, haha. Looks good.

[@theduckisok]

I assume there is less ripple in the 12V setting?

[@goodun2974]

The Eico variac on my bench at work is almost identical to this variable power supply, having the same case and layout, and a voltmeter but no ammeter. Slightly modified, with an incandescent lamp mounted to the top of it, for a switchable current limiter.

[@garbleduser]

Paul, I REALLY want a closer look at that variable transformer. Do you have any favorite sources for small or large, panel mount, variable transformers or auto transformers? I love the video and look forward to more!

[@madscientist5969]

I'm sure a regulator circuit could be installed! Bring it back to life and make it work better~ That's my mantra!

[@samuel_towle]

@2:30 Kapton tape is a good thing, taped on cap is a bad thing! Maybe trying to reduce ripple. @4:45 That winding on the variable tap transformer looks pretty cooked. It's obviously still working, just looks like it's been hot in the past. What about adding a drain resistor across the C1A cap when you restore it? I realize it will draw on the ammeter, but I doubt a 1K would make much difference.

[@followthetrawler]

Cant wait for this restoration, I know it's simple but putting that back to something like factory would be fun.

[@jasonconerty2214]

So any major change in current draw in your DUT and the Supply voltage potentially rails? Would a zener potentially help keep that rail at a reasonable level at the DUT interface?