Is it about time we had a bench PSU sticky and list in test equipment? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 10:35:43 am
content: I'm looking for a new bench power supply and/or looking at building one. I might actually do both because there are certain things I want. I found the scope and DMM tables very useful and informative so looked in test equipment but no comparison table.What do people think? It's probably a job for someone who actually has access to a few. I've not seen many different ones and most of the ones I have seen are no longer sold!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 10:50:17 am
content: Quote from: cowasaki on June 19, 2018, 10:35:43 amWhat might those things be ?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 11:06:07 am
content: Not the list though, but collections of various models owned by fellows here ...->Show your favorite and most used benchtop PSU

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 08:10:42 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 19, 2018, 10:50:17 amBasically a normal bench power supply as most people do but I’m planning a 16 or 32 channel digital io device where I can output a predetermined stream of data or change the lines manually whilst getting a visual output. Where I can adjust the voltage and feed each pair of 16 but outputs into a DAC. I was going to build something myself including the above but realistically I’ll get a normal bench supply then build the additional box as a separate stand alone device.So basically I’m after a decent bench supply. Dual voltage plus probably a fixed 5v if possible. Probably 2-3 amps current limiting with a nice display and maybe a few other features. I have a single channel plus 5v and a second home made non limiting one at the moment.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 09:13:06 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on June 19, 2018, 08:10:42 pmHmmmSPD3303X or X-E might fit well for your needs.https://www.siglenteu.com/power-supplies/spd3303x-spd3303x-e-series-programmable-dc-power-supply/

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 09:21:39 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 19, 2018, 09:13:06 pmYes. Absolutely the SPD3303X does look like its right up my street :-) I’m sure I saw this model when I bought my Keighley DMM.£526........ You’ve just got to love VAT!

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 09:24:42 pm
content: £507..... still looking£500.40........ from RS of all people.Still looking

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2018, 09:39:51 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on June 19, 2018, 09:24:42 pmRebranded as RS Pro ?RS sell a few Siglent models as their own.Few examples of such in this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/remember-when-siglents-logo-wasnt-ugly/msg1577215/#msg1577215Don't know if Siglent's older PSU could be of interest and it's a good bit cheaper.https://www.siglenteu.com/power-supplies/spd3303c-series-programmable-dc-power-supply/

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2018, 12:18:35 am
content: Quote from: tautech on June 19, 2018, 09:39:51 pmNo it's still Siglent branded. They have an RS branded model with certification but that is a lot more expensive. Seriously going to look at this one tomorrow. It ticks all the boxes for me. Dave had done some videos so I'm going to check them out and read a few reviews. It's the absolute top of my budget but I have all the other equipment I need at the moment and most of the stuff to build my project so I think it's going to be a goer.....Thanks.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2018, 12:46:19 am
content: They're now a good bit different from when first released, HW, SW and GUI changes so any videos or threads you find about these just make sure they are recent and not years old.There's a few threads you can easily find with Search and of course Dave's teardown for a look at where they've evolved from to the much better product we have today.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-828-siglent-spd3303x-precision-lab-psu-teardown/

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2018, 07:48:43 am
content: Are the binding posts still at daft distances apart?

author: apblog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 07:11:31 am
content: Deleted because I have no desire to argue with people on the internet.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 07:44:48 am
content: Quote from: apblog on June 22, 2018, 07:11:31 amWhat really bad bugs ?

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 07:59:49 am
content: Having read up about the siglent. It had a few minor hardware issues which were sorted. Nobody else reporting fatal issues unless you got a rouge one.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 11:22:08 am
content: My bench PSU doesn't need to be sticky, it's heavy enough to stay put as it is.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 04:36:46 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on June 22, 2018, 11:22:08 amBut is it in a list?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 09:27:01 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 22, 2018, 07:44:48 amQuote from: apblog on June 22, 2018, 07:11:31 amIt's really disappointing you won't share that experience with us.Were they really bugs or a UI that you couldn't get your head around ?I'm not looking for any argument, only the facts.I've looked back though the firmware updates for SPD3303X and X-E and if you received a very old stock unit there is some possibility it didn't operate as the new one do now. Did you look at which FW version was installed or attempt to update the firmware ?Be aware that many dealers just ship product out the door totally untouched since the factory and rely on buyers to install any FW updates. The logistics for big dealers to provide buyers with the best product experience is truly demanding so many don't do it and this may have been your experience.Please tell us more.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2018, 11:42:44 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on June 19, 2018, 08:10:42 pmI ended up with a Keysight E36313A. It ticks all your boxes. Unfortunately the early ones have a startup issue but the ones you buy now should be fixed. Keysight is fixing the older ones for free so they are taking care of their customers (they send someone to pick it up).

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2018, 07:24:04 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on June 22, 2018, 11:42:44 pm