Author Topic: Drsstc 3 (Read 34465 times)

Hydron · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2018, 12:31:42 PM »

I agree with Mads about your MMC - 3 in series is only 6kV, which could significantly limit the peak current for a coil of this size, especially if you find that you need to reduce the number in parallel to 2 to get a lower total capacitance (0.47uF seems on the high side compared with other 160mm coils). If you already have the caps then make sure you the MMC construction allows for you to configure them in 4s2p for an 8kV/0.235uF option as well. To do it properly I'd suggest getting a few more to allow for a few more configurations up to 6s/3p (as per snubber suggestion below).

As for the snubber question, for both MMC and DC bus snubber use I have used the similar Aerovox snubber caps in a DRSSTC of a similar size (CM300s, 160mm*730mm secondary).

Mine were 2uF/1000V though, so the MMC ended up with a couple of fairly long strings to get a sensible capacitance/voltage rating. This was OK though, as I had over 50 of them available - my MMC allowed for up to 24 in series in each of 2 strings (with capacitance selected by choosing where to attach a shorting jumper on each string). This MMC works very well, and didn't seem to get warm even after a continuous 10-min run at ~1.5kW heating up a dummy load (cast iron skillet with bacon and eggs).

If you were to use the snubbers for a MMC I'd say that you'd need at least 5 in series and 2-3 strings in parallel, e.g. 6s3p for 18 caps total. Have a play with Mads' MMC calculator on his website and your expected coil parameters.

oneKone · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2018, 12:10:13 PM »

cheers hydron, i'll take your advice about the mcc. Originally i think i was trying to be too conservative about how much money to spend on it.

In other news i've found these capacitors:
https://www.ebay.com.au/i/401383408371?chn=ps

If i'm reading that correctly that's a bargain! especially with the high ripple current described in the data sheet.

I'll hopefully be returning to this project very soon. i think i'll order the capacitors (bus) and the heatsink this friday, then the mmc capacitors in another week or so.

Edit:
The only downside I see with the capacitors I linked is the diameter. I can mount the capacitors on-top of the igbts to get the lowest possible inductance but it's more than I would like, in saying that I've seen voltage multipliers on drsstc inverters that also look high inductance that use bigger snubbers...

Mads Barnkob · « **Reply #22 on:** July 04, 2018, 10:16:42 AM »

It is a fair price for a brand new capacitor of that size, 2nd hand with long time on shelf or so would properly be around 25-50% of that price, if you found it on ebay.

You can actually quite precise judge a electrolytic capacitor on its physical dimensions if its made for high ripple current. The large terminals is a dead give away, but also a large diameter and short length is a clear indicator of that. Long capacitors are not good for large ripple currents as they would heat up much more near the terminals than at the bottom.

Just use some good big copper bus bars to mount them on the side of the IGBTs with a 90 degree bend or something like that. Remember that electrolytic capacitors should not be mounted upside down due to the vent hole, and you mount it on the side, see if you can possible have the vent plug/hole as much upwards as possible.

Hydron · « **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2018, 12:00:30 PM »

I agree that it looks like a fair price for a new one. I assume you're planning on using a couple in series for voltage doubled 240V mains? This would give a similar capacitance to what I'm using on my similar sized coil, which seems to work ok (though is probably on the low side of acceptable).

As for mounting, I'd check the manufacturer recommendations - my RIFA (Kemet) caps are ok in any orientation but the manufacturer warns that if they vent then the mess will be worse if they are not facing upwards. Was not an option for me so mine are mounted downwards, and I'll just have to deal with it if they vent.

oneKone · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2018, 01:28:31 AM »

Cheers guys,

I am planning to mount them vertically. I was originally going to try aluminium for my bus bars but I think I'll start looking for copper plate.

@Hydron. You're correct. Originally I was just going to run rectified mains but I thought while I'm building it I might as well go with a voltage doubler config.

Usernametaken · « **Reply #25 on:** July 12, 2018, 10:14:41 AM »

If you find copper please let me know

oneKone · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2018, 04:00:09 AM »

@Usernametaken,

i've found a couple of sellers on ebay that sell copper sheet/plate. if you search for lets say "5mm t2 copper sheet" you'll get a few hits. I'll more than likely order from ebay, just waiting on getting the capacitors first.

oneKone · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2018, 10:44:21 AM »

The capacitors have come! For me it honestly makes a difference to hold the item and see how it's going to sit in relation to the igbts. At the moment I'm thinking about getting 5mm thick 30mm wide copper plate, I'm just trying to figure out a way that will have the least wasted material.

futurist · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2018, 05:51:07 PM »

I use the same capacitors for my DRSSTC. They seem pretty robust, only downside is that they don't come with screw stud so you need to make some sort of a mount

Mads Barnkob · « **Reply #29 on:** July 22, 2018, 08:31:11 PM »

5mm copper sheet is way overkill for the required current/low inductance, but as the capacitor does not have a mounting stud, you could construct the bridge bus bar in such a way that its the mechanical structure that holds all the weight of the capacitors.

