cheap power supply any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 09:53:44 pm
content: Just seen this on eBay is it any good?http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/291031264020

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:04:37 pm
content: Its a fixed d.c supply just checked so ignore previous posts

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:04:47 pm
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on January 28, 2014, 09:58:33 pmNo that appears to be a constant voltage supply just with two output connectors. It is not variable voltage and not a +/- tracking supply. Based on what I guess,

author: phil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:09:36 pm
content: No.It isn't even suited for lead-acid charging as it has no current limit. If you want a general purpose power supply, don't even think about it. If you need a strong 13.8V supply for whatever project you have and don't care about the missing current limit (read: it will blow your circuit up if something fails)... well, go ahead. However, ATX PSUs do the same (and are cheap/free), so no real gain here.In the end it depends on what you want to do with it. But it is certainly not suited for general electronics work.Phil

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:16:03 pm
content: Depends on your requirements. it's for powering devices that don't really care about clean input power, like R/C battery chargers. I use a similar power supply for a drill motor sometimes.For delicate electronic projects it's useless, although it may make finding errors in your circuit quite easy. With 20A output capability it will instantly vaporize components and set your breadboard on fire.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:21:11 pm
content: Nay here too.SorryLook for something with at least a variable voltage, preferably with current limiting too. Otherwise, as phil stated, an ordinary computer power supply off the street will do more.My current bench PSU is an ATX with some nails on FR4 squares to act as alligator-clip posts. Although it's not variable-voltage or current-controlling, it provides we with a variety of voltage tap points and over-current protection. For my purposes, it's fine -- don't pay for something like this ebay item, it's simply not worth it.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 10:53:09 pm
content: QuoteAgreed. Without knowing what you intend to use it for, it is impossible to tell you if it is any good for you.It may be totally fine for me, but sucks for you; Or it is inadequate for me but totally fine for you. No one can tell you unless they know what more about what you intend to use it for.After that, you have to make a judgment on if it offers sufficient value for $. It is possible that it doesn't meet your absolutely requirement, but a compromise here / there is acceptable because of its low prices.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 10:37:06 pm
content: I have just gotten this oneFor a third of the price usedhttp://uk.farnell.com/elc/al991s/psu-bench-programmable/dp/3348295?Ntt=elc+991sNo current control should do the trick I Hope