I came across this item on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Power-Automatic-Step-UP-Down-Power-Module-DC-DC-Converter-LTC3780-converter-/311230353203?hash=item4876c64f33
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the heatsink looks kind of inadequate for supporting up to 14A. How safe is this item really on high current loads?
Stuff from unknown manufacturer's sold on eBay is always somewhat suspect....
But, it might be true.... An ideal switching power supply is 100% efficient and doesn't dissipate any heat. Real world switching power supplies can be nearly 100% efficient.
The heatsink is not the problem. Good DC-DC modules can output a few amps without any heatsink.
The wire for the coil seems thin for 14A. I doubt if the connectors are for 14A. Can the capacitors handle more than 14A pulses ?
Looking at it, I think 5A should be possible. In the long run, the capacitors are my main concern.
Perfectly reasonable looking converter - this is a large board, 3.5 x 2 inches, its pretty thick
wire on that inductor.
However caveat emptor - cheap Chinese amps are not always as large as normal amps! And
peak current and continuous current are not the same thing.
Try it and see how hot it gets? That looks like a cut above the usual chinese buck/boost converters, it might work close to rated specs.
Worth noting that I've been using 150W chinese DC DC converters at ~150W load, and I've been happy with their performance.
Thanks for all the input. I am planning to get a similar model that comes with the adjustable cc pot as well. I am looking at creating a DIY bench power supply with it.
That actually looks like a very useful board. (for a variety of applications)