[MAMS] DC-DC boost converter

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Two critical questions: What's its minimum load? What's its noise output?

Switching supplies are based on some chip doing pulse width modulation. 
A boost converter often stores energy in an inductor with a pulse then 
lets the inductive kick supply the load through a rectifier, though it 
can be a step up transformer. In either case the control chip usually 
has a minimum pulse width of a couple % of the period, and smaller loads 
get higher voltage. Many a switching supply has a crowbar on the output 
and simply won't get past the first pulse if the load is too small.

Many a switching supply is noisier than a transmitter on an antenna. 
Chinese engineering doesn't seem to care about stray noise either.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 10/3/2012 9:37 AM, Zack Widup wrote:
> That's a really good price. I'd consider building my own if they weren't so
> cheap. I wonder about the quality. Maybe I'll order one, too.
>
> 73, Zack W9SZ
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 9:02 AM, Danny Pease<dpease at adams.net>  wrote:
>
>> I picked up a DC-DC boost converter on EBay and it looks like it will fill
>> the bill for those wanting to run devices that require voltage higher than
>> 12 volts. The price was very reasonable, $7.39 shipped from China. It will
>> accept a wide range of input voltage and has an adjustable output, will
>> handle 150 watts at a max of 10 amps. I have not tried it out on the air
>> yet
>> so I cannot vouch for how clean it may be. If you are interested, look at
>> item #280930034367 on EBay.
>>
>> Has anyone else had any experience using these devices?
>>
>> Danny NG9R
>> dpease at adams.net
>>
>>