The Gerber files on my website have now been updated to correct the hole spacing in the PCBs: sdgelectronics.co.uk/fy6900-signal-generator-power-supply-modifications/
Note that the currently on sale versions of the FY6900 range have a different internal design. The multi rail PSU has gone and is replaced with a simple 5V PSU, and there are then boost regulators on the main PCB generating the higher voltages. This also means it can be powered from the USB socket.
Hello Mr. Gardner, this presentation was very impressive. Just purchased the fy6900, waiting for it to arrive. Would like very much to make the modifications you presented. I am a novice and enthusiast at electronics, and willing to learn as much as I am able to. Will take me some time for me to put together all the components and know how to rectify what you have found out about the generator in question. What would you suggest for me to do to build up my knowledge in the field of electronics repair? Found your channel and will be following. Thank you for your time.
Hi Steve, great work and very good descriction for the upgrade. To order the PCB's seems easy with your files. My problem is to buy all the small parts. Due to the SMD size. Most distributors want to sell always 50 or 100 or more of them. Is there a chance to get a package with all I need? A real kit?
Hi Steve, Has mentioned in a previous comment I bought a FY6900 based on your favorable evaluation and indeed it is an excellent signal generator. The documentation however is quite limited. I a trying to sweep an amplifier (dc to 1 MHz) and cannot find a means to associate a trigger to the sweeping signal to synchronize and display the respond on a scope. I tried various combinations, including "Sync" function, but without success. I would be grateful to see a video of yours on that function. Regards, RJM
That fan isn't going to do much. Air flow has to come from somewhere, and you have no venting near the front of the device. The vast majority of the air is going to move from the gaps around the rear connectors, bypassing the board. Convection may help a little - but a few holes near the front would do far more.
Hi, i was wondering if you could clear something up, at 11:09 you have inductor values of 47uH at L2 and 68uH at L1, L3 but on the bill of materials you have L1-L3 as 47uH and also you have L4, L5 as 4.7uH 12x12mm on BOM but pads don't look big enough to take such a size, am a little confused as i am half way through build and just noticed it. Thanks in advance.
I also ordered the 12x12 from the BOM, but it didn't fit. I finally ordered a smaller one at digikey. If you need the part number, i can give it to you if it's not too late
@@puddingfrais Unfortunately it was too late I had to re-order the correct size, thank you very much for the reply though. the correct size was eventually mentioned somewhere in comments either on this vid or the other but I have managed to complete the project now and I am glad to report everything is working perfectly. Thanks again though.
@@puddingfrais Hi there, would you be so kind to send me the part number of L4/L5, please? I ran into the same problem as described in this paragraph. Thanks in advance.
@sdgelectronics I tried to access this project on your webpage but isn't possible. I just bought same type of generator and I saw the issues presented by you and I am thinking to build your power supply. Links to that modeule would be welcome too. Thank you.
There are empty inductor SMD-pads on the main blue board to the ride side of power connector. Looks like for +12V and -12V rails filtering. They are shorted, but is it reasonable to cut the short-traces and solder in some inductors for additional filtering?
When I have to fix stuff like this, I cut the bosses off, then acetone weld new ones for the pcb. You can use anything and then drill it, or use actual standoffs ( not nylon of course )
Hi. I bought a FY6900 from the good review that you have done. Thank you very much. Now I would like to upgrade the power supply as per your lastest videos. Question: Does your Gerber file include now the modified position for the mounting holes? Also, what is the component name (and link) for the wire terminaison connector to the AC terminal block that you use? Thank you again for all. Regards, RJM
Since there are no perfect isolators, you will always need a resistor and a capacitor so that the residual mains current on the secondary can be directed to the protective earth. The trick is the capacitor itself should have a much larger capacitance than the capacitance provided by the isolation of the AC to DC module. Anyway, nice video, as always.
This is superb, will absolutely build this after christmas when i'm a bit more flush. will you be making the correction to the gerber for the misaligned mounting holes? Great vid.
Terrific project. I love your attention to detail e.g. ferrules on the mains inputs, etc. I just ordered a 6900 from banggood nov 20 and looking forward to having some fun. Cheers.
@8:23 Wire ferrules meaningful contribute to a safer and more reliable stranded wire termination when using terminal blocks for power delivery. Now and again makers emerge reporting a small fire on their 3D printer power board when their ferrule-less connection came loose and shorted. 3D printer movement and repeated expansion/contraction of the connection during high current heating and cooling are both contributing risk factors.
I ordered the 100 MHz version it was out of stock so I had to wait a few weeks for it to be made. I got it today and when I hooked it up and turned it on it was DOA does not turn on at all.
