UcPure Mini 15V,12V,+/-15V,+/-12V Low-cost Third-generation Pure Ultracapacitor PSU for Analog applications

Introduction

15V,  +/-15V (or 12V, +/-12V)  are very important power supplies for audio analog circuits. People usually use low noise regulators or LDO for these applications, but the active components and feedback will limit the sound quality to reach a higher level.

Ultracapacitor power supply could be the best solution for analog sections because it is very closed to the ideal voltage source. And it has much better 1/f noise or the flicker noise over the whole noise density plot range than any other regulators. However, a higher voltage ultracapacitor power supply could be very expensive if using the 3000F huge ultracapacitors. Fortunately, many sensitive analog applications demand pretty low current (lower than 100mA). That makes it possible to build a high voltage pure ultracapacitor power supply using the low-cost standard 16V UC packs.

UcPure Mini is a third-generation high voltage ultracapacitor power supply that was specially designed for analog applications to achieve a best possible performance. Because it is a pure passive power supply, there will be neither feedback nor active components being involved when it’s working . In the pure mode, the output will be 100% isolated from input, only the pre-charged ultracapacitor pack will be connected to the load or the analog circuit. 

UcPure Mini could be the best low noise, low ESR, high voltage pure power supply in world so far. Sound quality of sensitive audio applications such as DACs, I/V stages, pre-amplifiers and many other analog circuits will be benefited greatly from this UcPure Mini power supply.

UcPure Mini Features and Specifications

• Ultra-low noise, high dynamic, compact size pure ultracapacitor analogy power supply with low cost and high flexibility
• Ultracapacitors work in class A mode which current going in only one direction
• Outputs are isolated from charger and power input at pure mode to eliminate 100% common mode EMI noise
• Standard 16V UC pack can be installed right on top of the UcPure Mini PCB using the copper standoffs for high current connection and it will be totally cable free to UC pack.
• UC pack is separate from UcPureMini PCB for a much purer working condition.
• 15V and 12V configurations, can easily be setup for +/-15V and +/-12V
• Has both precision and normal output voltage range control mode
• 5A high peak charging current, charge and re-charge ultracapacitors very fast
• Configurable input current limitation makes it possible to lower the overall cost by using small transformers. The feature can protect the transformer as well without affecting the peak charging current.
• Optimized to AC 15V input, can also work with 19V to 21V DC input.
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• Can be controlled by the built-in /external ON/OFF switch or control chain (optical isolated) of the whole power supply group
• Optical isolators are used for all internal operating logics
• Built-in protection scheme to prevent ultracapacitor from exhausted and low output voltage
• With a powerful SYNC UC charging function. Can re-charge the UCs during music stops. This feature can avoid the output voltage drop or trigger the protection mode even if you listen to music for a very long time. SYNC input control signal can be connected to the MUTE signal of a MonitorPi Mini or a FifoPiQ7. More UcPures Mini can work together with a SYNC control chain. This signal is optical isolated from UcPure so it doesn’t affect the power supply performance at all
• Heavy duty design for 24/7 operation
• DIY friendly, easy to build

Installation steps

1. Prepare the UcPureMini KIT
   a. set the jumpers to the desired voltage configuration
   and other settings.
   b. Standard 16V UC pack, make sure they are fully discharged
   c. AC 15V transformer(such as a 1182M15)
   
2. Assemble the four 10mm M3 copper female standoffs to the T1-T4 on the top side using the 3mm spring washer screws. Tighten the screws.
   Then install four 20mm M2.5 standoffs to the T5-T7 on the backside of UcPureMini as mounting feet.
   
3. Install the 16V UC pack to the UcPureMini standoffs on top using 4 M3 spring washer screws.
   T1 to the positive terminal, T2 to the negative terminal. And T3, T4 just to hold the edge of the UC pack PCB. Please tighten the screws in the T1 and T2, but doesn’t have to be very tighten for T3 and T4.
   
4. Connect the transformer 15V AC output to J3. Smaller transformers 1182K15, or 1182J15(parallel secondary windings) can also be used when enabling lower current limitation. Power up the transformer, Power LED D3 will light up. UcPureMine is capable of 5A high current charging up to 15V. So it will take less than 10 minutes to get a fully charge even for the first time of use. Full LED D8 will turn on after that. The UC self-leakage current could be higher than normal if it is
   first time being charged. Please keep it charging overnight before you use it (The ultracapacitors need 72 hours to get fully stable).
5. Turn the power switch S1 to the ON position. Both pure LED D9 and output LED D11 will light. J9 will have the pure 15V output.
   The 15V UcPureMini power supply is ready for your project now.
6. If you want, you can also do the same using a UcPureMini Dual to build a compact size +/-15V pure ultracapacitor power supply.
   

Note:

1. The default configuration will be 15V. But you can configure it to 12V by jumper settings.
2. T1, T2 and corresponding standoffs/screws will be connected to the UC pack terminals, please be very careful not to short circuit, because the voltage will be always there even at power down status. The other standoffs/screws are not connected to any circuit so they are safe.2.

UcPure Mini User's Manual

UcPure Mini YouTube Video