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The Millett MiniMAX - Tweaks
Tweaks > Power Supply

Power Supply
The power supply schematic for the MiniMAX is based on the LM317, TO-220 voltage regulator. However, extensive testing has gone into the new MiniMAX PS to obtain the lowest noise possible. Using the recomended configuration shown here and on the BOM, the MiniMAX power supply is capable of providing clean, linear-regulation with noise down below 0.040mVAC. Besides the basic LM317 voltage regulator circuit (shown in Figure 1 at left), Schottky rectifiers with ceramic snubber caps and 2 x 1000uf of filter capacitance round out the additional features. Also included is a buss fuse (5x20mm) at the input terminal block for walwart protection.
Some Class II walwarts do NOT have overcurrent protection that can be reset. The MiniMAX buss fuse can protect those walwarts by blowing first. Most important is a current limiting Polyfuse, "PF1", used to connect the power supply to the rest of the MiniMAX circuit. The Polyfuse serves two purposes: 1) It provides just the right amount of resistance to optimize the low noise characteristics and 2) it provides over-current protection for the buffers. Of course, as with other MAXes, the power for the MiniMAX is supplied with a simple Class II, 24VAC walwart.

The standard MiniMAX buffer bias is recommended at 50ma. A 750ma, minimum, 24VAC walwart will provide plenty of current and have enough reserve to prevent transformer saturation.

Referring to the LM317 diagram above, "Figure 1," the governing equation solves for the output voltage capability for the voltage regulating circuit. The LM317 operates by maintaining 1.25V for Vref. In the MiniMAX, "R2" in the diagram is actually the 1K trimmer - RR3, plus the 2K ohm resistor - RR2. The MiniMAX uses 120 ohms for the "R1" resistor (RR1 on the MiniMAX BOM). Assuming the highest and lower adjustment for the 1K trimmer and solving the equation for both cases, the MiniMAX power supply gives a voltage adjustment range of 22.1VDC to 32.5VDC.

However, we recommend that you only use this range of adjustment to ensure 27VDC as measured at "V+" and "GND" on your MiniMAX.
Much of the history of the MiniMAX power supply development is detailed on the MiniMAX history page. Several things were found in our extensive testing to minimize noise and ripply from the MiniMAX power supply:
  • CR5, the output tantalum capacitor, was deleted entirely. It was found that the output tantalum was setting up tiny resonances with the large bank of electrolytic capacitors just after the power supply (CR4 and CR5).
  • A small resistance used instead of CR5 was found to optimize the power supply noise. The Polyfuse was selected. It was used as overcurrent protection in the original Millett circuit, but its resistance (~0.5 ohms) was also found to provide the resistance needed to quiet the power supply.
  • Further testing revealed that no other tweaks could reduce the power supply noise on the existing MAX layout. After determining that the early MiniMAX prototype reduced noise further with a ground plane under the power supply, cetoole designed a new MiniMAX layout with a ground plane under the PS. Prototypes proved that this was an improvement, lowering noise to below O.050mVAC, and the PS ground plane was incorporated into the MiniMAX production boards.
  • Further tweaking revealed that substituting a small electrolytic instead of the tantalum at CR4 reduced noise down below 0.040mVAC.
The result is a very low-noise power supply, developed through reference of the LM317 application notes, but highly modified through extensive testing. The testing confirmed a part selection for the express purpose of supplying the Millett tube circuit and discrete diamond buffers while residing in very close proximity on the same PCB. Most power supplies are completely separate. The resistance in the connecting wiring often provides built-in protection against power supply oscillation/resonances. We believe that you will not find a lower noise linear-regulated power supply that resides on the same PCB as a complex amp circuit.
As you can tell from reading the Power Supply testing history, there is a complex combination of settings and part selection that results in the very low noise the MiniMAX team has achieved. Not the least of those is that the LM317 is rated for maximum ripple rejection at a 5V drop. This is the approximate value that results from the specified walwart - after rectification and regulation down to 27VDC. Consequently, we recommend the 27VDC setting for best results.
  • LM317 Voltage Regulator Data Sheet
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    file last changed:Monday, December 29, 2008 6:00:00 AM
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