You can by putting a CLC filter on the output inside the feedback loop. Unfortunately, with no model for this IC, I couldn't simulate it to work out the values
Thanks Steve, I want to do this for mine, and thanks for the Gerber files, I'm rubbish at that, so I hope the boards are sent out quickly to my place here in Peterborough uk. All the best hope you have a good Christmas, and looking forward to more content from you. Paul
Just got one of these signal generators, it seems they now simplified the power supply on the main board to only use 5V and ground, while curiously still using the same power supply board, just not using the +/- 12V pins. This would make the power supply modification way easier.
Just a quick thought in respect to the grounding / floating via 10 ohm resistor I always picture that the piece of test equipment really aught to have that feature brought out and represented on the front panel by having a metal bridge across to an extra terminal. So that the user can choose whether or not to remove that bridge depending on the scenario. However that is not something on the front panel of this signal generator, especially with the outputs being BNC connectors. Sorry it's not a big deal or anything... Just wondering how that sort of thing should be done. Perhaps by cutting a little hole in the side or back of the unit and wiring up some extra links to that 10 ohm resistor. Assuming that detour does not affect the equipment adversely in terms of noise or whatever.
Yes, the FY3200 signal generator which I previously modified (it's one of my earlier videos) has a fully floating output by virtue of traditional EI core transformers and no connection whatsoever to the mains earth. The resistor could be switched in and out by an auxiliary switch on the back of this unit maybe with some higher impedance permanently in place to keep the voltage from straying too high. Thanks for the comment
@@sdgelectronics Thanks for replying. BTW just also wanted to thank you for your recommendation in your previous SM-745NTP video review of that stubby 0.35x microscope camera adapter thingy. Which also fit perfectly the 38mm hole in my new Eakins microscope. Otherwise would have been hard to find the right one. Everybody still always buying the wrong ones with the lack of standardization etc. Really appreciate it. Kind Regards have a good day
Why complicate matters? Connect the generator to a personal computer to the USB-3 port and no power supplies are needed. The generator tends to get power wherever it finds it :). You also need to remember that in standby mode, the current consumption is 500 ma, in the operating mode, the current consumption is about 600 ma.
Nice video but I'm not sure about connecting the secondary ground to safety ground using a 10 Ohm resistor. This will run some amount of current, normally small, but potentially larger, through the safety ground which shouldn't be a normal occurrence...
I'm having trouble getting hold of 2.39k resistors, will a 2.4k do or is it quite critical as its on the ADJ of the regulator? it's R10 on the DC board.
For me it doubled the cost of the unit. I did buy plenty of extra parts just to have spares though. It's not a cost effective mod, but for me it was a challenge I wanted to take on and SDG provided great documentation.
Dear Steve, I really like your PSU design and your youtube videography! Hoping that the PSU would mechanically fit into a FY6800 I would be happy :). However, you mention to have released the Gerber and BOM files here, but I can't find them among the links. Could you give me some pointers please and let me know? Thanks in advance :)
i wanted to shield the signal gen section of mine, it is spraying shit all over the place. program in a 2x Sinewave in a ARB slot using the pc software, set output to 50mhz and your actual output will be 2x / 100mhz. fm modulate it using the back input or ch2 and get a fm radio, tune it to 100mhz. even without anything connected to the bnc's and amplitude set to 0 i still can hear it transmitting for quite a distance.
@@sdgelectronics yeah im almost doe with winding the transformer so I will just finish what is started with linear power supply for the FY6900. This looked interesting but finding the smd parts ordering online from different suppliers and waiting months for delivery not worth the time. Thanks for response.
The gerbers are on my website. You should be able to directly place an order by uploading them to JLCPCB without needing any modifications. Other PCB houses may need the file extensions in the zip files re-naming to suit their process but this is simple.
Hi Steve. How would I order the AC to DC converter? I tried ebay, aliexpress and monsuns homepage, but without luck. I live in the EU. Sincerely Kasper.
Isn't 10 ohm from ground to earth unnecessarily small, making it impossible to put the bnc shield at any voltage above earth? You would get 1A and a burned resistor if you connect GND to 10V above earth. Assuming the 100v came from a ~1nf class Y cap in the power module shouldn't a 100k resistor be enough to take te output close enough to earth potential while allowing you to reference the GND to hundreds of volt above earth without much current? Or am I missing something? Nice Rossmann reference. Edit: at 200khz switching frequency I guess you would need a lower value resistor or a capacitor, perhaps something to test in a future video?
