I posted this question quite some time ago and got some ideas but I fell short on finding a way to implement them, also some of my requirements have changed slightly since then.
I work on many different robotics type projects, and there are many more I'm interested in but would like to create a single PCB that I can add to any project to provide me the power I might need. The idea here is to come up with a good working design, board it, then make like 10-15 so whenever I need power I just grab a power board and drop it in my project.
Exactly what I am looking for is this:
* Input voltage will be a LiPo battery pack (or packs) around 14-24 VDC with 125 AMP continuous discharge capacity (250A burst).
* I need 3 outputs: +3.3 VDC @ 3A and +5.0 VDC @ 3A for Microcontrollers, and a +6.0 VDC @ 120A for motors/servos/etc.
* I would like them to be regulated (+/- 0.5 volts or so).
* Loads will vary significantly over time (driving large servos with high current draw).
* I expect maximum current draw to be on the order of around 120 AMPS max (each servo can draw ~2.0 AMPS while running and ~5.21 AMPS at stall, we typically run around 24 servos, although it's unlikely that they ALL will hit stall simultaneously)
* I need the circuit to be very efficient, drawing these kinds of loads I need the batteries to last as long as possible.
I've been toying with the idea of using LM2576-3.3's and LM2576-5.0's for the 3.3vdc & 5.0vdc power, but I have no idea what's out there for supplying 120A @ 6.0vdc... Also, is there a better/cheaper way to do switching regulated power than the LM2576's? I saw MikeMI (I believe from here) post something at
2-transistor Black Regulator that didn't use the LM2576, but I didn't see any specifications on how many amps it was capable of.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, even if you could just point me in the right direction.
Thanks!