New Rigol DC Load DL3000 Series - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 12:14:29 pm
content: Rigol prepares a new target group instruments. DC Loads !Take a look :http://coral-i.co.za/DL3000%20datasheet%20201702-EN%20DSJ01100-1110.pdfThis instruments needs a good software to pair. I hope Rigol this time to make it.Looks like 2017 is a good year for fresh stuff in testing gears area !

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 12:21:26 pm
content: Based on bad experience with their sw support and products like DC power supply I'm not sure if it will be good option.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 12:48:06 pm
content: Connect it to the DP832 and see which of the two overheats or blows up its FETs first.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 01:06:32 pm
content: Jazzy.Price?

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 01:43:44 pm
content: Bigfor sense terminals where it only makes sense (get it?) - on the front. Like in my Array and unlike the Maynuo/BK Precision/Itech. Too bad about them being shrouded banana terminals, though - could be a PITA at times.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 02:27:31 pm
content: I also like sense terminals on the front. Also it has Imon and Vmon BNC, so easy scope connection. I guess easier to use standalone, but Maynuo has software that is actually usable.. Rigol so far didn't make single piece of good PC software... They all look like something thrown together over weekend.... We'll see. I really like my M9812, works well, just Vmon out and sense on the front on Rigol are very nice...

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 02:29:28 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 24, 2017, 01:06:32 pmUntil now, i think, only Rigol knows

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 02:38:06 pm
content: And a photo from Batterfly :https://twitter.com/BatterFlySrl/status/841943973321179136

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 02:47:55 pm
content: Quote from: SimonD on March 24, 2017, 02:38:06 pmOff-topic comment after I saw the Twitter photo you posted: what's with Rigol and their PSU GUIs emulating low-contrast LED displays? As if faking a 7-segment display using high-resolution graphic LCD wasn't silly enough, they even mimic the still visible "off" segments for added non-legibilityEDIT:Or was the LCD "persistence" of the power readout just the effect of the unfortunate timing and/or long exposure?

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 03:49:12 am
content: Anybody pick one up? $499.00 for the 200 watt looks like a nice price. Maybe Dave could get one and do a tear down and review?

author: ass20
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 09:42:41 am
content: i read info ....But it is do not support LED mode ...It is need for me for testing led power supplys

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 07:27:23 pm
content: tequipment page:http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DL3021/Electronic-Loads/It looks like the DL3021 should be able to be hacked to DL3021A ($499 and $799), the specs are slightly confusing though.Here are options:QuoteDisappointing without LED for sure, and they don't show much detail of the battery test: "Battery test function, OCP test, OPP test, factory test function, etc."As others have pointed out, with rigol you want all these features on the device as software outside of that is not good.Specs are good however.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2017, 10:36:50 am
content: Features: Single output, 150 V/40 A/15 kHz, total power up to 200 WShouldn't this strictly be called input? The DC load is consuming power from the Device Under Test.It is pulling it in. So that's an input right? =)

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2017, 11:03:42 am
content: Yessss, hopefully some affordable electronic loads

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2017, 01:56:00 pm
content: The LED testing is not built-in into the GUI. I'm assuming that we could write some Python LED test software for it.I'm wondering if the 15khz to 30khz is possible with a hack, or there is a hardware difference between the devices.I think I'll pull the trigger, since I don't have a DC load test device.

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2017, 02:48:15 pm
content: I'm curious, what's the deal with the dedicated LED testing mode? What's so specific about LED loads that warrants having some special mode for emulating those on a DC load?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2017, 07:50:55 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on April 05, 2017, 02:48:15 pmQuotehttp://www.chromaate.com/product/63110A__63113A_63115A_LED_Load_Simulator.htmhttp://adaptivepower.com/Resources/Documents/APS_App_Note_LED_Driver_Testing.pdfQuote from: Dwaine on April 05, 2017, 01:56:00 pmLet me know where you purchase from.

author: mr.os
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 06:14:12 am
content: I found some prices on an Austrian site:http://www.rekirsch.at/Messtechnik/Messtechnik+Lasten/DL3021: 439€ + VATDL3021A: 759€ + VATDL3031: 959€ + VATDL3031A: 1429€ + VATI think the base price is okay. But the step from 200W to 350W is far to high. You can get an Applent AT8612 for 360$ shipped (to Germany) on Aliexpress.Hopefully the options can be hacked so that these prices don't matterThere was also the manual:http://www.rekirsch.at/user_html/1282834349/pix/a/media/DL3021/DL3000_UserGuide_EN20170217.pdf

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 07:46:59 am
content: The question is if they are ready to ship or is just in pre-order state?I have nothing see yet in the official Rigol sites about.Actualy if we can download the user's manual we can understand lot of things about the instrument.(Edit. Mr.OS have put a link. Great!)

author: mr.os
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 07:56:59 am
content: All are in the pre-order state. You have to ask for the shipping time.But I think the prices could be realistic - under 500$ for the base model and than on. The base model should have its designated price.Hopefully the other model is not sooo expensive later and it is only a mistake yet.

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 08:04:32 am
content: 439 backs is a good price! Especially if the base model is hackable.I agree. The top model is over priced in my opinion. And probably the hardware is the same.But the companion software is a big player in this area of instruments.

author: mr.os
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 08:13:42 am
content: I mean the price for the 350W model is to high. 520€ more for 150W? There must be a mistake. When it is around 600 to 700 it would be faire.I think 320€ for all options (200W model; 470€ for the 350W model - why?) is okay even when it is not hackable. But there must be some error at his shp ... hopefully.

author: diyaudio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 08:28:23 am
content: Looks good, I don't think the pc software is going to be anything near good judging them from previous experience. Contact the software work to a Western Company in California.

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 03:16:11 pm
content: Quote from: mr.os on April 06, 2017, 08:13:42 amI'd pay 500€ for the 200W model, no problems. Especially if its hackable. I really hope Batronix will get them fairly quick with a pricing around the 500€ marl for the 200W model. Of course less is always better, but I'm just trying to be realistic here.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 03:43:44 pm
content: I see a leakage of information hereDo not expect any delivery before the mid of May

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2017, 06:14:38 pm
content: Tequipment has them. Let me go back and see if there was a delay in delivery.

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 12:50:55 pm
content: Evereywere I looked for the DL3000 Series it says 404. Maybe Rigol requested that the info of the e-load to be taken down for some reason ?

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 12:52:28 pm
content: Quote from: Rbastler on April 10, 2017, 12:50:55 pmyes, official product launch is around mid of May

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 12:57:02 pm
content: I know. I mean why take down all the info thats availabe now on for expample tequipment. The link provided from another user just says "404". Like other ones I looked up.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 05:46:40 am
content: TEquipment pulled the web page. It's gone.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2017, 05:48:59 am
content: Because they're pulling "a Siglent", raising the price by 40% between now and actual launch and don't want to be called out?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 06:28:59 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on April 11, 2017, 05:48:59 amWhen did they do that ?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 06:46:46 pm
content: Please see theSiglent NEW bench DMM thread.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 07:02:59 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on April 12, 2017, 06:46:46 pmWell I have no idea where the originally proposed pricing came from and have always known better than portray any pricing until it's formally announced. In fact the only pricing I have is dealer pricing as yet, no retail at all so the price advertised is just conjecture.BTW, I have a demo unit of 3065X coming and a 3055 demo on hand so will take some little time to compare results.

