Bench Top Power Supply

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

I'm getting tired of fumbling with batteries and connectors etc...
Does anyone use a good/great bench top power supply.
I have looked on-line but haven't seen anything that doesn't have an issue of some sort.

Supply multiple voltages - 1.5 - 12 volts
Light to say it on and a switch.
Connectors so I can use different voltages at once. Easy to connect.
Fused - need that for my health.

I don't mind assembling or it comes assembled.

Thanks
Randy

2

What's your budget? I'd actually recommend getting two separate power supplies. You can put them in parallel, in series, just like you would a multiple-output supply, and if one breaks, you don't lose both. You can also get slightly different supplies. Personally, I have a 0V-30V 3A unit and 0V-60V 2A unit. The 60V is nice for higher-voltage motor work, the 3A is nice for.....3A work.

I usually start looking at circuitspecialists.com, mpja.com, and electronixexpress.com for decent quality "off brand" power supplies that are low cost.

--
The Gadget Shield: accelerometer, RGB LED, IR transmit/receive, speaker, microphone, light sensor, potentiometer, pushbuttons

3

I love old surplus Hewlett Packard test equipment and bench supplies. I've scored some nice bargains in the past and it is one way to get a lot of bang for your hobby buck.

Here is one example I just pulled from E-bay listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-6200B-DC-POWER-SUPPLY-/110760512496?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c9d74bf0

Lefty

4

Thanks, I will have a look at your suggestions.
Money is not an issue.
I play with Arduino and electronics as hobby. Sparkfun had one but the comments maybe wonder if it had a problem. Doesn't have a switch either.

Randy

5

Thanks Lefty.
Never considered eBay. Your example looks interesting and the cost is resonable even if I have to throw it away.
I will search further.

Randy

6

I have wanted one for a while too. Mostly I need 5V or 3V depending on the project.
That eBay one looks interesting. Anything we need to know when looking for one?
Any advantage to adjustable voltage output over fixed voltage output?
Pauly

7

Thanks Lefty.
Never considered eBay. Your example looks interesting and the cost is resonable even if I have to throw it away.
I will search further.

Randy

Well that was just the first example I found to give you. HP made many such models, some with dual voltages and in different maximum current capacity. E-bay always has many HP bench supplies offered at almost all times. It helps to be patient and wait for what you actually want or need. The thing about these old HP bench supplies is that they were built for industrial/commercial use and were top of the line design and quality. They were built like battleships. Most cost above $1K or more when new. Manuals with complete schematics and part numbers can still be found on E-bay or some web sites. Of course buying used on E-bay always carries the risk of defective units but some sellers offer returns.

Again it's just one option to look at. However the quality of these HP supplies still shames most of the light weight Asian offerings these days.

Lefty

8

RandyMan:
Money is not an issue.

Oh, well then maybe a Keithley 230? :smiley:

9

I will continue to watch ebay but I was looking at this one 0-30VDC 0-5A / 5VDC 1A, Dual Output Bench Power Supply — Circuit Specialists which is ~$130.00.
So many to choose but I think 0 -30 volts, 5 amps would be the minimum.

10

Okay, being serious now, I don't know anything about this brand, but I found Mastech, who have a large selection in that price range.

11

Ditto on the Mastech!

I got the HY1803DL version for like under $60 bucks!

HY1803D is a brand new, professional DC regulated power supply from Mastech, a highly stable, high quality linear power supply with its output continuously adjustable at 0-18V DC and 0-3A. The unit comes with 2 LCD displays, providing accurate readout for the voltage and current values. Please email me with any questions!

Features & Specifications:

Adjustable outputs: 0-18V and 0-3A

Variable controls for both current and voltage outputs

Input voltage: 110V/60Hz and 220V/50Hz Switchable

Line regulation: CV <= 0.01% + 1 mV, CC <= 0.2% + 1 mA

Load Regulation: CV <= 0.01% + 3mV, CC <= 0.2% + 3 mA

Ripple noise: CV <= 0.5 mV RMS, CC <= 3 mA RMS

Protection: constant current and short-circuit protection

LCD reading accuracy: +/-1% for voltage and +/-2% for current

Environment: 0-40C, relative humidity < 90%

Size: 9" x 6.8" x 3.7"

Weight: 10 lbs

IMHO its one of the best investments for my hobby work that I could have purchased!