STEPS case question

[derek_lukasik]

Finished up a STEPS tonight. Almost worked on the first try. Messed up one solder joint on the voltage regulator and ended up with the DC output equal to the output after the bridge. Soldered it up right and it worked like a charm. Nothing blew up, which was nice.

Then, I went to stuff it in a Hammond 1455N16 and it doesn't quite fit. The fins on the transformer interfere a bit with the top groove. So, before I whip out the Dremel and do something drastic, I thought I would ask the experts. Should I trim those fins back a bit for clearance? Is that safe? Or, I guess I could grind down the rail on the case a bit. Which option should I pursue? Anyone else run into this problem?

Thanks,

Derek

 

[amb]

The extruded U-shaped base of the Hammon case will cave-inward a bit when the top cover is removed. There is no need to dremel anything, just spread the walls open a bit to make some clearance and slide the board in. The transformer won't interfere any more when you slide the top cover back on.

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek_lukasik The fins on the transformer interfere a bit with the top groove.

Try the case the other way around. (i.e. with the removable panel on the bottom)

 

[derek_lukasik]

Thanks guys. I'll give it another try tonight.

Derek

 

[derek_lukasik]

Quick update. I managed to get my STEPS board into the 1455N16 case. It turns out that the legs of the toroid were not completely through the board. So, the case of the toroid was not sitting flush with the board. I remelted the solder joints and pressed the transformer down flush. This -almost- gave it the clearance it needed to make it in the case.

It wasn't a problem width-wise getting the board into the case. It was the height of the transformer interfering with the guide rails for the top of the case. I did end up having to trim a mm or two off of a couple of the fins of the transformer. It's a tight fit, but it's all cased up now and working well.

Thanks again,

Derek