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2017, 03:43:53 pm
content: Here you can watch the product in the official rigol site with some more informations and some videos :https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/dl3000/?utm_term=Learn%20More&utm_campaign=DL3000%20Launch&utm_content=landing+page&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=landing+page&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-Landing%20Page-_-DL3000%20Launch-_-Learn%20More

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 10:15:03 pm
content: Quote from: SimonD on June 04, 2017, 03:43:53 pmthanks, the battery mode doesn't look too bad. Although it does not generate curves on the instrument or the record data, from what I see.You have to use their Ultra Load software to record the csv data, then make a plot in excel yourself.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 09:07:19 am
content: I'm saving my pennies for this DC load. Just when will it start to ship is the next question.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 01:45:53 pm
content: interesting. dl3031 is 999, dl3031 is 1499..."Five software-enabled licenses are optionally available to suit individual needs: (LAN-DL3, DIGITALIO-DL3, HIRES-DL3, FREQ-DL3, SLEWRATE-DL3)."assumption, no lan/lxi by default.

author: taemun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 01:49:32 pm
content: I see them up onTaobaofor:DL3021 2680 RMB = 395 USD = 350 EURDL3031 3580 RMB = 527 USD = 467 EURThey're listed the 'A' variants at the same price, but I'm sure that's a placeholder.<not threadjacking, just a point of comparison>Maynuo M9711's are smaller, and about 1000 RMB cheaper than the DL3021 - but UI is a little primitive, the sense inputs are on the rear (and hidden in a settings menu), and there's no Ethernet (option.... thanks Rigol!). Of course, the mysteriously similar M9710 can be had for even less - about1000 RMB total!The Maynuo units have extremely fast screen updates though, which I love. I hope Rigol can get that right.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 01:52:08 pm
content: saelig says 999 + 1499; could be placeholders thohttp://www.saelig.com/product/dl3031.htmhttp://www.saelig.com/product/dl3031a.htm

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 05:27:54 am
content: And here is another one from the international site with different style (better colored buttons in my opinion), the firmware to download and the starting price.http://int.rigol.com/Product/Model/90/515Maybe we can hope for a Dave's unique way review sometime ?

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 06:17:19 am
content: If you ask me, I'd be more concerned about the noise injected from the unit rather than the price itself: it's very annoying to have your measurement screwed up by things like that... Especially if you are going to make some ripple measurements or specification checks on other power supplies! Anyway, for less than 800 Eur it would be a fantastic choice for most of us!

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:10:52 am
content: I Agree, but from the other hand what you give is what you get (i mean money).

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 09:24:02 am
content: Well, Should be interesting if Dave compares it with the BK precision he haves, results may be surprising, being in the same price range. Also it would be intersting to compare it with a kikosui one....

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 10:58:26 am
content: ... or a Chrome one ...

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 03:41:44 pm
content: Quote from: R005T3r on June 07, 2017, 06:17:19 amFor 1-1.2k EUR you can have used Agilent N3301A with module, so 800 EUR it expensive.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 12:12:41 pm
content: Today is the official release day of the New RIGOL DL3000 DC Electronic Load for Europe

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 12:25:59 pm
content: Quote from: plesa on June 07, 2017, 03:41:44 pmThe N3301A is definitley a not so compact one, and also you can't say it's a new instrument (replacement parts?). Besides you cannot have an Agilent or pretty much any other one for something as low as $500, especially if it's brand-new and you don't want to to the no name brands...Also, for something like 1,2K EUR you can get a used kikusui load (and probably still save up something), but again, we are taking about brand-new vs used...

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 04:28:34 pm
content: It could be very interesent a side by side hardware comparison between the two models 3021 (40A) and 3031 (60A), especially at the power stage part to see if they are so big differences to deserve this huge ammount difference of money. Allmost more than the double! As for the differences between simple and A models as i can see is probably only software licences ...

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 05:10:13 pm
content: I have done these table, it may help to spot the differences faster.Ciao

author: smithnerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 06:23:48 pm
content: I noticed a couple of things while I was poking around in the GEL firmware update file:Mention of a DAC8560 voltage reference:http://www.ti.com/product/DAC8560Mention of two other models, 3051 and 3051A - a future/canned 500W version?

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 06:53:13 pm
content: Quote from: R005T3r on June 07, 2017, 06:17:19 amAgreed. This is my main concern. My iTech is noisy as anything and also can't go down below about 10mA reliably. If this thing would be quiet and precise, I would look at replacing. Yes, an SMU would be better, but is 10x the price.

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2017, 10:25:34 am
content: Quote from: smithnerd on June 10, 2017, 06:23:48 pm500W upgradeable by software license maybe?

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 11:14:18 am
content: it seems the DL3000 comes in two different color schemes:non-A modelsA models

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 01:44:33 pm
content: A models have an A-mazing look

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 02:18:33 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on March 24, 2017, 02:47:55 pmI absolutely hate when designers mimic 7-segment displays. It makes no freaking sense. As a UI designer, you want it to be as usable as possible, so you should be choosing fonts that maximize legibility.I sure as heck hope the "off" segments there are an artifact of photography, and aren't actually present. My guess is that it's an artifact, since the two upper display areas don't seem to have it at all.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 02:21:53 pm
content: tooki, I have a DL3021 here on my desk, please tell me what you like to see and I take a picture and post it.

author: Aeternam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 02:46:34 pm
content: Quote from: simone.pignatti on June 12, 2017, 02:21:53 pmHow about a teardown?

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 06:11:37 pm
content: Quote from: Aeternam on June 12, 2017, 02:46:34 pmNaturally!!

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 07:46:09 am
content: Quote from: mcinque on June 12, 2017, 06:11:37 pmGreat idea !!!Simone,i m ready to pull the trigger for the DL3021, my application needs 24V at 25A ... 35A, can you make a quick test in this range please ?P.S. (at Simone), any discount code as you have say in to the SDM3065X topic ?

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 08:31:10 am
content: Quote from: SimonD on June 13, 2017, 07:46:09 amMaybe you can try RIGOL-123-PASTA, or RIGOL-MAMA-MIA?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 09:59:51 am
content: Quote from: simone.pignatti on June 12, 2017, 02:21:53 pmIt's not clear from my reply, or the original comment I was replying to??Look at the picture in:Quote from: SimonD on March 24, 2017, 02:38:06 pmSee how on the watts display, the unlit segments are still kinda lit? (And on the V to a lesser degree.) Are the unlit segments actually there but less bright, or are they actually completely black, and what the picture shows is just artifacts from photography?

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 11:09:53 am
content: Quote from: tooki on June 13, 2017, 09:59:51 amSo you are not wondering about the DL3021 load at all, but about the DL700 power supply which sits on top of it in the photo, right?

