Scannermax 506s

[norty303]

Whilst I've been busy beavering away for the last month or 2, I've received more 506's from Bill, also fitted with the large 5mm aperture 'paddles' (there's really no better word for them!)
As I was doing the tuning on amps I already had here, Bill had predicted I'd get close to 30k at 8 degrees on the ILDA pattern, and do you know what..... that's pretty much exactly what I managed to get. The man knows his product capability!

These are in my pair of 8W 'beam' projectors and in that role I run them as wide as they'll go, and they are just perfectly happy doing that.

[mixedgas]

OK,

I've had two PMs requesting status. There have been problems. I spent a 14 hour day yesterday and worked hard to cure the issues.

Problem one, Cable reliability (Solved)

I'm not going into detail, suffice it to say my supplier uses "difficult" insulation on the wire as far as the crimp die is concerned. If you look at this cable, you can see the connector is small. The parts that go into it are even smaller!

Cable QC: The cables are shipped with factory galvo connectors on, this gets removed and a "CT" connector goes on. Cables get rigorously tested, by using a test fixture, as well as watching a demodulated feedback signal on a scope with no drive to the coil. Note in the picture below, the epoxy strain relief, this is needed so you can grasp the cable and remove it.

Problem two, Loop stability. (Solved) About one third of the amps have the "Bandwith" control configured wrong or one resistor in the feedback loop at a value point where there is marginal stability. When you start the amp, the scanner is oscillating rail to rail. I'm going to ask Bill how he tunes the bandwidth pot today, so we are on the same page.

So late last night I started getting amps processed and tested with a level of stability where I can start tuning and shipping. My apologies, I had hoped that factory QC had gotten to the point where all I had to do is mod the amp and tune. Be not discouraged, I ordered enough extra amps that I'm covered.

I have all this weekend and a large portion of tomorrow dedicated to start on production.

Steve

[mixedgas]

MY strong suggestion:

When removing the connector on the 506, if you do not have a strain relieved cable, flip the galvo over and use a eyeglass screwdriver in the "groove" between the two connectors and gently loosen the connector before pulling on the cable. If possible, always disconnect at the Amplifier end where the latching Seven Pin connector is more suitable for repeated connections. The picture attached shows a cable without strain relief. Most people would grasp the cable and pull, which is bad practice.

When installing the cable, make sure it is evenly and deeply seated into the connector.


Steve

[Carl B]

Hi Carl,

Thanks for the review and I am glad that you've got everything integrated and working.

Bill

Not a problem Bill.
I just hope the info I passed on about the situation regards reversing the scanners and mount was more or less on the mark.
I have still to hear how Rob has got on with my other set.

Slightly off topic Bill but did you and Aaron figure out the thing about the LM test pattern between QS and LP? Possibly best to PM or email me to avoid derailing this thread unless this could be of interest to others.

Carl

[absolom7691]

I have all this weekend and a large portion of tomorrow dedicated to start on production.

I wouldn't fret too much about it, Steve. I think most of us are still waiting for our scanners to be built. I understand the lead-time is several weeks. Besides, I am sure we would all rather have reliable amps and cables vs amps in our hands ASAP.

[JasonB]

I am sure we would all rather have reliable amps and cables vs amps in our hands ASAP.

+1 on that! Steve, thanks for your attention to detail, that connector looks really challenging. Please don't feel rushed, quality workmanship is more important than rapid delivery... After all, this is a custom modification. If others don't feel the same way feel free to bump me to the bottom of the list, I gotta get the connectors for the amps ordered anyways.

-Jason

[Pangolin]

Hi guys,

I will add to what Steve wrote and say two more things.

The first point is that yes, the connector is small, and it also inserts into the scanner with a "snap". It is possible to plug the connector partially into the scanner (without the "snap") and this can cause problems. It has happened to both me and also to customers, that the connector is only partially plugged in (unfortunately the part that drives the coil, but not that sends back position) and this can put a lot of current into the scanner.

Now, when we ship scanners, we include an information sheet that discusses this, shows a few pictures (like those shown above) and also says to be sure that the connector is plugged (and snapped) all the way into the socket.

The second point that occurs to me is this: Steve's amps (like many) have fewer than 8 wires, but the Compact 506 scanner has 8 pins on the socket, and all 8 pins are absolutely necessary! If you don't wire up all 8 pins (and I'm not sure whether or not Steve is doing this), then you MUST bridge a connection (or sometimes two) on the scanner itself. This is easy, but it's also easy to overlook.

We discuss all of this on the document that we created about modifying other scanner amps. We also added a few more amps to it. You can find the latest version here:
http://www.pangolin.com/_Files/C506_AmpMods.pdf


Best regards,

William Benner

PS: If you've ordered scanners but have not received them yet, be sure to check in with Justin. We have a good delivery schedule and delivery "calendar" now, so everyone should be aware of when they should receive scanners. Now we're shipping almost every day, so nobody should have to wait for a long time...

[absolom7691]

If you've ordered scanners but have not received them yet, be sure to check in with Justin. We have a good delivery schedule and delivery "calendar" now, so everyone should be aware of when they should receive scanners. Now we're shipping almost every day, so nobody should have to wait for a long time...

Awesome!

We discuss all of this on the document that we created about modifying other scanner amps....

Bill, in regards to this, I have a set of PT-40 amps that I would like to have modified. I have a family member who is in electronics repair (component level) and is also extremely well versed in amplifiers. I am going to have him take a look at the modifications made to my PT-20s and see if he can modify the PT-40s as well. If we go down this road, would you be willing to Skype for information (arranged time, of course)? After the mod is done, I would like to take pictures and share notes so that you can add it to the AmpMods PDF.

[Pangolin]

Hi Absolom,

I never heard of PT-40! Anyway if it looks the same as any of the others in the doc, then the mods should also be similar. Anyway, sure, contact me by Skype. If I am available then I'll be happy to chat.

Bill

[absolom7691]

Excellent. Probably won't be for a few weeks. The good thing is, it is the exact same pinout as the PT-20 so, easy for testing. It looks to be a similar layout to the PT-20. Just a larger output stage (LM3886), more tuning options and a disposable notch filter .

PT-40:
20140802_010104 (1).jpg