Nice little stubby electrolytics by the way, for sure made for high ripple current! ...or low clearance designs

oneKone · « **Reply #30 on:** July 23, 2018, 01:38:59 PM »

@ futurist, at least someone is using these!

@mads, my thinking exactly! i'm hoping the 5mm plate will stop them from moving around, if not i'll machine up some acetal standoffs.

Nijin · « **Reply #31 on:** August 03, 2018, 10:59:08 AM »

@oneKone I used 5mm aluminium busbar for my inverter, they don't overheat with 1500A and they are much more easier to cut than copper

oneKone · « **Reply #32 on:** August 07, 2018, 12:58:50 AM »

Cheers for the suggestion @Nijin. I thought for weeks about using aluminium for the bus bars. The only downside is that I would have had to buy 8 meters of it... In the end I bought some copper flat bar, just waiting on it getting delivered now!

oneKone · « **Reply #33 on:** September 05, 2018, 05:44:25 AM »

*I ended up removing my previous comment as it didn't make much sense*

Ok so it's time to get back into this project! I'm going to order the MCC and snubber capacitors tomorrow night (finally). I'm going to try 3 parallel X 3 series to give 0.33uf @ 9kv.

For the toroid I've found this:
http://4hv.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?177424.0
The concept seems easy enough to pull off, so I'm going to buy a small length of copper tube and pipe and see if I can make a few sections.

Hopefully this weekend is productive!

Mads Barnkob · « **Reply #34 on:** September 05, 2018, 10:08:06 AM »

0.33 uF at 9 kV is a good compromise for a coil your size.

Regarding the ringed toroid, Uspring lately made a comment about having trouble when using too think tubing, so have this in mind

https://highvoltageforum.net/index.php?topic=457.msg2801;topicseen#new

oneKone · « **Reply #35 on:** September 05, 2018, 12:31:49 PM »

Quote from: Mads Barnkob on September 05, 2018, 10:08:06 AM

0.33 uF at 9 kV is a good compromise for a coil your size.

Regarding the ringed toroid, Uspring lately made a comment about having trouble when using too think tubing, so have this in mind https://highvoltageforum.net/index.php?topic=457.msg2801;topicseen#new

cheers mads,
i thought with the mmc it should be a good starting point, if i need i can always order more capacitors. Also a massive thank you for the link! in the back of my mind i knew i had seen a post on this forum, but for the life of me i could not remember. Maybe it would be worth a shot making a smaller toroid for my first drsstc and see if that gets any bad tendencies, and also how to fix them. I wonder if heavy coats of polyurethane could help?

oneKone · « **Reply #36 on:** September 12, 2018, 12:21:48 PM »

okely dokely,

after a long ass time on the shelf i have finally populated the through hole ud2.7c designed by profdc9 -if your still lurking a massive thank you for releasing the files. I've also received the snubber and mmc capacitors. As for the heatsink for the bricks i ended up going individual heatsinks as it was half the price..

I think i'll keep the current pace of this project, for me when i start going to fast in a project/hobby it starts to feel like work or a chore, so i want to keep it fun for myself. Hopefully all this mini updates don't seem too fragmented!

anyways picture time!!!!

profdc9 · « **Reply #37 on:** September 16, 2018, 04:34:36 AM »

Nice work populating the board. Just make sure you put heatsinks on the voltage regulators, or they will overheat. Let us know how it goes. You can even try the ud29 board if you want to try skip pulse. It's almost the same board, but with only a handful of extra components.

BTW I put the DRSSTC PCB pack up on github

https://github.com/profdc9/DRSSTC-PCB-Pack

Enjoy,

Dan

Mads Barnkob · « **Reply #38 on:** September 17, 2018, 11:17:23 AM »

Looks good, solid choices and careful component picking, it takes time to get everything at the right price

If we had the money to blow, we would just pay someone else to build it wouldn't we?

Do not feel bad about slow progress, I spent 4 years to complete my large DRSSTC. Right now I really feel the time disappearing with a house to restore and 2 kids. Just hang inthere!

oneKone · « **Reply #39 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:28:27 AM »

Cheers for the heads up dan, I'll swing past Jaycar and get some heatsinks! As for pulse skipping I haven't really looked into it so I'll have a read on your thread.

Cheers for the encouragement mads. You've got the nail on the head! Thankfully buying the main components is over! Just remembering all the smaller components now! I can semi relate with your current circumstances, for me it's repainting and reflooring my house... And I also decided to paint one of my car's in my garage..... Something now I wish I hadn't started! Tbh I still find it amazing you find the time to be a family man, Goto work, renovate a house, run a forum and post YouTube videos...

High Voltage Forum · « **Reply #39 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:28:27 AM »

Author Topic: Drsstc 3 (Read 34465 times)

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