Skip to content
  • MySensors
  • OpenHardware.io
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
Skins
  • Light
  • Brite
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Brand Logo
  1. Home
  2. My Project
  3. Transformer-less power supply

Transformer-less power supply

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved My Project
19 Posts 8 Posters 6.4k Views 7 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • T Toyman

    @Suresh-Mali
    I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
    a ) transformer-less
    b ) professionally tested (more or less)
    https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

    Suresh MaliS Offline
    Suresh MaliS Offline
    Suresh Mali
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    @sundberg84 Thanks for your valuable information.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • T Toyman

      @Suresh-Mali
      I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
      a ) transformer-less
      b ) professionally tested (more or less)
      https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

      Suresh MaliS Offline
      Suresh MaliS Offline
      Suresh Mali
      wrote on last edited by
      #9

      @Toyman That helps. Thanks.

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

        Hi,
        Can I use a Capacitor-Resistor voltage dropper circuit without isolation to power up my Node like the one in below image.

        alt text

        I understand the node would not be mains isolated and would be a risk if touched. Apart from this are there any other risks or performance issues that I should be concerned of before I dive into constructing this circuit. I will add a LDO regulator at the output to get a regulated supply.

        Please share your thoughts and views. Thanks

        Suresh MaliS Offline
        Suresh MaliS Offline
        Suresh Mali
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        @Suresh-Mali I modified the above schematic, just to add some protection and regulation.
        0_1507188250336_AC_DC_Transformerless.png

        gahlawathomeG 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • T Toyman

          @Suresh-Mali
          I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
          a ) transformer-less
          b ) professionally tested (more or less)
          https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

          Nca78N Offline
          Nca78N Offline
          Nca78
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          @Toyman could you provide a link to the product please ?

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • T Toyman

            @Suresh-Mali
            I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
            a ) transformer-less
            b ) professionally tested (more or less)
            https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

            sundberg84S Offline
            sundberg84S Offline
            sundberg84
            Hardware Contributor
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            @Toyman said in Transformer-less power supply:

            @Suresh-Mali
            I am currently working on reflashing a nrf51822 based smart socket to mySensors. The schematics were reversed-engineered by another guy, but it might be helpful to you as it
            a ) transformer-less
            b ) professionally tested (more or less)
            https://habrastorage.org/files/2e9/76f/0b3/2e976f0b321e470a8d44a37717bc7098.jpg

            Even if you take a tested product and reverse-enginner it it's not tested and approved any longer when you build it yourself.

            Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
            MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
            MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
            RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • rvendrameR Offline
              rvendrameR Offline
              rvendrame
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              Despite the security (which of course is the most important aspect here), such kind of circuit usually consumes from 2 to 10w (depending on AC voltage and C1 value), no matter in standby or not. I did some testing in the past and at end I dropped in favor of hi-link and similar small PSUs.

              Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
              ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
              Alexa / Google Home

              Suresh MaliS 1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • rvendrameR rvendrame

                Despite the security (which of course is the most important aspect here), such kind of circuit usually consumes from 2 to 10w (depending on AC voltage and C1 value), no matter in standby or not. I did some testing in the past and at end I dropped in favor of hi-link and similar small PSUs.

                Suresh MaliS Offline
                Suresh MaliS Offline
                Suresh Mali
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                @rvendrame My current design uses Hi Link 5V PSU, however I am looking at lowering the cost and this was one of the options.

                I also reverse engineered some cheap 5v phone chargers, its an SMPS based design using single transistor. Are safe as there is isolation.

                This might be my next option to look into. The problem is with the transformer. How do I get the transformer to my specification. Do I wind them myself? will have to look into it.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • rvendrameR Offline
                  rvendrameR Offline
                  rvendrame
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #15

                  You can find "Hi-link like" PSUs at Aliexpress for less than $2 USD. Not sure how less you can reach by producing them by yourself.

                  Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                  ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                  Alexa / Google Home

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • gohanG Offline
                    gohanG Offline
                    gohan
                    Mod
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #16

                    I would not save too much on something that may burn down your house

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • TmasterT Offline
                      TmasterT Offline
                      Tmaster
                      wrote on last edited by Tmaster
                      #17

                      myself already debate a little of this kind os tranformless power supply a few months ago.
                      here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6927/3-3-or-5v-tranformer-for-mysensors-projects/11

                      at the time i found how my zwavemodules worked.and that is the skematic:
                      0_1507718124037_upload-6cf91f85-89d8-496d-bfae-544251642ec2

                      It's tested by them and working on my house for more than 3 years and no problem.

                      the point that i reach is: doesn't worth build all this crap when a 2€ mini transformer do the same but safer.

                      i'm a arduino fan .Even sometimes don't undestanding how to use it :P

                      Suresh MaliS 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • TmasterT Tmaster

                        myself already debate a little of this kind os tranformless power supply a few months ago.
                        here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6927/3-3-or-5v-tranformer-for-mysensors-projects/11

                        at the time i found how my zwavemodules worked.and that is the skematic:
                        0_1507718124037_upload-6cf91f85-89d8-496d-bfae-544251642ec2

                        It's tested by them and working on my house for more than 3 years and no problem.

                        the point that i reach is: doesn't worth build all this crap when a 2€ mini transformer do the same but safer.

                        Suresh MaliS Offline
                        Suresh MaliS Offline
                        Suresh Mali
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #18

                        @Tmaster Thanks for bringing this up. I was able to find LNK family ICs where I'll be able to source at cheaper price. I have ordered some LNK306 to test them. Cost me 80Rs/$1 and some cents. Will test once I receive them and post the results.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • Suresh MaliS Suresh Mali

                          @Suresh-Mali I modified the above schematic, just to add some protection and regulation.
                          0_1507188250336_AC_DC_Transformerless.png

                          gahlawathomeG Offline
                          gahlawathomeG Offline
                          gahlawathome
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #19

                          @Suresh-Mali I recall from discussion back that using a Linear regulator like 7805 at the end of this sort of power supply is almost always a bad idea. Here every design use Zener for a reason. Zener will only dissipate heat when there is extra power available. Linear regulator will always dissipate power leaving less available power for your application.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          Reply
                          • Reply as topic
                          Log in to reply
                          • Oldest to Newest
                          • Newest to Oldest
                          • Most Votes


                          28

                          Online

                          11.7k

                          Users

                          11.2k

                          Topics

                          113.1k

                          Posts


                          Copyright 2025 TBD   |   Forum Guidelines   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service
                          • Login

                          • Don't have an account? Register

                          • Login or register to search.
                          • First post
                            Last post
                          0
                          • MySensors
                          • OpenHardware.io
                          • Categories
                          • Recent
                          • Tags
                          • Popular