I was in two minds about this. Any 'professional' signal generator will have the BNC shield tied to mains earth, however with this comes the drawback of not being able to float the output. A higher impedance resistor would work as you mention. Thanks
English saying "Measure twice, cut once" is not good enough. We have Russian saying that translates to "Measure seven times, cut once". I also think adding extra mounting points or tolerances (a short slot instead of a hole) will never hurt but might come in handy in case of any changes in casing...
Since there are board-to-board and board-to-case mounting holes on both boards, some of them could've traded the roles in case it would be impossible to drill at that place... Standoffs could've also been extended to serve both roles. This also made me thinking, can I glue additional standoffs to the case? Dunno if nylon to ABS will hold. I would've looked for a piece of ABS to tap a thread in it...
The Gerber files on my website have now been updated to correct the hole spacing in the PCBs: sdgelectronics.co.uk/fy6900-signal-generator-power-supply-modifications/
Hi!,The link seem not working anymore,could you upload it again,thanks a lot!
I have just successfully completed this modification using your design, it works perfectly! I just wanted say thank you.
one of the few on TH-cam that correctly trims the leads before soldering, preventing the shock of cutting from damaging the solder joint. Good job!
Note that the currently on sale versions of the FY6900 range have a different internal design. The multi rail PSU has gone and is replaced with a simple 5V PSU, and there are then boost regulators on the main PCB generating the higher voltages. This also means it can be powered from the USB socket.
Hello Mr. Gardner, this presentation was very impressive. Just purchased the fy6900, waiting for it to arrive. Would like very much to make the modifications you presented. I am a novice and enthusiast at electronics, and willing to learn as much as I am able to. Will take me some time for me to put together all the components and know how to rectify what you have found out about the generator in question.
What would you suggest for me to do to build up my knowledge in the field of electronics repair?
Found your channel and will be following.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Steve, great work and very good descriction for the upgrade. To order the PCB's seems easy with your files. My problem is to buy all the small parts. Due to the SMD size. Most distributors want to sell always 50 or 100 or more of them. Is there a chance to get a package with all I need? A real kit?
when will the website be back up would like to do this mod
Hi Steve, Has mentioned in a previous comment I bought a FY6900 based on your favorable evaluation and indeed it is an excellent signal generator. The documentation however is quite limited. I a trying to sweep an amplifier (dc to 1 MHz) and cannot find a means to associate a trigger to the sweeping signal to synchronize and display the respond on a scope. I tried various combinations, including "Sync" function, but without success. I would be grateful to see a video of yours on that function. Regards, RJM
That fan isn't going to do much. Air flow has to come from somewhere, and you have no venting near the front of the device. The vast majority of the air is going to move from the gaps around the rear connectors, bypassing the board. Convection may help a little - but a few holes near the front would do far more.
There are the vents on the side of the unit, but yes, some additional vents at the very front would help a lot
Hi, i was wondering if you could clear something up, at 11:09 you have inductor values of 47uH at L2 and 68uH at L1, L3 but on the bill of materials you have L1-L3 as 47uH and also you have L4, L5 as 4.7uH 12x12mm on BOM but pads don't look big enough to take such a size, am a little confused as i am half way through build and just noticed it. Thanks in advance.
I also ordered the 12x12 from the BOM, but it didn't fit. I finally ordered a smaller one at digikey. If you need the part number, i can give it to you if it's not too late
@@puddingfrais Unfortunately it was too late I had to re-order the correct size, thank you very much for the reply though. the correct size was eventually mentioned somewhere in comments either on this vid or the other but I have managed to complete the project now and I am glad to report everything is working perfectly. Thanks again though.
@@puddingfrais Hi there, would you be so kind to send me the part number of L4/L5, please? I ran into the same problem as described in this paragraph. Thanks in advance.
@sdgelectronics I tried to access this project on your webpage but isn't possible. I just bought same type of generator and I saw the issues presented by you and I am thinking to build your power supply. Links to that modeule would be welcome too. Thank you.
Thank you Steve. I used your plans and my FY6900 device is now running on your power supply design and it works well!!
There are empty inductor SMD-pads on the main blue board to the ride side of power connector. Looks like for +12V and -12V rails filtering. They are shorted, but is it reasonable to cut the short-traces and solder in some inductors for additional filtering?
