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Stan’s Legacy

Goeytex

22 posts · 6 more in threads this archive does not carry · writing between Jun 2009 and Jul 2009

An identity on IonizationX as it was harvested, not an account on this site. Nobody here has claimed it, and nothing connects it to a person by name.

Stevie,

The circuit you posted above  is not properly implementing the VCO section of the 4046.   By definition the oscillator is Voltage Controlled,  yet the control signal is missing and the VCOIN pin 9  is left floating.   Also,  R2 (pin 12)  is not being used.   This means the user could adjust the frequency  down to  0 hz,  causing full current DC across the load.  This will likely smoke a transformer.

When the 4046 VCO is implement properly,  R1 and C1 set the range and center frequency.  R2 sets the offset.    Then a voltage at VCO IN  (Pin 9)  controls the frequency in the ICs linear range.  This voltage will be from about . 5 Vdc  to about 4.2  Vdc assuming a 5 V Vdd supply .  

The output will then be a 50 percent duty cycle square wave from Fmin to Fmax  (as set by C1,  R1,  and R2)
 where ... .5v at VCO IN = Fmin Out  and 4.2V at VCO IN = Fmax Out .     R1 should not be used to control frequency,  but rather to set the center frequency / range.  Again I am assuming a VDD of 5V.

I would attach a schematic of an  actual working  circuit of a properly implemented 4046,  but I cant see how to do that here.   ( Thanks for the tip - file is attached now)

The NTE4046B is an overpriced replacement version of the CD4046.  The 74HC4046 is a somewhat  updated version with a better a PLL section and higher frequency capability.   Both the 74HC4046 and the CD4046 are still available through Mouser for less than $1 each.  The NTE4046 lists for over $3.50 each.   NTE parts many times do not perform to spec.  NTE does not even publish a Data Sheet for their 4046.  Personally,  I would avoid the NTE version.   Texas Instruments still makes this somewhat obsolete CD4046  IC.   These will probably be discontinued soon like many of the  older logic series  IC's.  

Meyer could not have  used an NTE4046  since NTE did not make a 4046 in 1985.  Meyer probably used a National Semiconductor  or ST Micro version of the 4046.    

Stevie,  you may want to double check your stated "400ma"  output specification.  These are low power devices designed to clock CMOS logic.  2- 4 ma would be about max.   At 12 Volts out and 400ma that would be about 2.4 watts at 50 % duty cycle.  Not likely to happen without some smoke since this chip can only dissipate 500mw max.    

 
Another interesting IC is the older 74LS629.  This is a dual VCO  Chip ( NO PLL)  good to about  20 mhz.  

Tubing

#3 · date not recorded

You may also want to check ot McMaster Carr.  Still expensive though. 

For a  single  6"  tube test unit  I have modified an Ace Hardware Whole House Water Filter. Part Number HF-360 ACE.   You can   easily get a lot more tubes in there.   The body is Clear Acrylic. And it is machined to screw into the base.  Sealed with an O ring.

I just mounted some legs made from  aluminum flat bar ( Lowes/Home Depot)  an turned it upside down.   Then I made a round base from a  piece of PE ( Plastic Cutting Board) that fits inside the the fliter base to seal it up and to use as a flat base for the tube holder.    Glued that  in with  marine adhesive.   

If you are on a budget,  this makes a good unit for testing and the cost is only $38.00 for the filter.  Compared with $200-300  for a piece of Acrylic Tubing its a good deal.

Goey