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 11:30:33 am
content: I would expect the half lit segments on the power supply to be an artifact from changing numbers during exposure.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 12:31:19 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on June 13, 2017, 11:09:53 amI wasn't wondering at all. Just agreeing with/elaborating on someone else's comment.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 01:03:26 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 13, 2017, 12:31:19 pmSure. But you were asking for details on the DL700 (the instrument sitting on top in the Batterfly photograph, with the simulated 7-segment display). In contrast, simone.pignatti had offered to take pictures of his DL3021, and probably does not have a DL700. Just trying to clarify...

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 01:44:48 pm
content: Quote from: pascal_sweden on June 13, 2017, 08:31:10 amLOLWe have discount code, just send a PM, we will try to make a funny one

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 01:48:05 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on June 13, 2017, 01:03:26 pmSorry if I messed up...Yes we have DP711 and DP712 to try together with the DL3021Now I'm traveling, I can do from next Monday ontooki, sorry againciao

author: maukka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 03:21:00 pm
content: Thanks to Simone(?) for answering my question on Youtube about the watt-hour display (which I totally think they should include in the battery test display). I also edited my second question and wasn't sure if you noticed that. I went through the manual, but can't confirm whether it's possible to log csv data on a USB flash drive.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2017, 04:10:27 pm
content: I'm not sure you can download straight from the unit to a USB stickHowever the Rigol Ultra Load PC Software is free of charge, you can get it here:https://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/attachment/1579/f-0781/1/-/-/-/-/S1501%20Ultra%20Load%28PC%29Install_00.01.00.02.zip

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 04:34:18 am
content: I am really hoping they release a new power supply with this new case and screen design.Would be a big improvement over the old one.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 06:16:52 am
content: Quote from: Dubbie on June 14, 2017, 04:34:18 amAnd hopefully all 3 voltage outputs will be completely isolated like on the Siglent power supply.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 06:47:01 am
content: I hope Dave gets a unit and does a tear down of the A model.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2017, 08:37:26 am
content: Quote from: simone.pignatti on June 13, 2017, 01:48:05 pmStill, appreciative of your offer to help, even if I don't need it myself!

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 05:37:58 am
content: I am wondering if two or more pieces can work parallel ... (via Digital I/O synchronization for example) as other manufacturer devices ...

author: R005T3r
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 12:33:33 pm
content: Apparently, they have an I/O port on the back which is used for enabling/disabling the input... But the manual don't mention any synchronization feature....

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 01:38:08 pm
content: Yeah ... i have seen that ... but i was hoping to be a hidden function

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 01:40:32 pm
content: load can only be connected together in parallel and in constant current mode. Not in the other modes (CV, CR, CP) and not in serial.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 06:22:36 am
content: Quote from: maukka on June 13, 2017, 03:21:00 pmHello Maukka, is the Watt/Hours a requirement for Battery Test Mode only or also when using Constant Power Mode?Thanks

author: maukka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 19, 2017, 01:49:07 pm
content: Quote from: simone.pignatti on June 19, 2017, 06:22:36 amI would have hoped I'm not restricted to only a constant current mode on the battery test, but that seems to be the case after checking the manual. The constant power mode should be extended to the battery test mode too. In that case I only need the Wh meter on the battery test, but why not make it available on the normal tests too?

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2017, 06:04:01 am
content: Quote from: simone.pignatti on June 15, 2017, 01:40:32 pmBetter than nothing!Have you test this possibility? How can be done this ? Is there any synchronizing topology between the devices?From this depends if we can have a hope for the rest of functions in a future firmware update. Can you give us an example or more information's about it?Thank you.

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2017, 07:54:04 am
content: Quote from: SimonD on June 21, 2017, 06:04:01 amFriendly advice: never buy anything on the premise of a feature (either promised let alone just hoped-for) being possibly added in some future firmware update sometime. Make your buying decisions based on what the thing already is and treat the possibility of something being added with some future firmware release merely as a bonus.

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2017, 08:39:26 am
content: Quote from: Zbig on June 21, 2017, 07:54:04 amYou have right, most times firmware updates just fix some malfunctions. But they are some cases that add's new futures where this is possible.This future is not so critical for my applications. I can live without it! But it could be nice (if that works for CC until now) for someone to know if this function can work better with a simple firmware update.This movement adds value in the device. Buing another same type gear in the future you can almost double your investement for this instruments field.

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2017, 04:48:43 pm
content: Earlier this week I got myself the small model (DL3021), and had a quick play with it today. Just to get a feel for the instrument.First impression was: Damn... That thing is big and heavy. At work we have some of the Maynuo 300W loads, and they are small and light as a feather in comparison.After playing with the various modes, I got the impression it does pretty much what it says it does. There are some weird quirks here and there though:First the graphical view of current, voltage or power. It draws the newest value to the left, and then scroll the graph to the right. Like a scope running in reverse.That one is going to drive me bonkers.I had a couple of weird incidents where the load did not do what I asked it to do. One time in constant power, where I had it happily pulling 100W from a power supply, and while adjusting the voltage and current limits of the PSU (not touching the load), it suddenly went to 1W power draw. I could change the power setting on the screen, it still drew only 1W. I turned the input off (it did so), and back on... Still 1W. Only when going to another mode like CC, and then bak to CP, it came back to life and pulled the power I set it to.Another similar bug was in battery test mode, where the current was 0.1A no matter what I set it to. Go to CC mode and back and the problem was solved.And lastly: Why the heck is there a short circuit button near the input on/off button? It may be a convenient function when testing power supplies, but one accidental push of that button while I have a Lithium polymer battery pack connected?!?At the very least it should be possible to disable that button in the settings. Hopefully they will add that in a firmware update.

author: I4E
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2017, 10:33:52 pm
content: HelloThank you for sharing your experience. We are also distributors for Maynuo so do know what you mean about the units being light. Have you been happy with the Maynou Electronic loads you've bought?Have you fed your comments about the Electronic Load back to Rigol yet? If not would you mind if I do? If you have any other suggestions please let me know. They like to hear from customers and typically will act on suggestions especially when it's a new product that's just been released.Have a great day everyone!Joy TorresInstruments 4 Engineersinfo@instruments4engineers.comwww.instruments4engineers.comAuthorized Distributors for Rigol, Maynuo and moreCurrently in talks with Siglent about being distributors

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2017, 06:58:20 am
content: I don't have a Maynuo myself, but the power supply designers at my workplace have several. They are quite pleased with them.I have not contacted Rigol yet. I wanted to do some controlled tests to see if I could recreate the errors in a consistent way. It is always better if you can demonstrate the error, instead of just saying that I saw it do something weird but not knowing what triggered it. Yes, I am a software developer myself, and I know how frustrating it is to get a bug report without solid evidence to go by.If you want to, you shall be very welcome to contact them.I would really like a way to disable the short circuit button. I feel it is an accident waiting to happen.It would be nice to get the graph view to go the normal way.And as someone else mentioned earlier, it would be very useful to have the choice between constant current and constant power in the battery test.I will try to recreate the non-responsive power and/or current draws.

author: I4E
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2017, 02:41:03 pm
content: Thank you .. I've sent your comments to Rigol. If you find anything else while you do more testing please let me know. I appreciate your feedback.Hope you have a lovely day!SincerelyJoy TorresInstruments 4 Engineerswww.instruments4engineers.com

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2017, 05:54:56 pm
content: Quote from: Svuppe on June 26, 2017, 06:58:20 amI have tried all sorts of things, but now the load just works every time. Which is a good thing I guess

author: I4E
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2017, 12:45:01 am
content: I spoke to Rigol and they were really grateful for your feedback.Joy TorresInstruments 4 Engineersinfo@instruments4engineers.comwww.instruments4engineers.comAuthorized Distributors for Rigol and more

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 02:10:41 pm
content: Our custom cables have arrived! we are ready to test DL3000 against DP800Post here your testing requirements!

