0-28V 6-8A Power Supply (LM317, 2N3055)

This is an easy to make power supply which has stable, clean and regulator 0-28V 6/8 Amp
output voltage. By using two 2N3055 transistors we become more then 2 times the amount of
amps then the power supply delivers, making it real though to brake ;). Although you could use
this design to deliver 20 amps (with almost no modifications and with a proper transformer and a
huge heat sink with a fan), I did not needed such much power. Make sure you mount them on a
huge heat sink, as the 2N3055 transistors can get very hot at full load.

Although the LM-317 power regulator will kick in on shortcircuit, overload and thermal
overheating, the fuses in the primary section of the transformer and the fuse F2 at the output will
secure your power supply. The rectified voltage of: 30 volt x SQR2 = 30 x 1.41 = 42.30 volt
measured on C1. So all capacitors should be rated at 50 volts. Caution: 42 volt is the voltage that
could be on the output if one of the transistors should blow.
P1 allows you to 'regulate' the output voltage to anything between 0 and 28 volts. The LM317
lowest voltage is 1.2 volt. To have a zero voltage on the output I've put 3 diodes D7,D8 and D9
on the output of the LM317 to the base of the 2N3055 transistors. The LM317 maximum output
voltage is 30 volts, but using the diodes D7,D8 & D9 the output voltage is approx 30v - (3x 0.6v)
= 28.2volt.
Calibrate your build-in voltmeter using P3 and, of course, a good digital voltmeter.
P2 will allow you to set the limit of the maximum available amps at the output +Vcc. When
using a 100 Ohm/1watt varistat the current is limited to approx. 3 Amps @ 47 Ohm and +- 1
Amp @ 100 Ohms.
Note:
The collectors of the finals needs to be soldered with a wire all together if the transistors even if
they are isolated from the heatsink or not. If you do not isolated the finals from the heatsink, then
please make sure the heatsink does not make contact with the chassis (metal casing where you
plan to build the PS into).
Remember to use thick wires suitable for transfering the current needed according to the power
supply you tend to build.
Part list for 6/8 Amp regulatable power supply (PSR28A68):
2 x 15 volt (30volt total) 6+- amps
D1...D4 = four MR750 (MR7510) diodes (MR750 = 6 Ampere diode) or 2 x 4 1N5401 (1N5408)
diodes.
F1 = 1 Amp
F2 = 10 amp
R1 2k2 2,5 Watt
R2 240 ohm
R3,R4 0.1 ohm 10 watt
R7 6k8
R8 10k

R9 47 0.5 watt
R10 8k2
C1,C7,C9 47nF
C11 22nF
C2 two times 4700uF/50v
C3,C5 10uF/50v
C4,C6 100nF
C8 330uF/50v
C10 1uF/16v
D5 1N4148, 1N4448, 1N4151
D6 1N4001
D10 1N5401
D11 LED
D7, D8, D9 1N4001
IC1 LM317
Two 2N3055 transistors
P1 5k
P2 47 Ohm or 220 Ohm 1 watt * (be sure you can reach 0 ohms as any resistance limits the
current)
P3 10k trimmer
Calibration:
- Get your hands on a calibrated digital meter or a good analog meter and measure the voltage at
the output of the power supply.
- Turn P1 to maximum (maximum voltage of our power supply).
- Adjust P3 till the meter needle shows maximum result (end scale)
- If you want to calibrate the scale, turn P1 to several voltages (like every volt) and confirm each
time with your calibrated voltage meter. Make a mark on your power supply meter-scale to

calibrate the meter.

- You should see equal spaced voltage marks on your home-made scale if your meter is a linear
type.
Less maximum output voltage needed?
In operation, the LM317 develops a nominal 1.25V reference voltage, VREF, between the output
and adjustment terminal.
The reference voltage is impressed across program resistor R1 and, since the voltage is constant,
a constant current I1 then flows through the output set resistor R2, giving an
output voltage of
Since the 100 uA current from the adjustment terminal represents an error term, the LM317 was
designed to minimize IADJ and make it very constant with line and load changes.
To do this, all quiescent operating current is returned to the output establishing a minimum load
current requirement. If there is insufficient load on the output, the output will rise.
Less amps needed?
Well, without much modification you can:
- only one 2N3055, will give you 4...5 amps.
- the bridge rectifier (D1...D4) only needs 4 x 1N5401 (any +/- 3 amp diodes as only halve of the
max. amp is needed, so we have some room when short-circuited)
- one 4700uF (C2) is sufficient
- F2 = 6 amp
- D5, D10 = 1N4001
The power supply insides
Heat sink
Remember to isolate the transistors from the chassis/radiator! Use a radiator (heat sink) of
appropriate size and surface area; insulating and heat-conducting spacer or at least a thin mica;
hot adhesive and thermal paste.
Finished power supply:
Note: You can add a 3th 2N3055 and use for R9=27 Ohm, to make a 10/12 ampere power supply
of the design stated above.