[sdiy] Potted expo converters

[Peter Grenader]

Ladies Tangents,

I remember one day I got all excited at this brainstorm I got that you could
(sort of) duplicate the functionality of the ua726 by using the remaining
trannies in a 3046 as a self heater, only to find it had been done a billion
times before when I posted the idea on this list.

d'OHI!

So, here's another lightbulb that appeared over my head that I'd thought I'd
bounce off you all  that I'm also willing to bet ain't original, either...

I remember when I was an engineering tech two billion years ago, we used to
glue thermocouples to the windings of 1/2 horsepower electric motors using
thermally conductive epoxy for UL lock-rotor tests. the material seemed to
be was astonishingly heat conductive. But...we were dealing with
thermocouples which could detect a match being lit in the next room (not
really of course, but you know what I mean).

Along the same lines, has anyone tried potting the tempco/expo converter
pair in conductive epoxy to A) improve heat transfer from one another and B)
aid in isolation from ambient conditions?

Just curious.

I know a few manufacturers, Steiner-Parker included,  used to place all
three parts in a little metal box filled with thermal compound.  The
alternative I'm mentioning here seems much less messy.

Considering we're dealing with comparatively low voltages, I assume there
wouldn't be a lot of difference, but if it meant an improvement in stability
even a little may be worth it.  I tell you what - it's a lot easier than
scanning the globe for 726s all the damn time.

anyone?

anyone??

thanks in advance,


Peter