A look at the cheapest power supply I cold find on eBay; PS-1501S  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: AlessandroAU
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 12:30:29 pm
content: I bought this cheap as chips power supply from ebay and made a little video about it. I thought some people might be interested.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-15V-Voltage-1A-DC-Power-Supply-Test-Variable-Reg-Adjustable-Output-PS1501S-/111466560710?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item19f3ecbcc6

author: kwallen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 02:11:45 pm
content: Thanks for posting that, I've seen those items before and wonder just how much of a deathtrap they are (not as much as I thought, but I still wouldn't go near them).I can't explain the inclusion of those totally baffling "test leads", surely they're from a different product if these onesalsohave a USB connector on the front panel? Seems like a very strange thing to include, especially for such a bottom price product. Even that front panel meter alone is a third of the cost of the whole product if I bought it locally.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 04:13:22 pm
content: Thanks for that review. I've often considered buying one of those for no reason other than cannibalizing the case and maybe some of the other parts for a power supply project of my own. I really wish the Chinese would learn to put power switches in the proper orientation, up - down, not side to side (didn't Mr. Miyagi say that once?).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 05:28:04 pm
content: Not too bad, just needs a better heat sink on the pass device and it will be usable. Wonder how good the built in USB charger is? It looks like it just is a 7805 on it's own.Best improvements would be a heatsink on the pass transistor, a heatsink on the 5V regulator and a multiturn pot for setting output voltage. Those probably would double the cost of the unit.

author: kwallen
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 07:31:36 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on September 22, 2014, 04:13:22 pmI really do miss old electronics having metal cases, there's nothing quite like the feel of a device that feels like it's built to last. Big, chunky steel cases don't feel like they're going to be pulled onto the floor by the weight of their cables. Ridiculously for not that much cheaper you can get the same sort of case this unit uses, presumably most of the cost of the listing is just the shipping and not for the actual production cost at all.http://www.ebay.com/itm/SU473-4-x3-x7-DIY-Electronic-Metal-Project-Box-Transformer-Enclosure-Case-/261523530512

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 08:15:46 pm
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altoids-Empty-tin-metal-box-with-hinged-cover-Great-for-projects-/200823653242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec205c37aWhat?? Ahhhhhh ebay, the seller and the buyers !!!!David.

author: AlessandroAU
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 11:31:05 pm
content: Its always how amazing to me how cheap a lot of these types of units from china are.It seems the front usb socket on my unit is either faulty or not connected. I might investigate it a bit later.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2014, 12:49:44 pm
content: Interesting. In the US, a good alternative is a used working PSU by a reputable maker. Its just a question of being able to gauge its indeed working, and waiting for the low price that wins. Even repairing these old venerable supplies give far better quality than these new Chinese things.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Designs-2015R-DC-Power-Supply-0-20VDC-0-1-5A-LOAD-TESTED-/251597613571?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9462ea03&nma=true&si=rDls0YmlbPPQ35ociUlxx6jsT54%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557