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 11:39:51 pm
content: My gosh, that faceplate is a graphic design crimescene.

author: Pinkus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2017, 06:30:34 pm
content: Quote from: Dubbie on July 04, 2017, 11:39:51 pm+1I agree. Sometimes Rigols design is OK (e.g. DS2000 series), sometimes it is just awful (like the power supply or this new load). Design consistency seems to be an alien concept for them. I wonder if these left skewed buttons on the top are on purpose or just a mistake happened during converting graphics filesEdit: I just checked out the buttons: the buttons come in 9 different shapes .... OMG.

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2017, 06:33:51 pm
content: How loud is it under load ? Say, I want to know ho much charge in a lead acid battery is left and I'm discharging it with 10A or similar.I'm planning to buy the DL3021 for my home lab.

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2017, 07:15:34 pm
content: I am happy that my non-A version is more discrete with its white/grey front.About the fan noise, it is not bad. My Agilent U8002A power supply is louder. I haven't tried running the load at max power for extended periods of time, so it may be able to get louder.

author: giovannirat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2017, 01:04:57 pm
content: RIGOL loads now available at Batronix....http://www.batronix.com/shop/load/loads.html

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2017, 01:21:24 pm
content: I'm going to get mine from them, after I got my money from work this summer

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 04:00:11 pm
content: Can any owner make a simple test and post a photo?Preferred model 3021.Input : 24V-25A Load (or more Amps) in C.C. mode.What is the result of voltage returned ? (Drop voltage).What is the result in about 1KHz ... 3KHz, 50% PWM Source? Noise, spikes etc ? (If this test is possible!)Thanks in advance!

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 04:49:03 pm
content: Meh, Batronix has now a 19-40 day waiting time for the base model to arrive, because it's sold out atm

author: hwj-d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2017, 03:09:47 pm
content: Quote from: Rbastler on July 10, 2017, 04:49:03 pmThe Rigol DL3031A is in stockatm...

author: lukaq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 02:24:55 pm
content: Dave,is there any plan of getting one?

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 07:39:20 pm
content: teardown, teardown!!

author: Robaroni
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2017, 11:17:17 pm
content: What's the difference between the 3021 and 3021A?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2017, 11:38:59 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/what-is-the-difference-between-a-rigol-dl3021-and-the-dl3021a/

author: Worsdier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2017, 12:51:05 pm
content: I was so excited when I saw this DC Load today and was about to order one, but then noticed that the battery test function doesn't display capacity in watt-hours on the device. I hope this gets added in a firmware update.I don't understand why all the DC loads only test battery capacity in Ah. I sent Array and email requesting a firmware update so that it can display the battery capacity in Wh for my 3720A and about a week later I received a firmware file via email that supposedly adds this, however the firmware file is for the 3721A model and didn't work. I'm still hoping to receive the correct firmware file for my model, because it's a pain in the ass writing a script to do this calculation on a PC when it's so much more convenient if the device can do it.

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2017, 01:16:02 pm
content: Quote from: Worsdier on August 05, 2017, 12:51:05 pmFun fact: I'm testing the battery capacity with a 3721A right now. Do you know if they plan on releasing the firmware version officially? Or maybe you could hook me up with yours?

author: Worsdier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2017, 01:29:42 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on August 05, 2017, 01:16:02 pmI actually do not think they plan on releasing it officially, because this update is v1.53 and the latest one on the website is only v1.43. Even the updater utility I received is a year newer than the one on their website.I'll gladly share the v1.57 update for the 3721A with you and you can let me know if it actually adds Wh readings to the battery test function. Send me your email address and I'll mail you the firmware and update utility right away.

author: Worsdier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2017, 05:04:34 am
content: I sent Rigol an email requesting them to add Constant Power mode to the Battery Test function in order to measure battery capacity in Wh. I received an email back that they already have this feature in the pipeline and that it's expected to be ready at the end of the month. I'm really happy about that.Are there any members on the forum with DL3000 series loads that would be willing to notify us on the forum when this feature gets added to the firmware? I would like to order a DL3021A if Rigol adds this feature to the load.

author: maukka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2017, 06:07:18 am
content: Quote from: Worsdier on August 10, 2017, 05:04:34 amThat's great news! Anyone tested if the Rigol loads have the same problem as their power supplies thattheir PC control software doesn't work with region settings that use comma as the decimal point?

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2017, 02:23:35 am
content: cool

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:17:30 am
content: Yesterday my new DL3021A arrived.The first thing i noticed was that when i am just enabling the input it constantly show a current of around 2.2 mA even when not connected to any source. And in 4A-Mode where the spec of the current setting would allow a maximum of 2mA.Ugh... A further look into the spec tells me that this value is within spec because - other than other loads - this device only has one current readback range. Other devices are using at least similar or even the same setting and readback-ranges. It's accuracy is specified with +-(0.05%+0.05%FS). FS is 40A, so up to 20 mA without any load would still be in spec.WTF... why is there no 0 to 4A readback range with an accuracy similar to the input mode of the device?During testing i struggled in the constant resistance mode. I connected a 1.5V battery, switched to CR Mode, pressed 15, then "kOhm". The display showed "15 kOhm". After enabling, the device pulled around 70 mA from the Battery (and showed 15 Ohm in it's display).The last time i got a new rigol device - function generator DG1062z - i had to exchange the device multiple times until i go a satisfying one. The first one had a hardware-failure, the second one was out of spec in frequency accuracy, the third one was acceptable (but there still was an software error when using the external 10Mhz-source after powering off the device).I am really not shure if i will keep this rigol load. Maybe Maynuo would be more satisfying?What are the disadvantages of Maynuo?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:37:48 am
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 05, 2017, 09:17:30 amI haven't found any so far... It doesn't have fancy graphic screen, so for graphical approach you use software on a PC (which is pretty good). In a battery mode there is no W/hour measurements only A/hour... Everything else looks just perfect so far...

