BK Precision 1550 bench power supply? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2011, 11:50:54 pm
content: Is the BK Precision 1550 bench power supply a good deal? I know it's a good brand name but sometimes good brands can fail miserably too. What do you think about the digital controls? It is a switching power supply, so is noise a concern?I like it because is small, fits my budget and will fit nicely in my desk. Also it's got a handy USB port for charging stuff.I think the voltage / current will suit my needs.Here's a link to the official site:http://www.bkprecision.com/products/model/1550/switching-dc-bench-power-supply-with-usb-charger-output-1-36v-0-3a.html

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 07, 2011, 12:10:25 am
content: Never seen this model before, so my opinion is based just on their website. Seems a bit gimmicky to me. Wonder if this is their own design or badge engineering. I prefer a mediocre linear supply to a mediocre switcher, linear supplies are harder to screw up.Controls seem clumsy to me, most designs either use analog pots or digital rotary encoders, which are much nicer for adjusting voltage/current. What's the point of digital control if it doesn't support a computer interface or programming? Noise specs are not great, as expected for a cheap switcher. 1-36V seems weird to me, was it so hard to do a proper 0-36V? What if you want to simulate an almost empty AA cell? Some 0.9V logic?Not impressed by the documentation.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2011, 12:17:44 am
content: Quote from: alm on June 07, 2011, 12:10:25 amThat was the kind of feedback I wanted to listen: real, critical feedback. Thanks.Any suggestions? I can't afford anything more than a $150 supply. Free shipping would be great, saves big bucks on those heavy transformers.

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2011, 12:40:35 am
content: How about this supply from Circuit Specialists for $119:http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/18It's probably a relabeled Atten supply of some sort.Scott

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2011, 12:49:29 am
content: Quote from: slburris on June 07, 2011, 12:40:35 amMulti-turn pots... I'm starting to like this.I will take look at the manual.UPDATE: seems to be a little heavy. I hope I don't get nasty surprises with the shipping fees. And by the way, the manual is useless, I can't imagine how the printed one looks like.What I want to do is to get for under $350:*A Hakko FX-888 soldering station*An Extech multimeter, one of those $60 ones with 12 functions and a non-contact voltage probe*If possible the $50 Amprobe meter Dave reviewed on the $50 shootout.*If possible (more priority than the second meter) a bench power supply of at least 2 amps and 20V*A good set of jumper wires (I really need some)

author: Smoking
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2011, 07:48:11 am
content: Hi ivaneduardo747, are you living in the Dominican Republic?I like to help you with your quest. We can send a ATTEN APS3005S 30V 5A and a solder station ATTEN AT938D to the Dominican Republic rigistered TNT post.http://www.atten.eu/ATTEN power supply and the solderstation for €130,- togetter = $190,- USD. The shipping cost will be $90,- USD so a total of $280,- USD. You can always send us a email.http://www.atten.eu/contacts/

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2011, 11:10:27 am
content: Here is another source, I bought one of their supplies and they have a reputation among the RC crowd, see archive eevblog posts.http://www.mastechpowersupply.com/There are two similarly named URL, above is the most recent.http://www.mastechpowersupplies.com/variable-regulated-power-supply3.htmlConsider the above a catalog then email Sean directly and get a direct quote and inventory check if you order, the listing on the website may not be accurate; its a guide to what they have.Since you are having it shipped to DR? I think the final cost, including shipping and taxes, to you would be important on whom you choose.For the name brand Hakko, Extech or Amprobe stuff go to tequipment.net

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2011, 12:04:42 pm
content: Quote from: Smoking on June 08, 2011, 07:48:11 amFor clarification: I use a service in the US that provides me an address in Miami, anything that arrives there with my name on it is then shipped to me at a considerable cost. Usually it is cheaper than having things delivered directly from China. Some sites even ship for free to the US but charge dozens of dollars for having them shipped by mail to the DR. Even worst: the State's postal service is useless here, things get lost and forget about tracking or warrantees. That's why most people use the kind of service I use.@Smoking: I have looked at that supply before. I want the 3A model. It is quite heavy so I will try to ship it from the US. I will try to find a supplier on the US for cheaper shipping costs. As you can see I am almost in the middle of nowhere:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Dominican_Republic_%28orthographic_projection%29.svg/500px-Dominican_Republic_%28orthographic_projection%29.svg.pngCourtesy of Wikipedia

author: Smoking
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2011, 01:00:18 pm
content: Quote from: ivaneduardo747 on June 08, 2011, 12:04:42 pm

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2011, 01:20:13 pm
content: Ah... Sorry for that. It's a shame that they pick tourists for robbering.

author: Joy at MCS
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2011, 12:36:35 am
content: B&K don't specialize in power supplies so although they make good products I personally don't know that I'd buy one of their power supplies.Do you need GPIB or RS232 connectivity? If you don't need any of that then there are plenty of reasonably costs quality alternatives.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2011, 03:49:42 am
content: I just need a basic adjustable power supply with current limiting. I've tried designing my own, but the board layout ended up being too poor. I have a 12V-0V-12V @4A transformer at home, as well as some beefy capacitors so I have some of the most expensive stuff at home. If you know of a DIY power supply that can work well with this transformer, please tell me. If not, just recommend a power supply as light as possible, international shipping is expensive.