Adjustable question

[lexi60]

I was wondering if this, 25W Adjustable Switching Regulator - RobotShop
Would work on its own for a simple VV 3AAA Box mod?
This is not my best subject, I just want the smallest simplest VV mod i can easly make.
Thanks

 

[st0nedpenguin]

I believe that's the same regulator cappy used in his variable woody with great results.

Thread is here, can't load the video to check since our internets is being ......ed but I think it's mentioned in the first one.

 

[Para]

Would work on its own for a simple VV 3AAA Box mod?

......The chip is as wide as 2 AAA batteries

 

[duby]

Just to reiterate.
Yes it has been used before and seems to work fine.
Its a little big for a AAA box.

 

[WillyB]

I was wondering if this, 25W Adjustable Switching Regulator - RobotShop
Would work on its own for a simple VV 3AAA Box mod?
This is not my best subject, I just want the smallest simplest VV mod i can easly make.
Thanks

First AAA means 10440 batteries, a poor choice. You are looking at about 350mA, hardly worth the trouble. Move up to at least some AA size 14500's, they cost about the same and should last twice as long.

The data sheet sheet gives you the exact dimensions, you could probably even remove or cut off some of the regs case to gain some room.

 

[lexi60]

Thanks, I did mean 3 AA box.
Is this a good stupid easy way to make one?
If there is a better easy way thats small link please?

 

[Para]

The width of that chip, in the aluminum cover, is 18mm
The width of the chip itself is 16.75mm
The width of a AA battery slot is 14.2mm

You'll have to cut off the cover and shave off the board and the box. It will be TIGHT, if you don't ruin the chip cutting it down that much.

I'm putting them in wood boxes

 

[st0nedpenguin]

It looks a lot more complicated than it actually is, but bigblue's evercool mod is probably your best bet for a conveniently sized variable voltage mod in a 3AA box.

 

[WillyB]

Thanks, I did mean 3 AA box.
Is this a good stupid easy way to make one?
If there is a better easy way thats small link please?

Not stupid at all. It's a well engineered piece with all the correct components already installed and tested. All you'll need is some wire, a connector and a good switch. Amassing all the little do-dads to build from scratch can be a pain and would probably have to be from a few different sources.

I would buy it straight from the source, it's $26.25 shipped.

3A Adjustable step down switching voltage regulator

I also like this:

Warranty Information

Dimension Engineering offers a full 1 year manufacturers warranty. If any product fails within one year of the purchase date we will replace the product at no charge.

Parallex2

The width of that chip, in the aluminum cover, is 18mm
The width of the chip itself is 16.75mm
The width of a AA battery slot is 14.2mm

Hey P are those measurements you took of the actual unit? If so is the case easily removeable?

From the data sheet:

The PCB is .56 X 1.25"-> 14.2 x 31.8mm (seems you could remove about 32mm of the plastic battery divider for a tad more room if needed).

The case width is listed as .61" -> 15.5mm

Height looks like .51" -> 13mm.

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

As Willy indicated, it is a VERY well enginered unit and a complete package.

It's perfect for the right sized box and a quick mod. Have used mine for over a 100 hours with no glitches what so ever. It sits in my spare woody as my standby carry along -- currently set up with a LR306 but it puts out fantastically at all voltages within the range of every atty I have (and that's pretty much the entire spectrum between 1.5 and 5.2 ohms)

Just a note -- the Aluminum housing (I am assumming) is a heat sink as well as a protective cover. It is removed very easily but (the case) is, for the most part, unusable at that point. If it will fit where you need it i recomend you to leave it on - for heat sake. That's not to say it is needed for flawless performance.

 

[lexi60]

Thanks guys!
I ordered one. And stuff for BigBlue mod.
Will the ratshack resistor work? 100µF 50V 20% Radial-lead Electrolytic Capacitor - RadioShack.com

Thats the only one I could really find.

 

[Para]

Hey P are those measurements you took of the actual unit? If so is the case easily removeable?

Measured three and all were the same.

With a Dremel....anything is easily removable.

....the cover being a heat sink; I don't know much about such things, but it seems to me a heat sink would pull the heat away from the device not surround it

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

....the cover being a heat sink; I don't know much about such things, but it seems to me a heat sink would pull the heat away from the device not surround it

Although it does "surround" the unit, it may also "sink" and therefore dissapate ("pull" as you say) heat away. Flat gound planes and circuit boards themselves are often considered by design as "heat" sinks -- who knows the originator intent and it's actual function at this point. For all I know it may simply be a decorative/protective cover. I Do know, however, it operates flawlessly without it with very little heat generated from my use.

 

[Para]

it operates flawlessly without it with very little heat generated from my use.

...that's all that matters.

 

[WillyB]

... I Do know, however, it operates flawlessly without it with very little heat generated from my use.

Will it fit in a AA box slot without the cover?

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

Will it fit in a AA box slot without the cover?

Yes, in fact, it will. Fitts nicely on its side and with a little finess/trimming/sanding/shaving I suppose you could instal it flat.

One would need a 3 cell AA Box to accomodate 2 14500 or perhaps a 2 cell AA with 2 14250's. I Have never tested the unit with these batteries though.

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

To clarify - this is without the regulator cover -- the box cover goes on fine with the unit seated and coverless

 

[SurvivorMcGyver]

LOL -- being the original founder of this unit on ECF I decided to test it's diversity. Just ordered 2 more units and some 14250's. My next step will be to put these in a 3 AA box with voltage readout set to display Output, each cell's voltage and total cell voltage. Just need to try to incorporate a low battery LED and an OFF!! switch for the Voltage read out so I can tell at a glance I need charging.

Still working on the dual cell in-unit USB/anyvolt in charger as well as my sepic unit for my "ultimate" -- but I may have to set these aside once the regulators arrive.

Dang Willy... you made me pull my unit out of my Woody and NOW look what you started....

{edit} BTW if you folks can muster a 3 pin header connect and the jumpers - It is sweet and make for a simple hook-up. It is what I used in my woody to make it a "snap-in" unit - sample is here