XR2206 ss opamp coil driver

I think your driver transistors are way too wimpy. Take a look at the gain curve versus current for the BC337: http://www.ortodoxism.ro/datasheets/philips/BC337_3.pdf

For a 1 amp peak load with something like 10 ma from the opamp, you need a gain of 100, at least. The gain of the BC337 starts to poop out past 200 mA. You can never try to operate transistors at the current given in the max. spec. Always look at the gain curve to see what they are really capable of. You also probably have a power problem with such small devices. At the 1 amp peaks, you have about 5 volts across the transistor, which means at that moment they are producing 5 watts of heat. TO92 packs won't last long under those conditions (it is rated for well under a watt), even if you find one that will carry the current. You could parallel 4 or 5 transistors to get them operating in their high gain region, but you would probably need a small emitter resistor for each to balance them.

There are some TO-92's that will deliver the gain and current, if you can keep them cool, like the Zetex ZTX869, minimum gain of 300 at 1 amp and lots of current capability above that.

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And the PNP version might be the ZTX749, with minimum gain of 100 at 1 amp:
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But for 30 Hz, where the opamp has lots of time to get through the crossover voltage (getting one half of the follower turned off and the other half turned on), you might consider a couple of 3 (or more) amp darlington transistors

say, TIP120 and TIP125, with their gain curves that peak just above 1 amp:

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, with high frequency feedback (small capacitor) around the opamp for stability, but DC feedback after the output of the darlingtons (for low frequency accuracy). Something in a TO-220 package would stand the heat batter than TO-92's.

Reply to
John Popelish
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I never looked up what a MJE340 was before I launched the post. Obviously I latched onto the mental picture of a complementary emitter follower. Oh well, it was a good educational post for the archives, anyway, I guess.

Reply to
John Popelish

I'm not an expert, but I don't understand why I am having a problem with this single supply project.

I have been wrestling for days with an op amp and discrete emitter follower to drive a coil from the XR2206's sine output. No matter what I try, the wave is distorted, usually on its upper half.

Input to op amp can be adjusted from 0-2Vpp. Frequency is only 30Hz. I need to drive the coil to near full swing from a single regulated 12V rail, which also powers the op amp and 2206. The coil is an air core solenoid of suitable resistance so it draws about 1A as per the PS rating.

The 2206 is no problem. But can someone please suggest an idiot-proof circuit and component values for the above op amp and emitter follower? Even a rough guess. Just something to get me on track.

I am presently using a CA3130, BC337 and MJE340, but whatever works would be fine.

Best regards,

Mark Lindsey

Reply to
Mark Lindsey

"Mark Lindsey" <

** The MJE340 is a high voltage transistor - it is rated at 500mA max and only preforms well to about 200 mA Ic.

Try an MJE15030 instead - good for about 5 amps Ic.

............ Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

** I think the OP has used the BC337 and the MJE340 connected as a darlington emitter follower.

........... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

Yup. And the MJE340 is still way too wimpy for either configuration, so your observation is correct. As Phil pointed out, its Ic is 500 ma max.

Something like the TIP120 you mentioned would be nice. So your post was, as usual, both on target and a good educational post for the archives.

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

(snip)

While the O.P. might have learned something useful from my answer, I misread his question and answered something else. I'll give him double his money back, if he wants it.

Reply to
John Popelish

** JP never mentioned the MJE340.

He posted under the misapprehension it was a TO92 device like the BC337.

** Nothing in JP post was actually on target.

BTW

Are you JP's self appointed guardian angel ?

........... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

"John Popelish"

** LOL.

......... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

He referred to the transistors that the OP mentioned. "I think your driver transistors are way too wimpy." He proved the case with the BC337 and I added that the MJE340 is also too wimpy, as you showed. Thus his observation was correct, whether he considered the MJE340 or not.

You disagree that the TIP 120 he mentioned would work? You think the op's transistors aren't too wimpy?

Now that's funny! JP needs no help from me. But I think it's nice recognize a poster's contribution from time to time.

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

You could try something like this:

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where just about any general-purpose NPN/PNP pair would work, probably the 2N4401/4403 or whatever that famous pair is. You could also play around with the 470 ohm resistors, depending on how much of the output current you want the opamp to deliver. You also might want to play around with that network at the opamp output - this is an LM108, and the compensation is probably different. But this is the only example of this circuit I could find on short notice. :-)

I'm pretty sure it's also written up in The Book. ;-)

Good Luck! Rich

Reply to
Rich Grise

** JP has agreed he misread the OPs post.

The BC337 was NOT being used to drive the load so all JP's comments were irrelevant.

Just as all yours now are all irrelevant.

** No relevance.

** I though it was most patronising - actually.

** He would be far better off if you did not try.

.......... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

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