Buck controller modulization

[Bones]

Since the controller at times can be difficult to mount where you'd want it I decided to create a mounting module that can be set directly in place for contolling it and not get in the way of anything, plus the module once I get the connectors like I want it can be moved from board to board.

I used an old PCI slot LAN card I had lying around, wasn't using it so instead of tossing it I made it work to this end.

I disabled the card itself by severing the connections to the gold fingers rendering the card itself electrically inert so the card woudn't cause any damage to the board I set it into. Had to do that because the mounting holes for the controller had to be drilled through the card itself. Used some coarse sandpaper to do it along with a small file. Note that I left the fingers themselves in place to make sure the card still fits correctly without alot of wobbling, you do have to press the buttons on the controller so making sure it would still be secure in place was the thing.

Next I had to drill the holes, that was easy to do. Removed things like caps that would get in the way, mocked up where I wanted it to be and did the deed.

Then I insulated the part of the card where the controller itself would be, the components of the card are still connected internally and the controller does have a few exposed connections on it's back. 
The tape will prevent a short from being created through the card affecting the controller.

Mounted it with some small, fine screws and that's where I am so far. I still have to get some connectors and crimp those on and make sure the screws aren't too long as to interfere with anything in an ajacent slot. If so I can shorten them, no prob and after making sure all looks OK I'll test it to see what happens.

Maybe this is something one of you has done already but if not, here it is.
Enjoy.

[Bones]

OK - Testing revealed a problem, in this case I'm not gonna suggest trying this at all until I can rule out the mod itself as the problem BUT didn't see anything about the mod itself being the culprit, visually that is.

The first test showed basically no voltage going through with the 5 volt line for power so I then tried it with the 12v line and that's when the smoke appeared. The module can handle 12v's no prob (Rated max is 36v's) so it wasn't an overvolt issue.

After removing it from the card and such, retested the module with 5v's going to it and it's still working but the voltage can't be adjusted properly, ranges now from about 4.0 to 4.3v's output according to my voltmeter and the module's display agrees with this. It actually goes UP when I try to set it lower and goes a little lower when I raise the module's output setting so.... It's still useable for BH5 sticks but that is some high voltage even for those.

Guess I'll build something else to try and make things work but have to admit the way it was, controlling it was easy to do. Bummed something went wrong but it didn't cost much and at least it still works and can be used if I really want to zap a set of BH5 sticks with it.

[Macsbeach98]

I have one question when you are testing output voltage have you got a load on it?
It will never adjust properly with no load at all and just your multimeter probes connected to the output. Go to radio shack and get a 5w 20ohm resistor and connect across the outputs that will put a load of .2 amp at 4 volt then it will regulate Ok of course you dont need that when its connected to the memory circuit.
Using 5v in you wont get 5v out because of diode forward bias inside the regulator and it could have more than one one transistor junction in there I forget what Scotty said he got out of one driving a set of BH5 with but it was below 3.6v when he used 12v input he had plenty of voltage also dont forget to turn the adjuster down if you switch from 5v to 12v.

[Bones]

Had it hooked to the wire going to my RAM when I had the issues so it had a load but didn't show any output, it was when I changed input voltage from 5 to 12v's that the smoke appeared.

Testing afterwards was done with no load, only to verify if anything was getting through at all since it did smoke. ATM it does "Seem" it's still useable but I will do as you suggest - That will make the next step today to see if it still works under load as you said and see if it acts properly.

[Macsbeach98]

Ah Ok and it was the module that smoked.
I dont see it working anymore then when under load but you never know till you try.
Good Luck.

[Bones]

That's right - Smoked the transistor and did a little testing with a small CPU cooling fan.
While it is letting voltage pass through the module I can't set or change the voltage going through it, the buttons have no effect on this and even switching it off does nothing, I still get voltage passing through the module.

Most likely scenario - I hooked it up wrong to the board, had the ground on the module's output side connected to one of the MB standoff ground rings since that is a ground, the positive output going to the wire soldered to the spot on the board the dirty punk mod normally goes to.

I did try it without a ground, then with the ground but nothing happens either way but I do get voltage output if I hook it up to the fan (Ground-Black / Red to positive output post - 5V's).... If I hook it to the board I get nothing passing through the module to the board.

I'll need to double check my connection wire to the board itself just ot be sure nothing is wrong there and that I didn't hook it up to the wrong spot.
The board itself still works fine.

[Macsbeach98]

What board are you trying this on Rodney it probably wont work on all boards as the OCZ booster wont.
I put my booster on a DFI Lanparty Nforce 2 RevA they have a 5 pin regulator for the memory circuit and when I started to raise the voltage on the booster the voltage raised very slightly then stopped and as I tried to raise the voltage more it blew the mosfets off the booster.
The board was ok after it but I had to replace the mosfets on the booster.
Of course the booster never went back in that board.

[Bones]

Using an NF7- 2.0.