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 10:11:27 am
content: Although the Maynuo 97/98-series loads are programmable they're not LXI and/or SCPI, it's got no USB or Ethernet port, instead it uses MODBUS RTU over a un-isolated (ie the common for the TX/RX-signals is connected to negative terminal of the input) TTL-level UART-connection for which you generally would want to use their M-131 or M-133 isolated level translator cable - or a similar DIY type of thing.If you're into automation and have other instruments speaking SCPI then having to mess around with MODBUS as well may be a disadvantage.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 10:29:38 am
content: ah... from what i can actually see the main disadvantage for me is that the Mayunos have no selectable slew-rate setting. Automation wouldn't be a big issue as long as there is a good pc-software to get graphs for documentation purposes.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 10:33:35 am
content: MODBUS is mature industry standard.. Very robust and versatile, and not that hard to learn and use.. Isolated cable is no problem, to make or buy. You can also connect to RS485 and run 400 meters cable run ... Also, with RS485, it's a bus, so you can connect multiple devices on a same cable, each with it's address... Maynuo supports that mode...All registers and commands are explained in user manual.. And from a program you speak to it as a normal serial port, so no special libraries.. You need to calculate checksums on packets, but that is not hard to write (once) or there is tons of ready made libs in C, python and whatnot ..If you are into automation, you need to know MODBUS anyways....Don't look at it as a hardship but as an opportunity to learn..

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 11:11:38 am
content: QuoteOh, absolutely, it's a mature industry standard, I wasn't saying or implying it wasn't.QuoteIf you're intoindustrial automationyes, most likely you should know MODBUS. But I'm not equally sure MODBUS is that common in T&M automation - scopes, power supplies, spectrum analyzers, that kind of thing. And if the rest of your test setup uses LXI then having to deal with MODBUS over a serial connection might be considered a disadvantage over an instrument that does support LXI, that's all I'm saying.QuoteIt all depends on who's buying and for what. It might be you have been assigned a task to complete, you might want (or might have to) choose the path of least resistance, because the task has to be finished in a timely manner. Then having to deal with (and possibly learn from scratch) another protocol might, again, be a disadvantage. If you're not even DOING any automation then obviously it doesn't matter much - if at all.I have a Maynuo e-load and it's the only programmable instrument on my shelf that uses MODBUS, my other four programmable instruments all uses SCPI, to me that's a disadvantage even though I do know MODBUS fairly well, having written uC code for MODBUS RTU.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 11:38:31 am
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 05, 2017, 10:29:38 amOf course they have, who told you that? You can set rise and fall time separately, from 0.1/usec to 30 sec in transient mode... It is annoying that you can't do it interactively though...

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 12:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on September 05, 2017, 11:38:31 amAh... this is what i saw in the manual (it was not mentioned anywhere). But now as you were speaking about it i did search again. I was only looking for the terms of slew rate. When looking for rise time, i can find the references. So another checkmark on the positive side of maynuo.

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 12:47:29 am
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 05, 2017, 09:17:30 amUnfortunately this seems to be par for the course when Rigol first brings a new device to market.QuoteI would definitely recommend testing it as much as you can, and if you aren't comfortable that you can live with the bugs you (and others) will surely find, definitely go ahead and send it back while you can. For the most part they do seem to eventually get thing sorted out, however its not something I would count on to happen for sure.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 02:00:01 pm
content: Hmm... i am still tinking about which device would be better.The Maynuo seems to support only CC-Operation in List mode.The Rigol supports CC, CV, CR, CP-Operation in List Mode.Actually i am waiting for an answer from the support people if there is a user calibration procedure for the rigol available/possible.The Rigol PC-Software (Ultra Load) for remote access looks fine to me as a control-software. But it seems that it is not able to store the graphs recorded and even the date can only be stored as CSV. Maynuo supports an internal formad and exports to excel and word. Also it is not possible to make some graphical cursor measurements as with Maynuo. And it seems to be not possible to use the tests from the software. This makes the software nearly useless. One aspect of modern devices is that it must be possible to store data for later use. Or is there some feature hidden for my eyes in this software?Another aspect i am thinking about: Rigol wants the Rise-Time setting entered as a Slew-Rate, Maynuo as the time itself. In many cases the slew-rate entry needs some calculation.And Rigol misses the LED operation. But this is something i do not need currently.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 02:35:35 pm
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 07, 2017, 02:00:01 pmOn a device yes..From software, in Program tab, you can program steps in all 4 modes... Also, in Autotest tab, you can program in MIXED modes in every step,measure and create pass-fail criteria, log results to a database, make reports and export to Excel and Word..

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 03:06:48 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on September 07, 2017, 02:35:35 pmAh, i see, thank you for that hint. In Autotest it is available and the List mode uses the setting that has been selected on the "Main Panel".Do i interpret the list mode settings and the Graph correctly, the device will not "jump" from one current value to the next at the end of the delay time, instead it will make a smooth and floating transition?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 07:05:16 pm
content: Quote from: schopi68 on September 07, 2017, 03:06:48 pmUnfortunately, no, it is step transitions, but you can have hundreds of steps and arbitrary resolution, so you can approximate linear ramps ..

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 09:04:50 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on September 07, 2017, 07:05:16 pmMhh... maybe a feature comparison table could be a good idea for my decision. Why didn't rigol make a device that is better in every aspect than the competition (which sells devices that are several years old). They have several interesting small ideas implemented that i cannot find in the Maynuo, but is it worth to buy Rigol when there are some disadvantages on the other end of the table?Actually i am thinking about the isolation of the rear bnc-output for current/voltage monitoring of the DL3000. It would be nice if it is isolated (but i am assuming that it is not).Also i could not find any exact information if the DL3000 rear Voltage monitor output reads back the Input or the Sense Terminals when they are in enabled.

author: jackenhack
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 03:32:37 pm
content: I have a Maynuo DC load, but I can't use it when measuring noise on the DC line because the load inject a lot of noise. I think I remember an episode of Daves video with the BK Precision that had the same problem. Anyone knows if this unit is usable for noise measurements of power supply under load?

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 04:07:32 pm
content: Quote from: jackenhack on September 08, 2017, 03:32:37 pmAre your observations similar to the ones described here?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/dc-electronic-load-induced-noiseq/Interesting to see: some Series of the Maynuo Loads (I.e. M88-Series) do have ripple/noise information in their specs. I could also find information in older agilent DC load datasheets, but none in the Rigol documentation.

author: jackenhack
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 06:05:17 pm
content: Yeah, it's kind of weird (at least for my feeble brain) that what is essentially a MOSFET drawing power should introduce noise?

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 08:42:30 pm
content: Quote from: jackenhack on September 08, 2017, 06:05:17 pmLoads are just control loops, and having an unknown dynamic source (which itself is a control loop in the case of a regulated power supply) can lead to tuning and stability issues. Really hot loops inject noise sometimes.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2017, 10:05:37 pm
content: Okay, measuring the ripple/noise has been the decision-maker. Rigol has to go back.I got an Maynuo M9812 for comparison. It has been sent with an factory calibration sheet with good calibration data, but this was useless: dated 2015-10-28. Now, two years later - this device now has completely different data and is out of spec: its current setting has an zero offset of 1,95 mA in the 3A range (Tolerance is +-1,5 mA).But the ripple/noise test gave good results.With the Maynuo i got a noise/ripple measurement of <0,17 mV(Ueff)at 10mA load and < 0,4mV(Ueff)at 5A load in the range of 20 Hz-4 MHz.This was the point where Rigol had a total failure. Starting at 1A it showed oscillations with 3,5 MHz at 30 mV(Ueff). When switching the Power Source off and on again, the oscillation stopped and i could measure a ripple up to 4,3 mV(Ueff)at 5A. 10 times worse than the Maynuo.Switching the Rigol Load input off and on restarted the oscillation. I tried this with three different Power supplies and different lengths of the connection cables, this did not change the oscillation behavior, so it is very likely that this is a problem of the Rigol.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 08:30:31 am
content: Arghhh... the last days i did some further measurements. Totally showstopper on the Manyuo..With the rigol the user can pre-select the slew-rate. But in the Manyuo spec-sheet you even rarely find any information about the slew-rate. As it was mentioned somewhere in the spec-sheet i was thinking of about 2,5A/?s. But going deeper in detail i could see that the maynuo do not have a constant slew-rate. Regardless what step-size is done, the step always takes around 12 ?s. So i.e for a 1A Step this would be 0,08A/?s.A rule of thumb is that if you want to measure the Transient recovery time of an power supply you should inject a step with a rise-time of at least 1/5 of the expected recovery time. Even an old and rubbish HP E3615A Power supply has a recovery time of 50 ?s - and therefore cannot be tested correctly with this device.Rigol seems to win this competition.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 09:16:50 am
content: In dynamic mode you can set rise an fall time independently, from microsecond to few hours...

