Skip to main content

Portable H2 Generator - The DC Converter (Part 1)

It is been a while I am not posting anything. But now I have an opportunity to sharing of my building process of H2 Generator. This is a pre-amp design by Nelson Pass at First Watt. You can find the full schematic on firstwatt.com.


This is a fun project. I just make it a little bit serious.
As you may read directly from the original post in First Watt website, H2 generator is a 2nd harmonic generator pre-amp. This can be assume as a tube sound generator but in the solid state components. H2 will works on different type of amplifier and the result will be interesting for me to know what the tube sound really is.

The goal of this project is to make this H2 even capable to test in many audio system, then make it portable is the best possible way. It will get power supply from any DC 12 volt, which can be install on car or with common wall adapter.

To do so, I need step-up DC to DC converter circuit to feed desired H2 voltage which is 24 volt. Then this junk from the old car active cross-over network will do the job very well. I copy the switching power supply section directly put in the new board. You can make from many commercial DC step-up with the same result.

The secondary output from the coil is 30 volt then regulated by IC 7824 to make 24 volt output. It is become more cleaner DC right now.

This is how the bottom board link together. Looks complicated but in reality is not really is.

If you wondering about the original DC - DC converter schematic, this is my drawing from the junk crossover.

As the desired voltage has achieve, then I can continue to the power supply section in H2. The design using LM317 to adjust voltage before feed in to the JFET J112.

Adding more capacitor for smooth and linear DC output is an advantage.





The voltage output after the LM317 is 16 volt. The potentiometer position is at the center. It should be adjust later for proper distortion level to the audio output.

This is the end for the part 1, the part 2 will cover the main pre-amp circuit.

Disclaimer: Any statement and photos in this article are not allowed to copy or publish without written permission from the writer. Any injury or loss from following tips in this article is not under writer responsibility.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

OPA1622 Vs. OPA627 High Performance Op-amps Comparison

This op-amps comparison topic is actually boring, but at the same time, many of us still curious about what others think about it. The reason is simply because of the op-amps variation are hundreds and they are depends by the implementation. The op-amps are considerably cheap and an interchangeable electronic components but they are not built for the same function. So in this discussion, I will focus on the modern Vs. vintage high performance op-amps in the simple non-inverting pre-amplifier gain stage.

Vintage Multibit R2R DAC Tier List

At the very beginning of this year, I committed to explore the best multi-bit R2R DAC. This is simply because I have plenty of the resources (from broken old unit CD player of course) and ability to build them up. If you think this kind a recycle from old un-used unit to become something useful, than I should stated myself giving contribute for greener world:) After all DAC that I built in this year, I think it is better for me to list them up again in one single page like this. Then I will rank them up in a simple tier list. The reason for this, so you all know what my opinion about of those vintage multibit R2R DAC especially in the sound quality.

What Mazda Bose Centerpoint Does to The Music?

It has been a month since I bought and use this brand-new Mazda CX-5 as my daily cars. No doubt for the car performance, this is one of the most reliable, yet very comfortable car to drive. This Mazda CX-5 is the Elite version with 2.5-liter engine and package with Bose  audio system as a "bonus" features. This is car is very interesting, I will try to explain it from my own perspectives as a casual user, especially for the Bose audio system. Early disclaimer, I listening to this Bose audio system and in my opinion, the overall sound quality is not very special. Surprise, surprise! The sound quality is average but for sure better than most cars with non-audio brand collaboration. Let's deep down to it.