Cheap bench supply recommendations? Dual 0-30v 0-6A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Riotpack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 12:50:26 pm
content: I was wondering if anyone could suggest a reliable bench supply with dual outputs, I don't need any features apart from CC and CV modes. It is mainly for the troubleshooting stage of my CT XRAY project before my PCB is produced so I need 24V@6A for the 0-50kV adjustable supply and around 0-5V at up to 6A for the XRAY tube heater so I can plot some parameters of the tube.My budget is between $100-$450 AU

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 01:46:37 pm
content: I was just on ebay.com.au looking for you. that place is a ghost town. When I worked for sold.com.au I don't remember it being quite so sparse, but that was a while ago.I have two HP 6286As that I can strap together to operate as a dual tracking supply. This is functionality that comes out of the box on these supplies. Each one is a 20V 10A, (they'll overvolt to 24V) and I love this model quite a bit. I would recommend this if you can find them locally or for shipping that is reasonable. There are none on ebay.com.au at the moment.Given your amperage requirements I'm not sure what else to recommend. HP/Agilent has lots of supplies that can suit you, all of which are of excellent quality, but not within your price range if you include shipping costs.Depending on the amount of adjustability required, may be best to use something like this:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-110-220V-24V-15A-360W-Switching-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-CCTV-/390680267187?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5af65bc9b3&_uhb=1And this:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/S-50-5-Aluminum-Housing-Output-DC-5V-10A-LED-Switching-Power-Supply-/390757962354?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5afafd5272&_uhb=1[edit: you'll need to add fuses to get current protection. i forgot about this requirement when i started looking at these cheaper supplies. apologies.]The non-adjustable stuff is always going to be WAY less expensive. These aren't bench supplies, of course, but they are high current and will be useful beyond this project.

author: Riotpack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 12:14:17 am
content: I might just get a open frame to run the HV PSU, I only buy Japanese Cosel branded ones like this -http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261280597027?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649They seem to last forever and I have used them in control cabinets I built for large corporations like Kelloggs and never had any issues with them.For the heater I will probably try to get away with 5A like this one:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BENCH-TOP-POWER-SUPPLY-30V-5A-Regulated-Bench-Top-Power-Supply-240V-Mains-/251409993135?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item3a89340daf&_uhb=1Of course I will strap a string of diodes across the heater (so they will start conducting and protect the heater from disintegrating) maybe start with 4 diodes so at 2.6V the diodes will conduct and force the PSU into CC mode - cheap protection rather than having to replace an XRAY tube.Once I find the correct power range for the heater I will tailor the buck converter on my PCB to work within a safe range. It is all controlled remotely by 4-20 ma control loops and RS485.