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 09:35:01 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on September 21, 2017, 09:16:50 amThe smalles step that is executed in dynamic mode is 40 microseconds (even with an rise- or falltime-setting of 0). This seems to be the internal minimum setting time of the device.A look at the spec-sheet gives the information that T1&T2 is in the range of 60 mikroseconds to 999s.The 12 mikroseconds i've measured are fro 10% to 90%. Measuring from the visible start of the change to it's end on the trace (where it's flattened) are very close to 20 mikroseconds.Maximum frequency of transition list is 25 kHz - this would be exactly 20 microseconds for rise or fall within a full sine wave.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 11:25:53 am
content: Sorry if it sounds obvious, but how are you measuring this? Using current output on the back of unit?

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 01:07:59 pm
content: I measured it on the back of the unit and as described in the BK precision application notehttps://bkpmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/guides/en-us/dc_electronic_load_application_note.pdf(which is similar to this video)Is there a know bandwidth-limitation on the back of the unit?Assuming that the BK Precision devices are built electronically similar or equal to the Maynuo the same parameters will apply. BK says itself that the slewrate the devices are rated at are measured for a change from zero to full load. If there is a smaller change the slew-rates are "significant lower".The BK8500 seems to be the equivalent to the Maynuo M9812 - according to the BK documentation it is rated at 0,5 A/microsecond - even worse than what i measured with the Maynuo.( Page 20 ofhttps://bkpmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/manuals/en-us/85xx_manual.pdf)The BK8600 range has user selectable slew-rates, so it is not comparable to the Maynuo.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 02:30:16 pm
content: I just checked with mine M9812..Fastest rise time I achieved was 5 µsecs risetime. Funny thing is that you specify rise time, regardless how much current the jump is...So I did 5 usec with 15A (3 A/usec), 10A (2 A/usec) and also 15 usec with 0,1A (0,006 A/usec).So specification is true.. Analog part is obviously capable of sinking large currents fast..But it cannot keep same A/sec speed at high and low currents.. On low currents it keeps same rise time.

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2017, 11:23:08 pm
content: Just received my 3021A and am already disappointed after only 30 minutes of use. The first thing I did was load up the latest firmware (v00.01.01.00.09 2017-08-014).Like Dave already pointed out, not allowing the CR and CP modes for the built-in battery test function is nuts! Have the Rigol engineers never seen a typical battery capacity test curve? Many capacity tests are done using constant resistance - not just constant current.While doing some basic testing on a 12V/20A supply, I discovered that there appears to be an 8.0V upper voltage protection when using the CR mode in the 15 ohm range - regardless of what resistance is selected. The only way out of that loop is to remove or reduce the load to less than 8V.I will continue testing the load and let you know what else I find.Fortunately, the seller offers a 30-day money back guarantee. I realize that this is a relatively new piece of test gear and I really was looking forward to being happy with it, but if these bugs and blatant omissions are not fixed within my 30 days, then I'm afraid this puppy is going back and I'll just go buy one of the proven, less frilly $300 loads.

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2017, 12:17:45 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on September 21, 2017, 02:30:16 pmIn the meanwhile i made a somewhat better test setup for my M9812. Direct wiring, no cable longer than 15 cm.I used a measurement shunt with 1 mOhm and one with 100 mOhm. The result was amplified by an HP 400F AC Voltmeter to scale in the range of 0,5 Volt/div to get a low noise result.What i observed:there seems to be an capacitor in the path. With the 0,1 Ohm resistor the rise times has been:~80 microseconds at 0,01A15 microseconds at 0,1A10 microseconds at 1A17 microseconds at 10A21 microseconds at 15AAnd now the values with the 1 mOhm resistor:~10 microseconds at 0,1A~2 microseconds at 1A~2 microseconds at 10A~3 microseconds at 15ABut: with the 1 mOhm resistor i had a huge overshot to almost twice the current value that was selected. After 10 to 20 microseconds the correct current was reached. Even with a current-selection of 20A it overshots up to 40A.Another observation was, that the pulse-width is not constant and/or wrong.My setup has been:LevelA: 0WidthA: 100msRising: 0LevelB: 1AWidthB: 0.1ms <or 5ms>with a width setting of 5ms i get a pulse-width of 6.1 ms in triggered pulse mode. In continuos mode i get 4.98ms.with a width setting of 0.1ms i get a triggered pulse width of 1,2ms. in continuos mode it is at 0,96ms.when i cange LevelB to 0.1A i can observe that the pulse length in continuos mode is fluctuating. With a widthB setting of 0.1ms the pulse length fluctuates between 0.02ms and 0.92ms.A slight fluctuation is also visible at 1A - between 0.87 an 0.97 ms.MotoDan: the battery-test in the Mayuno does also just CC.(or did i oversee some setting?)

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2017, 03:42:37 pm
content: schopi68, re the absence of CR mode in the new Rigol loads, why not add a very useful and common battery test? These are full featured (and price) units and offer may options over the baseline loads. I think it was just an oversight on Rigol's part. Hopefully it will be added soon.

author: SparkyM8
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 22, 2017, 10:45:28 pm
content: Anyone else notice the metering shunt value is only R0005 or 0.5mohm.So 1mA resolution corresponds to 500nV. That doesn't sound too sensible to me.By comparison, the 30A Maynuo uses a 16mohm shunt from 2 lengths of 2.5mm diam. Manganin wire positioned where the fan will keep it cool at higher currents.Wouldn't be at all surprised if the DL3000 suffers from noise and accuracy issues at low currents.

author: k4rlhp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2017, 01:04:05 pm
content: Quote from: MotoDan on September 21, 2017, 11:23:08 pmHey there!Which one specifically did you have in mind? For around 300...400

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2017, 10:20:52 pm
content: I'm trying to get my DL 3021A back to a firmware version earlier than the current 00.01.01.00.09 which I believe might be 00.01.01.00.03. Does anyone happen to have the GEL file for this version? I'm hoping it might not have the 8V OVP limit bug that shows up when selecting the 15 ohm range while in CR mode.

