High current lab PSU, Atten KPS900? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2013, 11:04:13 am
content: I need a beefy power supply. For the particular application I have in mind about 20A at 20V is enough, but a larger range wouldn't hurt.Precision and low noise isn't a huge concern, but I would like something that isn't likely to go up in smoke or electrocute me at any moment...I found the Atten KPS900:http://www.atten.eu/power-supply/atten-kps900-switching-power-supply.htmlIt is larger and heavier than the real bottom of the range 30V 30A supplies you can get on ebay, which is hopefully a signof the build quality. It is also flexible with three ranges all providing 900W at different maximum voltages...Does anyone know any more about this thing, or any alternatives out there?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2013, 11:27:08 am
content: Don't know of any suggestions off-hand, but I would note that a 30A switching power supply with variable output voltage and current is much easier to screw up than a basic 3A linear power supply. And many of these companies (including Rigol) seem to even have trouble getting that one right. So I would have a strong preference for something proven like TTI, Kepco, Lambda, etc. You might be able to get a decent deal on a used one if you don't mind a boat anchor.One thing that can be fun is driving RF into the outputs of a power supply (quite common if you're powering RF gear). It makes some power supplies suddenly decide to deliver a much higher output voltage. Surviving shorts and other misbehaving circuits is also sometimes an issue.Complaints I've heard about a very similar looking (but not Atten brandend, probably from the same OEM) power supply: current limit won't go below 1A, voltage takes a long time to stabilize after power on, and if you set the voltage to 15V and then switch the range from 15V to 60V, the voltage will jump up to 60V. I've seen conflicting reports about how short circuit proof that supply is: one person reported magic smoke after shorting it for a while, but others didn't have that problem. My impression is that it's not terrible for its price, but not something that I would want in my lab.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2013, 04:28:49 am
content: Quote from: cyr on September 15, 2013, 11:04:13 amSorry, I went to Ebay UK and only noticed after posting that it was a US auction and a 115V unit.None in the UK.HP 6264B 20A 20V £182.7821.3kglinear CC CV and voltage crowbarhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-6264B-10-40-Power-Supply-0-20V-0-20A-/261159515188?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cce51f434http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/redirector.jspx?action=ref&cname=AGILENT_EDITORIAL&ckey=811717&lc=eng&cc=CA&nfr=-536900193.536898495.00

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2013, 04:49:16 am
content: Since you mentioned precision and low noise isn't a huge concern, a whopping 1500 watt TDK-Lambda switcher ->http://www.ebay.com/itm/390658895412Rated at 24VDC, 65A (100-180VAC) or 70A(180-240VAC), adjustable from 4.8 to 28.8VDC.Looks like NIB condition to me.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2013, 04:52:02 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on September 16, 2013, 04:49:16 amhe quoted from atten eu, so I suspect he's in Europewhy members won't update their country flag I'll never know, it would save lots of wasted postsshipping to the UK for that Lambda (probably ball park for EU) US $84.20