DIY ideas for a toroidal transformer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: theod3
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 17, 2022, 03:52:33 pm
content: I just started to get into electronics repair and some electronics scrapping. Super newb level. My first project will be to fix a DVD/VHS combo that seems to have some kind of board short. My aim is reuse as much as possible instead of just sell it for quick $$$. I got a toroidal transformer from a friend that made me want to do something with it. Not sure it even works correctly, but I'll figure that out later. It's pretty big, I bet it weighs 20lbs, but I think that is likely a smaller one in the grand scheme.What kind of things can I DIY with a toroidal transformer in general? It may not be this one I have, but I want to figure out some ideas. I know I can probably build some kind of power supply and they seem to be used a lot in audio amplifiers. What other kinds of things can they be used for?I've been having trouble finding this information. All the info is either "What is a toroidal transformer" or "how to scrap a toroidal transformer." At least what I have found so far, maybe that's an algorithm thing.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2022, 06:08:53 pm
content: The fact that it's toroidal is of little consequence. It's just a transformer. A core with windings. So determine its ratings and use it for whatever purpose you have in mind.

author: TheMG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2022, 07:42:13 pm
content: What the transformer will be useful for depends entirely on its ratings, particularly the voltage and current or VA ratings of each of the secondary windings.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2022, 08:22:04 pm
content: Quote from: bob91343 on August 17, 2022, 06:08:53 pmToroidals (except the type with resin in the centre) are easy to add windings to, e.g for spot-welding, or just additional voltages

author: Sengcid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2022, 04:30:58 pm
content: Inductive voltage divider or ratio transformer? Pls supply supply more details.Can you add ten turns and measure the inductance?Does it have two secondary windings? If so try to measure how closely they match (no load current).To access the monographs go to: -https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1TbomXeoBbIe-IVADaOOmyyLH9le-3wAt

author: theod3
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 18, 2022, 05:18:45 pm
content: Quote from: Sengcid on August 18, 2022, 04:30:58 pmI don't think I know enough about them to provide those additional details, so I'll study more and probably just scrap this one since I have limited space. Sounds like it's better to figure out the project first and then find a transformer that fits the needs of the project instead of building a project around the transformer.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2022, 06:19:05 pm
content: Quote from: theod3 on August 18, 2022, 05:18:45 pmI might agree if it was a conventional transformer, but toroidal transformers are very easy to modify and very versatile. Once you identify the primary winding you are home free, you can add or remove additional windings to buck or boost what is already there so you can use it for anything you want. Even if it's a normal transformer that is not easily modified you can often find a winding that produces some useful voltage that is good for something like a bench PSU.

author: theod3
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 18, 2022, 07:02:36 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on August 18, 2022, 06:19:05 pmThat's good to know. The bench power supply is kinda what I was leaning towards as a first project. I don't even have all my tools yet. Don't have a multimeter so I can't really test anything. I committed to only using funds I generated from the hobby itself to buy tools. Got a batch of DVD/VCR combos for free a few months ago and most of them turned out to work just fine so I sold them all and am starting to acquire my tools. Multimeter is next.

author: Sengcid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2022, 07:09:03 pm
content: Details of your transformer please. Approx dimensions?. Windings? Is it possible to remove windings? Can you save the wire?Can you measure the axial flux due to the primary (net circumferential turns)?