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 06:56:40 am
content: Quote from: MotoDan on September 26, 2017, 10:20:52 pmI think I have one with .04 somewhere in the number. I will have a look for it later today.

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 02:48:27 pm
content: Found it. It is version 00.01.00.04.10, but the filename is missing a .00. It is still available at Rigol, even though the link to it may be gone. Grab it here:http://int.rigol.com/File/ModelSoftWare/20170604/DL3000%20Firmware_00.01.04.10.rar

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 04:58:49 pm
content: Thanks for the link Svuppe. Unfortunately that firmware also has the same 8V OVP issue. Wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem?

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2017, 01:51:19 pm
content: Got my hands on a DL3021 yesterday and was able to compare it to my Maynuo 9712. Initially I started experimenting just with a multimeter in diode test mode at its terminals. Immediately I found some severe shortcomings that shouldn´t happen to an experienced test equipment manufacturer, especially since already two firmware updates had been released:In constant current mode, the output wouldn't switch off if you select it to via the on/off button, as long as the input current is approx. less than 5mA. A further investigations shows that this relates to zero current being displayed on the DL3021´s panel to be flowing in the external circuit. In this case, the instrument wouldn't switch off the passbank transistors. Since the instrument´s current measurement deadband is considerable at 3...5mA, you may end up connecting the device in "off load" mode to a circuit while the passbank is at a dead short. So far, i didn´t check how much current will flow upon connecting a powerful source and how long it will take the instrument to open the passbank and if it makes any difference, regarding the round about 4µF of capacitance across the DL3021´s input terminals that need to be charged. But anyway, I think this bug is an absolute no-go, off means off, regardless of the amount of external current flowing. I guess this can probably be addressed by a firmware update. Accuracy-wise in the low current ranges, the Maynuo wins against the Rigol hands-down. I wonder who came up with that brilliant idea to use a 500µOhms shunt resistor on that instrument...Yet, as long as "macroscopic" currents are flowing, the load appears to work as it should (as far as I can tell).Edit: What I really like about the load is the user interface (excluded the catastrophic front panel design). Configuring dynamic patterns is a no-brainer due to the elaborate graphic templates. Also, the current/voltage graph is a nice gimmick, yet I would have liked both current and voltage graph displayed contemporary in different colours on the same screen. Actually, that might be added in future via firmware update. Also, the choice to trigger the graph display properly would be a big plus (either by voltage or current)What I don´t understand at all is that Rigol doesn´t appear to offer the user to chose which parameter (s)he wants to vary in tinuous mode: As far as I cunderstood (I hope I´m wrong...), only current can be varied, neither voltage, resistance or power? Bummer! Rigol, I'm expecting a substantial firmware update. Along with the add-ons in battery test mode requested by contributors before.In its current condition, I wouldn´t recommend to purchase the DL30XX. It´s got potential, no doubt, but this requires still a lot of initiative by Rigol, preferably in close contact with first-hour users of the instrument. If Rigol gets all these issues sorted, the DL30XX can turn into the "killer-load" and dominate the main stream market in this power class. But it´s still a considerable way to go I would say.Cheers,Tom

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2017, 10:40:02 am
content: Hi Tom,could you do some dynamic measurements to compare it with the Maynuo (as in the pictures shown in the post below)?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1023-rigol-dl3021-electronic-load-teardown/msg1316074/#msg1316074

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2017, 07:36:34 pm
content: I´ll do my best but unfortunately that won´t happen before next weekend when I´ll again have access to the load.Cheers,Tom

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2017, 07:05:23 pm
content: TurboTom,I also have a new DL3021A load and am very disappointed with it. This is the higher priced unit which has the high resolution option as well as a color display. As you stated, if you are using it in a simple constant current mode at relatively high currents it seems to work OK. It has an issue with the constant resistance mode where it will throw up an over voltage protection fault when trying to select the 15 ohm range with a DC load over 8.0 VDC. The resolution is terrible (erratic) for the lower level loads. The unit will also not apply a load of less than about 4ma. I'm still waiting for a firmware fix for the OVP problem, but am probably going to have to return the unit as it is just not able to meet my initial (and basic) needs in its current state. I agree that the DL3000 series loads have the potential to be a really great piece of gear, however my guess is that it will take more than some code changes to get there. Might want to wait for the "B" models!

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2017, 07:06:59 pm
content: Now I'm really glad I didnt buy it.I will probably go for the Maynuo M9710.

author: tzanetos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 04:10:14 am
content: Rigol has released a new firmware update.https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/dl3000/[Updated Contents]v00.01.01.00.09 2017-08-014- Optimize the waveform adjustment mode for Roll and Fast modes- Optimize Roll and Fast mode screenshots to support saved CSV format files- Roll mode to supports the waveform playback function- Roll mode to supports the waveform record function- Fast mode supports the selection of voltage and current curves- Support CC+CV function- Battery mode support W.H units- List mode show the results of the last loop after the run completes- List mode support the recording and playback function ( Thumb drive), save the measurement results of each cycle, save the file format to CSV- The SCPI command increases the waveform mode adjustment and the readback command of the waveform dataIt seems the two big problems are still:1) The hot regulator/heatsink2) The noisy loading which wasn't addressed by Dave, but shown by one of the forum members.Are there any comparable programmable loads on the market in the same price range?

author: schopi68
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2017, 08:23:40 am
content: Oh... thats interesting to see. On their website Rigol claims "Calibration Certificate included". The load i got one month ago had been shipped without a calibration certificate.

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2017, 10:46:12 am
content: Hello, sorry if I couldn't post before but I was on a biz tripWe have checked the units in our stock and here is what is included. It seems the certificates are inside.

