Power supply for under £100 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: paddyred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2016, 07:37:38 pm
content: Hello, I'm new to the forum but I have been watching Dave's videos for years (no idea why I haven't been here before I must say!). The title pretty much explains itself. I am looking for a basic bench power supply for under £100. I have been looking at the KORAD KA3005D at the moment but I wondered if there was a new model/other brand that people would recommend?Thanks in advance!

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2016, 07:54:41 pm
content: I bought an HY1803D from Rapid a while ago for £59. Not terrible value for money. I bought it just to use as a hot wire cutter supply and it has ended up on the bench.However, you can get a decent TTI/Thurlby PL330/PL320 for 50-80 quid on eBay if you wait a bit - very nice power supplies and easy to service even if quite old. You won't get better for less than £100.

author: Blaffetuur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 07:48:13 am
content: I bought the QJ1502C from amazon.de (http://www.amazon.de/dp/B007X2H5AQ/ref=pe_386171_37038021_TE_3p_dp_1) which was €44 deliverd.For now it does the job for me

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 08:04:22 am
content: I second the eBay TTI/Thurlby. Just don't pay too much for it, I have see some in the last few months go for big money, while a week or later the same model in good condition could go for around 50 - 60. Local collection sales with a low starting price can even be even cheaper.

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 09:05:51 am
content: Another vote for the Thurlby Thandar / TTi and to agree with the previous two posters.They appear on ebay.co.uk quite regularly, ranging from about £50 to £90 so if you're patient you should be able to pick one up at the lower end of that scale.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 09:13:56 am
content: As a note, I paid £24 for my PL330 because it was collection only. Fortunately it ws about 5 minutes drive from home

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:02:10 am
content: What do you want to do with it?If you're going to have only one power supply, I'd say you want at least 5 amps. The PL320/PL330's 2/3 amps are weak sauce. The KA3005D is a decent PSU. The Korad's meters also have one more digit than the Thurlbys, which is extremely handy.Then there's also this. It's a switcher, though. But very handy if you just want to power something and not waste your electricity with a linear supply.http://www.banggood.com/CPS-3205-0-32V-0-5A-Portable-Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-110V220V-p-934530.html

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:11:31 am
content: The Thurlby won't kill you or burn down your house though

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:18:35 am
content: You're exaggerating. There was only a very small number of fatalities and all the problems have been fixed in the current production models.

author: rgawron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:37:17 am
content: I think this one is nice:http://www.tme.eu/gb/details/nsp-3630/one-channel-power-supplies/manson/It's completely silent (no fan) and small. Not a linear one, so voltage noise is probably bigger.I have it and I'm happy with it.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 10:51:04 am
content: Quote from: rgawron on April 11, 2016, 10:37:17 amTwice the price of the Gopher and only 3 amps? Not very good value.Here are some pics of the Gopher's insides:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/franky's-sales-thread/msg461675/#msg461675

author: paddyred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:07:07 pm
content: Thank's for all the replies it helps a lot. I do need the 5A really as I deal mostly with automotive stuff and testing that needs a little more than 2A a lot of the time. What actually caused the electrocution/burning down issue with the one I was looking at? I bought a scottle soldering iron/reflow gun when they had the issue where the metal on the heat gun was accidently wired to 240v mains so a disassembly/inspection has become common place with anything Chinese made! Its always a case of don't turn it on and take it apart!

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:11:55 pm
content: If you're doing anything automotive, a 12v lead acid battery and an appropriate fuse is a pretty good power supply.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:24:52 pm
content: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TTI-Thurlby-Thandar-TS1410-12-14V-10A-Bench-Power-Supply-/141951621468?hash=item210cf9d95c:g:fmkAAOSw9uFW9~69

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:35:40 pm
content: That's just about spot on - good find.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 12:37:20 pm
content: Quote from: mos6502 on April 11, 2016, 10:51:04 amThe joy is not in the more amps. More amps comes with their own downsides BTW.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 01:11:03 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on April 11, 2016, 12:35:40 pmOr the PL154 15V 4Amp version, but there are none for sale (ebay) in the UK at the moment. With the 15V limit it will not blow any up any 12V 'car' device attached to it.

author: paddyred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 05:21:09 pm
content: Thanks for that! I need a power supply with adjustment as I often come accross issues for example where the unit is playing up as the battery voltage drops overnight and causing starting issues in the morning. Having the ability to drop the voltage allows me to find out what voltage causes the unit to shut down

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 07:22:57 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on April 11, 2016, 12:35:40 pmJust be aware that its voltage range is limited from 12 to 14, and it doesn't have current limiting.It's a vastly different beast to the Korad you were considering.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 07:33:45 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on April 11, 2016, 12:11:55 pmYep.Or just a fixed 12V 5A supply, and a box of fuses. It'll bemuchcheaper (...about $15).Attach a$4 LED volt/amp meterto it if you want.Or spend a little bit more and get a 10A supply (it'll last longer) and abetter meter.