WFC RF VLF Fully Automatic Tuner Build
I am starting this thread to build the WFC Fully Automatic Tuner.
This guide will help you understand and build a fully automatic tuner for a Water Fuel Cell (WFC) system.
The tuner is a PCB board placed:
Purpose:
The tuner measures the circuit's power reflection and automatically adjusts to minimize it, achieving resonance or near-zero power reflection for an LC-matched tank circuit. Given the WFC's impedance can vary (e.g., around 10 ohms as bubbles form), the tuner ensures efficient power transfer by adapting to these changes.
Since we're in 2025, we can leverage modern components and microcontrollers to create a fully automatic solution—no more manual tuning with swiper chokes!
Purpose and Placement of the Tuner
Purpose:
The fully automatic tuner ensures that the power from the transmitter (or power source) is efficiently delivered to the WFC by matching the impedance. It continuously monitors and adjusts to minimize power reflection, keeping the circuit in resonance at 5 kHz despite changes in the WFC's impedance (e.g., due to bubble formation).
Placement:
After the transistor or switch
After any transformer or choke
Before the blocking diode and WFC
Components of the Fully Automatic Tuner
A fully automatic tuner requires several key components that work together to adjust the circuit without manual intervention. Here's what they are and what they do:
Inductors (L):
These are coils of wire that store energy in a magnetic field.
They add "inductive reactance" to balance the circuit.
For your setup: You'll need large inductors (e.g., 100µH to 10mH) rated for 10A and 1200V.
Example: Bourns 1140-102K-RC (1mH, 10A).
Capacitors (C):
These store energy in an electric field.
They add "capacitive reactance" to balance the circuit.
For your setup: You'll need high-voltage capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF to 10µF) rated for 1200V.
Example: Vishay MKP1848C series.
Relays or Switches:
These act as high-power switches to connect or disconnect inductors and capacitors.
Controlled by the microcontroller to test different configurations.
For setup: You'll need relays rated for 10A and 1200V.
Example: Omron G7L-2A-TUB (25A at 250V AC; verify DC ratings) or solid-state relays like Crydom D1D40 (40A, 100V DC; use multiple in series for 1200V).
Microcontroller:
The "brain" of the tuner.
It measures the mismatch and controls the relays to adjust the circuit.
For your setup: Use a microcontroller like an Arduino Uno or STM32, with custom programming.
Measurement System:
Instead of a traditional SWR bridge (which is for radio frequencies), you'll need a system to measure impedance or reflections at 5 kHz.
For your setup: Use voltage and current sensors to calculate impedance.
Example: ACS758LCB-100B-PFF-T (100A Hall effect sensor) for current, and a voltage divider (e.g., 1MΩ and 1kΩ resistors) with an op-amp buffer (e.g., OP07) for voltage.
How the Fully Automatic Tuner Works
Here's how the tuner operates in four key steps:
Step 1: Measuring the Mismatch
The power source sends a small test signal.
Voltage and current sensors measure how well the power is being transferred to the WFC.
The microcontroller calculates the mismatch (similar to SWR but adapted for low frequencies).
Step 2: Adjusting the Circuit Automatically
The tuner has inductors and capacitors that can be switched in or out via relays.
The microcontroller activates different combinations to change the impedance until it matches the power source.
Step 3: Fine-Tuning
After finding a rough match, the microcontroller makes small adjustments to optimize the match.
It continuously monitors and adjusts to maintain resonance as conditions change (e.g., bubble formation).
Step 4: Saving the Settings (Optional)
Some tuners save settings for future use, but this may not be necessary if the WFC's load is consistent.
Building the Fully Automatic Tuner
Here's how to build the tuner step by step:
Step 1: Design the Impedance Matching Network
Use a switched L-network with multiple inductors and capacitors that can be selected automatically.
Inductors: 5 inductors (e.g., 100µH, 200µH, 400µH, 800µH, 1.6mH), each rated for 10A.
Example: Bourns 1140-102K-RC (1mH, 10A).
Capacitors: 5 capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF, 0.2µF, 0.4µF, 0.8µF, 1.6µF), each rated for 1200V.
Example: Vishay MKP1848C series.
Step 2: Select High-Power Relays
Use relays that can handle 1200V and 10A.
Mechanical Relays: Omron G7L-2A-TUB (25A at 250V AC; verify DC ratings).
Solid-State Relays: Crydom D1D40 (40A, 100V DC; use multiple in series for 1200V).
Step 3: Implement the Measurement System
Use sensors to measure voltage and current.
Current Sensor: ACS758LCB-100B-PFF-T (100A Hall effect sensor).
