Help me spend 400 euros on a PS and a signal generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: avogadro
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2019, 01:00:10 pm
content: Hello,Im currently building a small home lab and I need some test gear to start playing with electronics. Currently I own a Sigilent scope and a crappy DMM. I still have around 400 euros to spend on a power supply and a signal generator.I've been looking at random posts on eevblog for recommendations but since I live in EU its hard to find used gear for cheap so I was looking at buying new ones.So far I found this PShttps://www.batronix.com/shop/power-supplies/SPD3303C.htmland this signal genhttps://www.batronix.com/shop/waveform-generator/Rigol-DG811.htmlI dont know if these are worth the price, also it blows my budget by 120 euros.Can someone recommend something better or someplace in EU where I can get used test gear (and which gear to get) that will fit my budget?Id like that the PS has at least two output channels.Im currently interested in doing a lot of things with electronics. I plan on doing both digital and analog stuff in particular audio amplifiers, power supply design, maybe even some RF circuits (I'd like to build a short range radio receiver and transmitter eventually).

author: uargo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2019, 04:24:01 pm
content: First of all what oscilloscope model do you have? if it is from the sds1000x-e series and you want to do SFRA or BODE PLOT you will need a Siglent AWG, if you have another model or do not want to do bode plot, both Rigol and Siglent are very good, both in very similar prices and quality .I personally have the SDS1104X-E oscilloscope and the AWG SDG1032X and they work very well together and I can do Bode Plot.If I had a Rigol oscilloscope, I would surely have bought a Rigol AWG, for having both devices of the same brand.If you want to save money and do not care so much about the quality you have on Aliexpress and Ebay the new FY6900, 2 channels and 60Mhz for approximately € 100, keep in mind that it does not have the quality and performance of Rigol or Siglent, but for hobby I think that meets well.https://www.ebay.com/itm/FY6900-60M-Multifunzione-Digitale-DDS-Generatore-Di-Segnale-250MSa-S-60MHz-14bit/233325880723?hash=item36534e6593:g:u4YAAOSwoSRdZ36yWith respect to the power supply, the Siglent SPD3303C is the only one with double power supply that comes into your budget than there are in Batronix, but 3A may be little.In Amazon you can find these:https://www.amazon.com/HY3005-F-3-Variable-Lineal-Supply-triple-alimentaci%C3%B3n/dp/B009622HC2/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_en_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5% BD% C3% 95% C3% 91 & keywords = dual + power + supply & qid = 1568564352 & s = electronics & sr = 1-4https://www.amazon.com/tekpower-tp3005d-3-alimentaci%C3%B3n-ajustable-salidas/dp/B00L4KS0QQ/ref=sr_1_12?__mk_en_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3% 95% C3% 91 & keywords = dual + power + supply & qid = 1568564352 & s = electronics & sr = 1-12They do not have the quality of Rigol or Siglent but they are dual and 0-30v 5A

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2019, 08:31:41 pm
content: I think the power supplies listed by uargo are OK if you don't need programmability. One problem I see with these power supplies is that they show 1 digit behind the comma. Digital circuits are all 3.3V or lower today so having at least 2 digits will make the PSU easier to use (not needing a DMM to set the output voltage). If you want to spend a bit more on a PSU then GW Instek has the GPE-2323 which has a digital readout with 1mA/1mV resolution (not accuracy but resolution) so you can get a better idea on what a load is drawing. The GPE-2323 should fit the budget.For a used PSU you could check here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-used-equipment-power-supplies-oscilloscopes-spectrum-analysers-etc/msg2663019/#msg2663019I have bought some equipment from MCS in the past and that went well.I wouldn't buy a used general purpose function generator. The Feeltech FY6900 is much better value for money.

author: uargo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2019, 11:12:35 pm
content: The GPE-2323 only have 3A, same problem...

author: Ordinaryman1971
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2019, 04:10:54 pm
content: Are you set on power supply with multiple outputs... maybe shop around for cheaper one with one output... like Agilent E36XX series.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2019, 06:51:38 pm
content: Quote from: uargo on September 15, 2019, 04:24:01 pmThis is 117 V input only. The other one seems to have a voltage selector in the rear panel