Tweakers' Asylum

Posted by pictureguy (A) on November 02, 2022 at 15:28:35

In Reply to: RE: Opinions sought on inductor type posted by JCarney on October 27, 2022 at 08:23:29

Inductors are kind of a '3rd rail' issue.

First? If power handling is an issue, use aircore. Iron core will saturate and 'distort'.

Matching DCR / Inductance IS an issue. The Magnepan Mod guys who go after stock crossovers LOVE to change the 0.4ohm DCR inductor for one 1/2 that in resistance. But that's only going to make maybe a 1db difference....Given that the inductor is in series with a 4ohm driver.....give or take.
The change in driver balance is MINOR, perhaps.....
This is for the MG1.6. New Maggies use series crossovers and are designed to be DIY-Proof.....

More important, IMO? Inductor have the same number of TURNS per Layer as Layers.....This makes an inductor in which the coil is SQUARE in cross section. Adjusting for size of wire, length of wire AND core size can result in this 'theoretically perfect' dimension......

And Finally? IF multiple inductors on the crossover board? Should be AT RIGHT ANGLES as much as possible. Standing up? Laying down? At a 90degre ot either of the above? They will otherwise COUPLE in an unpredictable manner.....

If you want to just get a grip on these issues? Find an online inductor calculator and run some 'thought experiments'.......I did so and evolved an inductor using STOCK PVC pipe as a core AND with the same number of layers as turns AND within 5% of stock DCR and it was Aircore and NOT iron core. I think I ended up with 14ga wire...while stock was 16ga.....I've got the spreadsheet here SOMEWHERE.....
Too much is never enough