Voltage Sensor: A voltage divider (e.g., 1MΩ and 1kΩ resistors) with an op-amp buffer (e.g., OP07).
Step 4: Use a Microcontroller for Automatic Control
The microcontroller reads sensor data, calculates the mismatch, and adjusts the relays.
Microcontroller: Arduino Uno or STM32 board.
Software: Write a custom program to implement a tuning algorithm (e.g., simple search or gradient descent).
Step 5: Integrate and Test
Connect the microcontroller to the relays via driver circuits (e.g., ULN2803).
Test the system at low power first, then scale up to full voltage and current.
Challenges and Considerations
Component Sizing:
Inductors and capacitors must be large to handle 5 kHz and high power. A 1mH inductor for 10A may be several inches in diameter.
Relay Selection:
Finding relays for 1200V DC at 10A is difficult. You may need multiple relays in series or solid-state solutions.
Microcontroller Programming:
Writing the tuning algorithm requires programming knowledge. Basic examples are available online, but customization is needed.
Safety:
High voltage (1200V) and current (10A) are dangerous. Ensure proper insulation, grounding, and safety measures.
Why This is an Advanced Project
Custom Design Needed:
No off-the-shelf tuner exists for 5 kHz with your power levels, so a custom solution is required.
Expertise Required:
This project involves high-power electronics, microcontroller programming, and impedance matching theory.
Time and Cost:
Gathering parts and testing will take time. High-power components can be expensive.
Summary and Advice
How the Tuner Works:
It automatically adjusts inductors and capacitors using relays, guided by a microcontroller and sensors, to match impedance and minimize reflections.
For Your Specs:
You need large inductors (100µH–10mH), high-voltage capacitors (0.1µF–10µF, 1200V), high-power relays, and a custom measurement system for 5 kHz.
Parts Suggestions:
Use components like Bourns inductors, Vishay capacitors, Omron relays, and an Arduino for control.
Advice:
This is an advanced project. Start with small steps, test at low power,
LINKS to get you started
https://de.aliexpress.com/i/1005003385068518.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
https://buypin.cashperson.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1993361
https://de.aliexpress.com/i/1005003385068518.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
PS THIS WAS SAVED BY DAN SECURE SUPPLIES IN 2004
and preserved shared public since than 11 years latter people finally put tit to use and now we see it accelerating
so it seams open source and saving things does take time but has huge effect
I am starting this thread to build the WFC Fully Automatic Tuner.
This guide will help you understand and build a fully automatic tuner for a Water Fuel Cell (WFC) system.
The tuner is a PCB board placed:
- After the transistor or switch
After any transformer or choke
Before the blocking diode and the WFC
Purpose:
The tuner measures the circuit's power reflection and automatically adjusts to minimize it, achieving resonance or near-zero power reflection for an LC-matched tank circuit. Given the WFC's impedance can vary (e.g., around 10 ohms as bubbles form), the tuner ensures efficient power transfer by adapting to these changes.
Since we're in 2025, we can leverage modern components and microcontrollers to create a fully automatic solution—no more manual tuning with swiper chokes!
Purpose and Placement of the Tuner
Purpose:
The fully automatic tuner ensures that the power from the transmitter (or power source) is efficiently delivered to the WFC by matching the impedance. It continuously monitors and adjusts to minimize power reflection, keeping the circuit in resonance at 5 kHz despite changes in the WFC's impedance (e.g., due to bubble formation).
Placement:
After the transistor or switch
After any transformer or choke
Before the blocking diode and WFC
Components of the Fully Automatic Tuner
A fully automatic tuner requires several key components that work together to adjust the circuit without manual intervention. Here's what they are and what they do:
Inductors (L):
These are coils of wire that store energy in a magnetic field.
They add "inductive reactance" to balance the circuit.
For your setup: You'll need large inductors (e.g., 100µH to 10mH) rated for 10A and 1200V.
Example: Bourns 1140-102K-RC (1mH, 10A).
Capacitors (C):
These store energy in an electric field.
They add "capacitive reactance" to balance the circuit.
For your setup: You'll need high-voltage capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF to 10µF) rated for 1200V.
Example: Vishay MKP1848C series.
Relays or Switches:
These act as high-power switches to connect or disconnect inductors and capacitors.
Controlled by the microcontroller to test different configurations.
For setup: You'll need relays rated for 10A and 1200V.
Example: Omron G7L-2A-TUB (25A at 250V AC; verify DC ratings) or solid-state relays like Crydom D1D40 (40A, 100V DC; use multiple in series for 1200V).
Microcontroller:
The "brain" of the tuner.
It measures the mismatch and controls the relays to adjust the circuit.
For your setup: Use a microcontroller like an Arduino Uno or STM32, with custom programming.
