Power supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: haggy38
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2012, 08:31:59 pm
content: Hi guys,I would like to hear opinions from you regarding this power supply which i´m interested:Tektronix PWS218590-192 W PowerWide voltage/current rangesPrecise 10 mV / 10 mA resolutionLow noise, linear regulationDual-function display shows voltage & current meter readouts or limitsProtection and lockout functions help prevent circuit damageLarge, bright readoutsDirect-entry keypad16 setup memory locations3 Year Warranty

author: nicknails
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2012, 11:46:08 pm
content: What are you using it for? It only goes up to 18V, so that would be a deal breaker for me. Depending on what you need it for, I would favour the 2323 and the 2326. Tek makes nice stuff and you shouldn't have a problem with it.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 01:07:29 am
content: I think 18V is pretty decent for a lot of stuff today. There's not too many projects I run into that need much more than 15V. Just my opinion. If you do plan on doing some higher power stuff like audio amps or something, then a higher voltage might be helpful, but I don't think there are all that many things that will need more than 15-20. IMOAlso, that's a new Tek supply right? You wrote this in beginners, so I am assuming you are a...beginner?If you haven't done much with electronics, you might not want to dump your whole life savings into a power supply, although they are important. There are some cheaper supplies from reputable manufacturers. You can also get some good used/old supplies off eBay like HPs or Power Designs for cheaper. Some fixing might be required, but usually older stuff is easy to service.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 03:14:19 am
content: Worst case, you can put a second supply (even an LM317 DIY supply) in series to get more voltage.

author: haggy38
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 04:24:35 am
content: Hi guys,Im a beginner but I want to buy a good brand reputation, I bought already:1. Rigol oscilloscope 1102e2. Agilent multimeter 1272A3. HP bench multimeter 3468A4. GW instek function generator SFG-21005. Tons of electronic components.6. Olympus stereo microscopeetcIm just interested in projects less than 15V in the board.Regards,GUstavoPS: Any suggestion are welcome:)

author: JuiceKing
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 11:08:28 am
content: I don't have experience with that supply, but I would be concerned that with so much power that it would have a noisy fan. I'm very happy with my used HP E3610A (the one that Dave reviewed in his blog). Good DC, nice controls, silent. It's only 30W but that's been plenty in practice. They are very expensive new but can be found on eBay. The most common problem is that the plastic binding posts are damaged. You can order replacements from Agilent, and fix them yourself (I did), but they're not exactly cheap and it's a hassle, so ones with nice-looking binding posts do go for a premium. Check the price of completed listings so that you don't pay too much.

author: ju1ce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 11:24:35 am
content: Quote from: haggy38 on July 20, 2012, 04:24:35 amI've got a TTi supply and I can definitely recommend them. They are made in England and their prices start at ~200 euros at Farnell. Maybe something like EL302R or EL155R would do.I paid something like 400 euros for mine (EL302RT), but even as a student I think it was worth every cent because of its reliability.http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/333466.pdf

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 03:37:30 pm
content: Quote from: haggy38 on July 20, 2012, 04:24:35 amSure, sure, any suggestions welcome ...Ok, here comes mine. Stop buying stuff, unless your hobby is collecting stuff. Start doing more projects.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 04:49:30 pm
content: Seeing that you bought all of that other stuff, I guess buying a power supply wouldn't make much a difference now...BUT...once you've got that, try to sit down and actually make something. I'm not sure if you have, but that is truly the rewarding part, even if it's something small with a 555 or 2n2222. You don't have to get a Tek power supply. I'm sure they're good, but something cheaper will you do you fine.

author: haggy38
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 07:21:57 pm
content: Thanks guys,I already done a cool small projects and still learning electronics, don get me wrong Bore@work, I'm 44 and I can buy anything I want and is not your problem if this stuff is just for collecting, it's not nice your comment!Thanks again to all for your kind post.Gustavo

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 08:01:06 pm
content: Quote from: haggy38 on July 20, 2012, 07:21:57 pmSee, I know when a question stinks, and yours had that smell. Thanks for proving me right. First you claim that "any suggestions are welcome", then you act like a baby if you get a suggestion you don't like.

author: haggy38
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 08:23:58 pm
content: So I would say, thanks for your suggestion.Gustavo