I am building a variable DC power supply for experinenting with vacuum tubes. It will be 400Volts 150 mA output, full wave, semiconductor diodes, using a pi-filter with a choke, and possibly swinging choke.
My plan is to use a Variac on the primary so I can vari the outpt to meet voltage requiremnts of various tube experiments. The Variac will be interlocked such that it will have to be set to zero before bringing the output up to load.
I'm thnking I will begin by using 40ufd at 450 wvdc capacitors and a 10 hy choke. Either vertical can or axial type mounted beneath the chassis.
My question is what type of electrolytic capacitors to use. I can mount vertical or horizontal, and about any reasonable size. I see all kinds of Series (styles) available and a huge price range.
I realize there are certain types used specifically (Low ESR) for switching supplies and computer applications. I don't think for operating vacuum tubes ESR or low inductance are a big concern, but there are so many different types to choose from. general purpose may be fine but I also realise one usually gets what one pays for.
I was looking at Nichicon capacitors: ( ALS40,PW,GU,GN,PM,PS, BT,VR Series, etc.) from Allied Electronics, CDE, Panasonic, etc are available as well.
Thanks for your input!
Eddie
My plan is to use a Variac on the primary so I can vari the outpt to meet voltage requiremnts of various tube experiments. The Variac will be interlocked such that it will have to be set to zero before bringing the output up to load.
I'm thnking I will begin by using 40ufd at 450 wvdc capacitors and a 10 hy choke. Either vertical can or axial type mounted beneath the chassis.
My question is what type of electrolytic capacitors to use. I can mount vertical or horizontal, and about any reasonable size. I see all kinds of Series (styles) available and a huge price range.
I realize there are certain types used specifically (Low ESR) for switching supplies and computer applications. I don't think for operating vacuum tubes ESR or low inductance are a big concern, but there are so many different types to choose from. general purpose may be fine but I also realise one usually gets what one pays for.
I was looking at Nichicon capacitors: ( ALS40,PW,GU,GN,PM,PS, BT,VR Series, etc.) from Allied Electronics, CDE, Panasonic, etc are available as well.
Thanks for your input!
Eddie
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