Can I use the 6.3V to drive a USB board

[monteiro.sheldon]

Hello,

Can I use the 6.3V DC output in the Mainline to drive a Raspberry Pi Pico (3.3v and use a regulator) or will I risk damaging the transformer or recitifier circuit?

Thanks,
Sheldon

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The Mainline 6.3V rails are biased up from ground/earth by about 50V, so that could very easily damage your RP or if you had a USB cable plugged into the RP and you touched the metal shell on the other end, you'll get a zap. 

There's also not a ton of extra current available in the heater circuit, so without knowing the current draw it's tough to say if the Mainline would be damaged.

 

[monteiro.sheldon]

Thanks Paul for the quick response.