Valon Technology 5009a Quick Start Guide 2 06/30/2022
5009a Hints and Kinks – Power Supplies
Occasionally, we get a trouble call from a new 5009a user who says that the 5009a will not lock on
frequency after power up. Usually it’s just one of the RF Sources that won’t lock. After doing to some
investigation the problem almost always is caused by the power supply. The power supply is usually
standard lab bench supply.
The power supply is not the problem nor is there anything wrong with the 5009a. The problem is how
the power supply is set up and used. Follow these suggestions to make sure you don’t run into start up
problems:
1.
Current limit set too low. Make sure the current limit is set well above the required 560mA.
Best to set the current limit to 1.0A.
2.
Preset the output voltage to 6.0+V. Don’t set the power to exactly 6.0V. It’s best to set the
power supply a little higher in order to compensate for I*R drop of the power supply cables.
3.
Use the power supply on/off switch to power on the 5009a. Biggest problem with erratic 5009a
performance with lab supplies is the user “dialing up” the voltage slowly from 0V. This will
sometimes confuse the power-on-reset circuitry resulting in an unlocked synthesizer
. Best to
just adjust the output voltage first and then power-cycle the power supply or plug the power
cable into the powered on power supply.
