In need for a power supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: void
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 01:53:06 pm
content: I am searching for a good power supply. I would like to do some experimenting with it and some microcontroller programming.Driving some AVRs and other smaller equipment for testing.Now I have already read some posts but I am still not quite sure what to get. So far I noticed than many like the Rigol DP832 while it is quite expensive for a "first supply" I would be willing to pay the 300 euro. Or is there something smaller better suited for my needs I should be getting?As I am totally new I don't know the good brands or anything, what would be worth looking out for on ebay.What I think I need/want is at least 2-3 power outputs.Can someone help me? :-)

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 02:09:37 pm
content: Welcome to the forum. filling in you country in you personal profile will help members give location relevant feedback on questions like this.

author: void
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 02:26:13 pm
content: Ah yes. I thought thats already showing cause it asked upon registration. Thanks.And thanks for the welcome, yes I am new. :-)I am following dave now for quite some time and I already did some AVR programming also played with the raspebrry pi etc.And I think it is time now to get a "proper" power supply. :-)

author: cellularmitosis
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:13:51 pm
content: Can't go wrong with a classic used bit of HP gear. Any of the E36xx series would make a great first supply.http://datasheet.octopart.com/E3620A-Agilent-datasheet-534056.pdfThe trick is finding a good price for one on ebay. I recently picked up such a supply for $125, which I think was about fair.Use that PDF to look up the individual model numbers (for example, E3611a) and search ebay.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:38:14 pm
content: I agree on the e3620, I have one myself. works wonderfully. however, if you find that you need more channels, you can always add some linear regulators to give you more channels but they'll be tied to the same isolated e3620 channel.not sure about the market in germany, but you could also look for hp 6114 and 6115, but these are both single channel and don't all have the 3-digit graduated decadial. (the black knob with the extra digits). There's also their little brothers, the 6104 and 6105. obviously as they are the same family, their performance is slightly worse. (though probably significantly better than you'd need)and actually, if you need a crapload (think 20+) of channels and don't mind them all being identically referenced, use an ATX PSU with circuit breakers (I love my overkill, since they'll often have interrupting capacity >100A) and linear or switching regs.

author: void
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 05:59:34 pm
content: Ok thank. I was just checking ebay right away and interesting enough I found a Agilent HP E3630A for 260 Euro incl. VAT and shipping.Is that a good price?The DS 832 costs 100 euro more incl VAT and shipping.So not sure about the bargain. As the Agilent is used etc. but from a dealer.

author: schwarz-brot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 06:39:29 pm
content: That much for a power supply that has nothing to do but deliver some not so important voltages for digital stuff? What kind of accuracy do you really need to get started?Of course there is NOTHING wrong with those nice lab grade PSUs if you have the money.If you don't have the money think about what you really need. Is it exactly 2.530 V or would about 2.5 be enough? Why not get a shitty no name one for next to nothing then. Got just yesterday a linear single channel one for 25 bucks delivered 0-30V / 0-3A. Protection Diode was killed and shorted, therefore did not work - got back 10 bucks from the sellerBig overshoot on startup but current limited - good enough for everything I do.Right now I am pretty short on money, did buy too much fun stuff. Else I had bought this thing right now:http://www.ebay.de/itm/370992839306?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Of course it is far from modern but may be a cheap trick to get away with anything you need. Of course no garanties if it works, but looks like professional stuff to me. Specs are of course unknown, google yourself if you are interested.

author: cellularmitosis
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 06:55:18 pm
content: And while the HP units are a good "just works" solution, I must also say I have been pleasantly surprised with my $50 CSI1802X supply. If you are looking for a supply to hack (e.g. Add a micro and make it programmable), it's a great base to start from.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/picked-up-a-csi1802x-bench-supply-($50-0-18v-0-2a)/