Measurement System:
Instead of a traditional SWR bridge (which is for radio frequencies), you'll need a system to measure impedance or reflections at 5 kHz.
For your setup: Use voltage and current sensors to calculate impedance.
Example: ACS758LCB-100B-PFF-T (100A Hall effect sensor) for current, and a voltage divider (e.g., 1MΩ and 1kΩ resistors) with an op-amp buffer (e.g., OP07) for voltage.
How the Fully Automatic Tuner Works
Here's how the tuner operates in four key steps:
Step 1: Measuring the Mismatch
The power source sends a small test signal.
Voltage and current sensors measure how well the power is being transferred to the WFC.
The microcontroller calculates the mismatch (similar to SWR but adapted for low frequencies).
Step 2: Adjusting the Circuit Automatically
The tuner has inductors and capacitors that can be switched in or out via relays.
The microcontroller activates different combinations to change the impedance until it matches the power source.
Step 3: Fine-Tuning
After finding a rough match, the microcontroller makes small adjustments to optimize the match.
It continuously monitors and adjusts to maintain resonance as conditions change (e.g., bubble formation).
Step 4: Saving the Settings (Optional)
Some tuners save settings for future use, but this may not be necessary if the WFC's load is consistent.
Building the Fully Automatic Tuner
Here's how to build the tuner step by step:
Step 1: Design the Impedance Matching Network
Use a switched L-network with multiple inductors and capacitors that can be selected automatically.
Inductors: 5 inductors (e.g., 100µH, 200µH, 400µH, 800µH, 1.6mH), each rated for 10A.
Example: Bourns 1140-102K-RC (1mH, 10A).
Capacitors: 5 capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF, 0.2µF, 0.4µF, 0.8µF, 1.6µF), each rated for 1200V.
Example: Vishay MKP1848C series.
Step 2: Select High-Power Relays
Use relays that can handle 1200V and 10A.
Mechanical Relays: Omron G7L-2A-TUB (25A at 250V AC; verify DC ratings).
Solid-State Relays: Crydom D1D40 (40A, 100V DC; use multiple in series for 1200V).
Step 3: Implement the Measurement System
Use sensors to measure voltage and current.
Current Sensor: ACS758LCB-100B-PFF-T (100A Hall effect sensor).
Voltage Sensor: A voltage divider (e.g., 1MΩ and 1kΩ resistors) with an op-amp buffer (e.g., OP07).
Step 4: Use a Microcontroller for Automatic Control
The microcontroller reads sensor data, calculates the mismatch, and adjusts the relays.
Microcontroller: Arduino Uno or STM32 board.
Software: Write a custom program to implement a tuning algorithm (e.g., simple search or gradient descent).
Step 5: Integrate and Test
Connect the microcontroller to the relays via driver circuits (e.g., ULN2803).
Test the system at low power first, then scale up to full voltage and current.
Challenges and Considerations
Component Sizing:
Inductors and capacitors must be large to handle 5 kHz and high power. A 1mH inductor for 10A may be several inches in diameter.
Relay Selection:
Finding relays for 1200V DC at 10A is difficult. You may need multiple relays in series or solid-state solutions.
Microcontroller Programming:
Writing the tuning algorithm requires programming knowledge. Basic examples are available online, but customization is needed.
Safety:
High voltage (1200V) and current (10A) are dangerous. Ensure proper insulation, grounding, and safety measures.
Why This is an Advanced Project
Custom Design Needed:
No off-the-shelf tuner exists for 5 kHz with your power levels, so a custom solution is required.
Expertise Required:
This project involves high-power electronics, microcontroller programming, and impedance matching theory.
Time and Cost:
Gathering parts and testing will take time. High-power components can be expensive.
Summary and Advice
How the Tuner Works:
It automatically adjusts inductors and capacitors using relays, guided by a microcontroller and sensors, to match impedance and minimize reflections.
For Your Specs:
You need large inductors (100µH–10mH), high-voltage capacitors (0.1µF–10µF, 1200V), high-power relays, and a custom measurement system for 5 kHz.
Parts Suggestions:
Use components like Bourns inductors, Vishay capacitors, Omron relays, and an Arduino for control.
Advice:
This is an advanced project. Start with small steps, test at low power,
LINKS to get you started
https://de.aliexpress.com/i/1005003385068518.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
https://buypin.cashperson.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1993361
https://de.aliexpress.com/i/1005003385068518.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
PS THIS WAS SAVED BY DAN SECURE SUPPLIES IN 2004
and preserved shared public since than 11 years latter people finally put tit to use and now we see it accelerating
so it seams open source and saving things does take time but has huge effect