Advice on choosing a powersupply in the UK for ~£100 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: chris9000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 12:24:17 am
content: Hi,First of all if you think this question has already been answered please delete, I have been searchingthrough a number of posts which gave me a number of PSUs to look at, but would appreciate a little advice.I've mainly been looking at this PSU:PL310QMD -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thurlby-TTI-PL310QMD-Variable-bench-power-supply-twin-channel-32V-1A-quad-mode/113431537365- I believe I can use it to generate say -2.5V and 7.5V (I'm looking at powering an ADC board to begin with)I was also searching ebay for HP PSUs but couldn't really seem to find anything in my price range.Cheers!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 12:39:07 am
content: That one doesn't seem bad. I'd probably replace the seperate fine/coarse potmeters with a single 10-turn potmeter to adjust the voltage. Maybe you can ask the seller if he is willing to drop the price a little. He seems to have plenty for sale.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 12:44:29 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 30, 2018, 12:39:07 amFWIW with 2 pots you can make adjustment much faster. It's a pain when you need to turn pots many times to set different voltage. And still difficult to set voltage as fine as with 2 pots.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 12:55:13 am
content: Looks like a decent unit, a bit bulky but if that's not a problem for you it seems like a reasonable deal.I also prefer separate fine/course pots, having used both arrangements on PSUs the separate knobs are much more convenient than twirling a 10 turn pot around and around.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 01:17:24 am
content: Lucky there is a few of those available. Posting eBay links to nice old boat anchors will see the agents of TEA breaking open their piggy banks and checking the back of seats for coin to add to their stashA very usable supply btw just consider the size of the Anchor you are buying and if it will fit your dinghy

author: mk_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 01:19:50 am
content: Quote from: chris9000 on December 30, 2018, 12:24:17 amyou will find your selection here for £75https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-used-test-equipment-new-rigol-units-all-at-must-sell-prices/msg2000315/#msg2000315

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 12:45:48 pm
content: I have the TTi PL320QMD - I bought it several years ago for £160 as new old stock.I've been very pleased with it and it is still the supply I use for practically everything despite having an Agilent, a Hameg and just acquired a Keithley 2303.It is quiet both electrically and sonically (if that is a word). The meters are pretty accurate, it has remote sensing.The only down sides are it is not programmable (this has never bothered me as I set things manually anyway) and it is large and heavy but not too bad - it is quite shallow so sits at the back of the bench ok.One thing though, the one you're looking at is only 1A and I think I'd find that limiting. You can double the two sources to double the current but then you only have one output. For most electronics 1A is plenty but I like to play with OCXOs and their heaters can draw well over 1A as do Rubidium oscillators.

author: chris9000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2018, 01:10:39 pm
content: Thanks a lot everyone for your very helpful replies!mk_ - thanks for the heads up, just sent them a PM.The lack of programmability doesn't really bother me too much I don't thinkThat's a good point about being only 1A jpb, I've actually got a rubidium oscillator tooI'll have a look on fleabay to see if there are any slightly more powerful TTi power supplies.