Comments on: Fixing A 90% Efficient 12V Booster Module

By: Francisco Maciel

Francisco Maciel — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 07:00:32 +0000

Where can I get a curve tracer like that?

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:17:30 +0000

I guess you probably won't be disappointed Waleed, since you replace a lot of those special power mosfets in those powerful welding machines almost on a daily basis. I'm glad being able to share this information on Jestine's blog, and have a blessed day too!

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By: Waleed Rishmawi

Waleed Rishmawi — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:10:43 +0000

great work and a lot of information to cover. thanks for sharing and have a blessed day. I am checking more about it online.

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 15:06:11 +0000

Note: As also given in the datasheets of both FP6291 and SD6271 Booster controllers, the generated Vout voltage is calculated out of formula Vout= 0.6 x (1 + R1/R2). Which for given resistor values R1 and R2 being 191 kohm and 10 kohm exactly generates an output of 0.6 x (1+ 191/10) = 20.1 x 0.6V = 12.06V DC.
In the article R2 with marking 1002 on the Booster module was mistakenly mentioned being a value of 100Kohm which of course must be 10Kohm.
Both booster controller ic's practically use the same datasheet formulas.
On Aliexpress probably most sellers go for the cheaper FP6291 controller chip with the same ALxxx smd code when the max Vout needed is only 12V DC. Because the FP6291 apparently is only one fifth of the price of the SD6271 controller.

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 10:56:47 +0000

In reply to Albert van Bemmelen.

Addendum: Two new ordered 12V Booster modules were received and tested that also had the controller chip with smd marking ALxxx. In this case they were both marked being AL628 controller ic's. But when tested they only gave 12V on the Vout pin at input voltages upto max 5,4V DC! Above that the max step-up output voltage immediately dropped to only about 6V DC! Which is not what we expect if the Arduino Curvetracer with this 12V Booster module was supposed to work upto input voltages of 6V DC.
At that low booster output voltage the transistor curvetracer will not detect any transistors and won't show any curves either!

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 08:29:36 +0000

Update: Although in the article was mentioned a step-up booster FP6291 chip and the datasheet showed a SD6271 controller chip, they apparently are the same in function and both have the same smd code ALxxx. Which was odd but made no real difference in function, only in price!. See here both datasheets => https://www.sunrom.com/p/fp6291-sot23-6-dc-dc-boost/
And here =>
https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pdf/1150373/SHOUDING/SD6271.html

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 07:55:24 +0000

In the past I hardly ever made such rather complex testers or even used Arduino modules before. But now I prefer using these small nifty microprocessor modules over using the quite expensive and bigger Raspberry Pi board projects.
Also because most of these parts and modules easily and at low prices can be found and ordered online like the right here used SD6271 step-up controller chip! Components that most likely couldn't be found locally.

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 04:55:29 +0000

In reply to Imoudu.O.

Luckily Imoudu, not all is only about fixing devices because making new devices is so much more fun too! Before making this curvetracer tester I also made and 3D printed the cases for a universal mini oled component tester that also showed the ESR value of caps. Plus a mini CMOS/TTL Oled ic tester. Both also use the same Arduino Pro Mini module to keep the board small. Those designs can be found here => https://www.hackster.io/john-bradnam/micro-component-tester-6a992d
Plus the upgraded to v0.7 tester from this original design => https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-IC-Tester/ .
See here my make and the files on Thingiverse with my small bug removed changed version I made in the v0.7 ino file, here => https://www.thingiverse.com/make:1160613

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By: Albert van Bemmelen

Albert van Bemmelen — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 04:37:41 +0000

In reply to Tayo.

Yes but this transistor curve tracer with at its heart the controlling Aduino Pro Mini Module (or Nano 3.0 module on other designed board) is also a perfect device for checking unknown or unmarked transistor types. And it also shows exactly how mosfets and jfets operate at their gate voltages compared to the current base operated bipolar transistors. Therefore both voltage and current settings can be set in the appropriate menu structure.
Another designer made based on this original tester by Peter Balch a 24V enhanced version for being able to test zeners upto 24V DC. Instead using the 8 bit MCP 4802 dual DAC chip he used 2 other DAC chips in his curve tracer circuit. Luckily that special original used mcp4802 dual DAC in my at first not working Pro mini curvetracer tester was not destroyed. It only was my 12V booster module that needed a repair. That plus the bad connection at Arduino ADC input A3 to R25 and R8 that needed a quick re-solder before my tester finally started to show all curves.

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By: Parasuraman S

Parasuraman S — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 03:00:42 +0000

Vow! Experimenting with new versatile ideas is your caliber and you have once again did another almost impossible task! High tech explanations too! Many thanks for sharing! (Honestly, I will never venture on such works!)

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