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 07:11:41 pm
content: Quote from: void on February 07, 2014, 05:59:34 pmThat's a lot of money for little features. It doesn't have adjustable current limits, the output are not isolated from each other, and so on. It's very basic but high quality. If you can live with these limitations and analog meters, there is currently the older brother HP 6236B on Ebay Germany. 80€ would be a good price, I wouldn't pay more than 100 - 120€.I recommend reading the manuals before buying (used) test gear. You can check if they fulfill your requirements and get a first impression of the unit. For used gear the availability of a service manual and/or schematics is worthwhile. In the case it's needed to be repaired someday.Edit:Stay away from Voltcraft power supplies. I have a VLP2403 which is a piece of shit. I had do several modifications to make it usable. Other Voltcraft series have also bad reputation.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 07:21:00 pm
content: This one may be all you need: (It has a current limiting feature)http://www.ebay.de/itm/HP-Agilent-E3610A-Labornetzgerat-0-8V-0-3A-0-15V-0-2A-/151220409369?pt=Mess_Pr%C3%BCftechnik&hash=item2335705419

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 07:30:46 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on February 07, 2014, 07:21:00 pmOnly single channel and too expensive. I paid 160€ for mine on Ebay and that wasn't a good price. I wouldn't pay more than 150€ for a used E3610A. The last ones on Ebay Germany sold for 77€ (bargain) and 127€.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 08:13:23 pm
content: If you're just starting out, and you're just powering some micros, do youneeda lab grade power supply? A recycled 5 volt cell phone wall wart may go along way towards getting you started.At some point, you may actually need a bipolar supply, or a higher voltage adjustable supply, but by that time, you'll know what features you really need.

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 08:16:01 pm
content: What's with a Manson NSP 3630 ~ 85Euro 1-36V 3A togetherwith a NSP 2050 ~ 100Euro 1-20V 5A for the 2nd Channel?Sure no high end stuff, but as a first power supply for microcontrollerprojects, not bad.

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 08:25:33 pm
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on February 07, 2014, 08:13:23 pmYou did not need a <lab grade> power supply, that's for sure.But I think something that provides a control and adjustablelimit for the current (cc mode) is a good thing to have,even more for a beginner.

author: void
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 01:26:57 pm
content: I am already powering my controllers, so far, with a cheap power supply which is kinda crap. You can switch between different Voltate/Amp levels e.g. 12V/380mA, 6V/260mA etc.It brought me this far but as I recently upgraded to a fluke multimeter I thought its time to upgrade the power supply as well, to something reasonable good.Normally I rather buy some quality stuff rather then buying some cheapy just so I can buy a better one in a year or two.So I'm not searching for something top notch but something good which will bring me further, so far I haven found anything.And as Frost mentioned, yes I want some adjustable current limiting. Might safe me some componentsOh, and I can buy, when new, the power supply without VAT. That why I said I can get the DP832 for 300. But the dp832 has a in my oppinion quite loud fan. Which I don't like when I'm working on the desk.And I used the Dp832 as a reference as I was reading a lot on it lately if there is a good and reasonable power supply even cheaper why not.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 02:11:00 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on February 07, 2014, 07:21:00 pmI scored an E3610A for $100 USD including shipping.I like the power supply and the current limiting. If you're going to shop eBay, patience is your friend. Don't be in a rush and you can find deals. If you're not comfortable designing/building your own, there is the Elenco XP720K kit. +/- 0-15V, fixed 5V and AC. I paid $53 USD off of eBay and about another $40 modifying it with 1HungLo 10 turn pots, protection diodes, bleeder resistors and a digital panel meter. It was a fun build and the 10 turn pots make it easy to get precise outputs.

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2014, 02:30:45 pm
content: Quote from: void on February 08, 2014, 01:26:57 pmThe problem, 300 Euro for a 3 channel DP832 are extreamly good value for money.You won't find something similar from the well known european companies.A Gossen Metrawatt 32K36R3 or 32K18R5 1 channel 36V/3A or 18V5Ais around 440 Euro + VAT and the Anschaffungswiederstand for my favoritea HAMEG HMP2030 3x32V/3x10A -> 1240 Euro + VATHerehttp://www.instrumex.deyou can find some used HAMEG PSUsA HM7042-3 2x32V/2A and 2,7-5,5 V/5A for 323 Euroor a HM7042-4 2x32V/2A and 0 - 5,5V/5A for 375 EuroHerehttp://www.sky-messtechnik.de/html/demo_gerate.htmaresome HAMEG HMP2020 and HMP2030 demo devices,up to 40% below the original price, they claim.