When I have to fix stuff like this, I cut the bosses off, then acetone weld new ones for the pcb. You can use anything and then drill it, or use actual standoffs ( not nylon of course )
Hi. I bought a FY6900 from the good review that you have done. Thank you very much. Now I would like to upgrade the power supply as per your lastest videos. Question: Does your Gerber file include now the modified position for the mounting holes? Also, what is the component name (and link) for the wire terminaison connector to the AC terminal block that you use? Thank you again for all. Regards, RJM
I've updated to include the correct hole spacing. Do you mean the wire ferrules? uk.farnell.com/te-connectivity/966067-9/crimp-terminal/dp/1822091
Hi. Yes! Please explain the advantage of using those. Thank you. Thank you also for the updated gerber. Regards. RJM
Since there are no perfect isolators, you will always need a resistor and a capacitor so that the residual mains current on the secondary can be directed to the protective earth. The trick is the capacitor itself should have a much larger capacitance than the capacitance provided by the isolation of the AC to DC module.
Anyway, nice video, as always.
This is superb, will absolutely build this after christmas when i'm a bit more flush. will you be making the correction to the gerber for the misaligned mounting holes? Great vid.
Terrific project. I love your attention to detail e.g. ferrules on the mains inputs, etc. I just ordered a 6900 from banggood nov 20 and looking forward to having some fun. Cheers.
Brilliant! I wish I could buy one with your mods already applied.
@8:23 Wire ferrules meaningful contribute to a safer and more reliable stranded wire termination when using terminal blocks for power delivery. Now and again makers emerge reporting a small fire on their 3D printer power board when their ferrule-less connection came loose and shorted.
3D printer movement and repeated expansion/contraction of the connection during high current heating and cooling are both contributing risk factors.
I ordered the 100 MHz version it was out of stock so I had to wait a few weeks for it to be made. I got it today and when I hooked it up and turned it on it was DOA does not turn on at all.
Would it have been possible to remove the ripple from the switch mode converters without using linear regulators?
You can by putting a CLC filter on the output inside the feedback loop. Unfortunately, with no model for this IC, I couldn't simulate it to work out the values
Hi Steve, Did or will you update the AC pcb layout for the correct hole locations to the case?
Yes, it's corrected now.
@@sdgelectronics Many Thanks Sir
Thanks Steve, I want to do this for mine, and thanks for the Gerber files, I'm rubbish at that, so I hope the boards are sent out quickly to my place here in Peterborough uk.
All the best hope you have a good Christmas, and looking forward to more content from you.
Paul
Paul, I'm probably not far from you. Send me an e-mail through the "About" page on my channel. I have spare PCBs.
Wow that was a quick reply, I sent a email off to you
Just got one of these signal generators, it seems they now simplified the power supply on the main board to only use 5V and ground, while curiously still using the same power supply board, just not using the +/- 12V pins. This would make the power supply modification way easier.
Hello. I'v designed a PCB for GPSDO time base for such generators.
Good video, I would never have thought of using a high isolation power supply for medicinal use. here in my country sell the MORNSUN, thanks friend
beautiful project
Just a quick thought in respect to the grounding / floating via 10 ohm resistor I always picture that the piece of test equipment really aught to have that feature brought out and represented on the front panel by having a metal bridge across to an extra terminal. So that the user can choose whether or not to remove that bridge depending on the scenario. However that is not something on the front panel of this signal generator, especially with the outputs being BNC connectors. Sorry it's not a big deal or anything... Just wondering how that sort of thing should be done. Perhaps by cutting a little hole in the side or back of the unit and wiring up some extra links to that 10 ohm resistor. Assuming that detour does not affect the equipment adversely in terms of noise or whatever.
Yes, the FY3200 signal generator which I previously modified (it's one of my earlier videos) has a fully floating output by virtue of traditional EI core transformers and no connection whatsoever to the mains earth. The resistor could be switched in and out by an auxiliary switch on the back of this unit maybe with some higher impedance permanently in place to keep the voltage from straying too high. Thanks for the comment
@@sdgelectronics Thanks for replying. BTW just also wanted to thank you for your recommendation in your previous SM-745NTP video review of that stubby 0.35x microscope camera adapter thingy. Which also fit perfectly the 38mm hole in my new Eakins microscope. Otherwise would have been hard to find the right one. Everybody still always buying the wrong ones with the lack of standardization etc. Really appreciate it. Kind Regards have a good day
How hot does the AC-DC 24v module get? It doesn't have too much space for air to flow next to its plastic case and probably it dissipates some heat...
There is only minimal temperature increase. Nothing concerning at all.
Why complicate matters?
Connect the generator to a personal computer to the USB-3 port and no power supplies are needed. The generator tends to get power wherever it finds it :).
You also need to remember that in standby mode, the current consumption is 500 ma, in the operating mode, the current consumption is about 600 ma.
Nice video but I'm not sure about connecting the secondary ground to safety ground using a 10 Ohm resistor. This will run some amount of current, normally small, but potentially larger, through the safety ground which shouldn't be a normal occurrence...
Excellent video thank you for posting and providing the PCB files 😀
I'm having trouble getting hold of 2.39k resistors, will a 2.4k do or is it quite critical as its on the ADJ of the regulator? it's R10 on the DC board.
It'll be fine with 2.4k
@@sdgelectronics Fantastic, thank you so much for your reply.
With regards to shutting equipment off , I use a plug strip with double pole switch on the strip .
Fan Spin :-) Nice project! I should go watch your review of this function gen -- assuming you have one.
Great job Steve...somehow I just knew you weren't going to glue the new PCB to the side of the case! ;-)
You could have drilled the PCB holes further and use some washers, to savage the case screw holes. but it looks great anyways :)
Great work
Great project....makes me wanna buy the signal generator !
So in summary, what is the cost of building replacement for that power supply?:)
For me it doubled the cost of the unit. I did buy plenty of extra parts just to have spares though. It's not a cost effective mod, but for me it was a challenge I wanted to take on and SDG provided great documentation.
Dear Steve, I really like your PSU design and your youtube videography! Hoping that the PSU would mechanically fit into a FY6800 I would be happy :). However, you mention to have released the Gerber and BOM files here, but I can't find them among the links. Could you give me some pointers please and let me know? Thanks in advance :)
Sorry, I'd put them in a card but I realise they don't show up on all devices. I've updated the description with a direct link.
i wanted to shield the signal gen section of mine, it is spraying shit all over the place.
program in a 2x Sinewave in a ARB slot using the pc software, set output to 50mhz and your actual output will be 2x / 100mhz.
fm modulate it using the back input or ch2 and get a fm radio, tune it to 100mhz.
even without anything connected to the bnc's and amplitude set to 0 i still can hear it transmitting for quite a distance.
Let me try that out
Any kits available?
Kits are a little hard to manage, so no. But all of the information you need should be on the website and these videos.
@@sdgelectronics yeah im almost doe with winding the transformer so I will just finish what is started with linear power supply for the FY6900. This looked interesting but finding the smd parts ordering online from different suppliers and waiting months for delivery not worth the time. Thanks for response.
Hello.
Could you please explain me.
What was the actual reason for P.S. enhancement?
Thank you in advance.
I would also like to know why. For firesecurity reasons only?
Is it possible to purchase boards from you or from jlpcb using your design?
The gerbers are on my website. You should be able to directly place an order by uploading them to JLCPCB without needing any modifications. Other PCB houses may need the file extensions in the zip files re-naming to suit their process but this is simple.
Hi Steve. How would I order the AC to DC converter? I tried ebay, aliexpress and monsuns homepage, but without luck. I live in the EU. Sincerely Kasper.
I bought it from LCSC. Not sure if there are any pin compatible substitutes
@@sdgelectronics Thanks.
Isn't 10 ohm from ground to earth unnecessarily small, making it impossible to put the bnc shield at any voltage above earth? You would get 1A and a burned resistor if you connect GND to 10V above earth.
Assuming the 100v came from a ~1nf class Y cap in the power module shouldn't a 100k resistor be enough to take te output close enough to earth potential while allowing you to reference the GND to hundreds of volt above earth without much current?
Or am I missing something?
Nice Rossmann reference.
Edit: at 200khz switching frequency I guess you would need a lower value resistor or a capacitor, perhaps something to test in a future video?
I was in two minds about this. Any 'professional' signal generator will have the BNC shield tied to mains earth, however with this comes the drawback of not being able to float the output. A higher impedance resistor would work as you mention. Thanks
Thanks for sharing,,,, JLCPCB has a new order!!!
English saying "Measure twice, cut once" is not good enough. We have Russian saying that translates to "Measure seven times, cut once".
I also think adding extra mounting points or tolerances (a short slot instead of a hole) will never hurt but might come in handy in case of any changes in casing...
1:1 paper printout to check how it fits the envelope - would've accounted for some of these seven.
Since there are board-to-board and board-to-case mounting holes on both boards, some of them could've traded the roles in case it would be impossible to drill at that place...
Standoffs could've also been extended to serve both roles.
This also made me thinking, can I glue additional standoffs to the case? Dunno if nylon to ABS will hold. I would've looked for a piece of ABS to tap a thread in it...
Nice work, but adding almost $100 to the cost puts you close to the price range of a used HP33120a.. any advantages to this model over that option?
Not really. If you can find a good used model then it's preferred other than potentially the user interface being a little frustrating.
Nice :)!
What you do for living?
He used to train dolphins, but now he's the guy who reverses planes back into their hangars
EXCELLENT JOB !!! tnx for the video !
73 N8AUM