author: MotoDan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2017, 05:15:15 pm
content: Had to give up on Rigol trying to address the problems with the DL3021A within my 30 day return period. Time to move on to a DC load that is ready for use. Maybe the DL3000 series loads will be better with some future code and hardware changes that address the unit's shortcomings.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2017, 09:23:50 pm
content: ...did some more testing of the DL3021 last weekend and as MotoDan reported, the instrument should probably have undergone some more testing at Rigol´s labs before being released to the public.Here´s the setup I used:Basically I stacked a lot of Rigol gear on the bench (Power supply @ 20V / 10.5A, Oscilloscope, MOSFET switch, function generator to provide a square wave gate drive to the MOSFET @ 2kHz) and added my Maynuo load as a "spacer" to compensate for my venerable Tek P6042 current probe.The current probe is connected to trace 2 (the cyan one) of the scope while trace 1 (yellow) displays voltage at the load terminals or across the MOSFET (as shown in the video further down).I started testing the load at low currents and especially kept an eye on manual on/off behavior and automatic toggling. Here´s what I found:Manual on @ 100mA - a lot of "bouncing" and quite high initial current @ almost 1.4A. See below with a different time base.Once the average current has stabilized, there´s a residual oscillatioin of 50mApp @ 4.7kHz:If the load is toggling the current internally, the overshoot gets a little better but the oscillation is still there. Once again CC 100mA , first toggle frequency 100Hz and directly below 1kHz:After this, I checked the performance of the constant voltage mode (CV), adjusted the load to 10V and the PSU to 12v and connected an 18Ohms resistor in between (like a classic zener diode circuit). The speed the DL3021 needed to settle is more than disappointing. It appears the load is emulation this mode with the passbank still in current mode while the digital circuitry slowly adjusts the current to provide the proper voltage drop. It takes round about 2.5 seconds for the voltage to finally settle. Unfortunately i forgot to cross-check this with the Maynuo load:After that some more constant current testing at higher settings was due. 10A CC manual on:The small spikes that start approx. 5ms before the current rises indicate the instance I pressed the "Load On" button. Rigol, WHY??!Now I tested some fast internal toggling @ 10A, frequencies in sequence 1kHz, 5kHz and 10kHz:The optimist´s comment would be "at 1kHz it looks half-way okay..."Rising and falling edges @ 10A and 100Hz internal toggling:After that, I started what I expected to get ugly: Switching the current to the load externally with the MOSFET. Since the source of the MOSFET had to be ground-referenced via the square wave generator, I couldn´t probe the voltage across the load anymore (actually I could have by wiring the load at the FET´s source and probing at its negative terminal and inverting the channel on the scope but I didn´t consider this at the time...was somewhat in a hurry) so the voltage across the MOSFET is displayed. Setting was 1A CC, low frequency (about 10Hz) recorded at two different time basesI guess the inrush current is much higher than the 23A displayed here due to saturation effects of the TEK current probe.BTW, the Maynuo load doesn´t perform much better in this test (no screenshots available).Things don´t change at higher frequencies, here 1A CC, 1kHz externally switched:At higher currents the load appears to perform slightly better, here 10A at 2kHz are shown. But still no stellar performance.Finally, I left the load running in CC mode, externally switched by the MOSFET and continuously varied the current setting. Now some very strange things happened, see here:http://www.turbinemuseum.de/files/DL3021/DL3021-Test1.mp4It seems the DL3021 (can´t tell for the other versions but I assume they perform likewise) is designed for rather high power applications and somewhat fails at the low settings. It appears only the constant current mode is implemented in hardware and CV (didn´t test for CR and CP modes yet) is a software-controlled function that shows a very slow reaction to input changes. This also explains why Rigol only implemented the internal sequencing/toggling functions for CC mode. If this is true, I doubt that a firmware upgrade could change this. Considering all these shortcomings, a return-option in case of a purchase should be well considered unless the owner relly needs the load only for rather slow high-power testing.Cheers,Thomas

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2017, 11:32:22 pm
content: Sorry for the direct follow-up, but I just had to do some more testing of the load and unfortunately - though not unexpected - things get even worse:I had a closer look at the dynamic behavior of CV, CP and CR modes. This time I also did some more measurements on my Maynuo M9712 load for comparison. My setup is basically the same that I used in my previous contribution, I only wired the voltage probe so it displays the voltage across the load this time.So let´s start with the Maynuo which more or less performs as expected:Here's the CV mode at 50Hz external switching frequency, 18R series resistance with the power supply:And the same thing at a different timebase setting:The voltage settles at somewhere between 2.5ms and 4ms. Not particularly fast but that´s probably what one could expect from an "el-cheapo" electronic load. Usable at least...I then changed the load to constant power mode (CP) at 10W, 50Hz, once again two different timebase settings:The behavior is not perfect, it takes the load some 350µs to recognize that there´s a voltage present and to cut down the current/raise the resistance of the passbank but then it settles pretty quickly at the expected figures. Once again, no real reason to complain considering the price.Finally the last test with the Maynuo in CR mode, 20Ohms selected and once again externally cycled at 50Hz:What else can I wish for - the proper current is flowing 600µs after the external voltage has been applied. Virtually no droop or whatever can be observed. Well done, Maynuo!After these tests, the DL3021 was due, and what should I say -- in some cases, I cannot even interpret my findings. In general it seems that Rigol ATTEMPTED some "adaptive" parameter matching but I would say there´s still a considerable distance of road for Rigol to travel in order to come up with a useful result. I tried to duplicate the tests I did with the Maynuo M9712 load before but it turned out that in most cases, the frequency setting of the externally applied power that I used for the Maynuo was just too much for the DL3021. So here we go, first test CV mode @ 10V, 18Ohms in series, 1Hz at two timebase settings:The load needs some 200ms to settle within 5% of the selected voltage. It´s quite curious that the slope doesn´t seem to be an expenential decay but it rather seems to take much longer in the end to actually reach the preset voltage level. The 1Hz period of the externally applied signal doesn´t suffice to achieve that.During the next test, things turned out really awkward -- in CP mode (10W), I found the load not to reach any steady condition if I toggled the external supply with 50Hz:The load kept on modulating the power drawn at a slow pace. It seems the internal "optimization" routine was completely overtaxed. But things turned out even worse in the consequent test: I changed the external toggle frequency to 1Hz in order to permit more time to for the load to catch up -- which may not have been a good idea: After several seconds of operation in a rather unstable manner, the load shut itself down with an error message similar to "Overcurrent detected, input shut down" or the like (don´t remeber the phrase exactly). At least here´s a screen shot of the things going on:Hint: Don´t take the current displayed before shutdown to be correct -- it´s well possible that my current probe was satuated by the current drawn by the load that was much higher than that. This may also correlate with the warning message on the screen of the load.Finally, here´s an enlarged sceen shot at the load´s input. Why did it change the current to 1.6Amps after it adjusted to the proper current (0.5A) initially?And here we are with Rigol´s CR mode, crap as well... (sorry, tried to stay neutral but getting disappointed more an more...). Load adjusted to 20 Ohms and externally toggled at 1Hz. Funny thing is the current "approximates" to (almost) the final value of 1A over several periods (something like 25...50) and then suddenly settles at the proper value and stays there (as far as I can tell) as long as the load isn´t switched off:Funny thing, at 50Hz toggle frequency this won´t work -- the modulation continues until I was tired to wait any more:And the final test @ 10Hz showed the settling again, yet with considerable overshoot in between. It also took the load a considerable time to reach that "steady-state" that´s visible at the right of the screenshot:If you now ask me about my opinion regarding this instrument, I'ld put it like that:If Rigol was a car manufacturer that´s only half-way respecting themselves, they should call back ALL of their DL3021 (probably all of the DL3000 series) loads sold so far and refund their customers in full, regardless of their distributor´s offerings. This product isn´t up to meet the market yet. If Rigol doesn´t act like that, flush them down the drain. They have got quite some acceptable equipment but this load is not ripe to be supplied to the public. It´s a shame to have their customers doing the job their "alpha-testing department" should have done. I sincerely hope someone who´s got some authority at Rigol reads these lines and provokes corrective actions. I´m almost certain that the shortcomings of the load cannot be all corrected by a software update but rather need a revised hardware.I defintely recommend not to spend the money on that load - the internal features don´t differ too much from the aesthetics of the front panel -- unfortunately!Cheers,Thomas

author: nugglix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 08:16:32 am
content: Thanks for the testing done.Saved me some money.So going to look at the Maynuo...

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 05:30:38 pm
content: It seems Rigol is taking their new company slogan "Innovation or nothing" for real -- this time it was the latter

author: Rbastler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 05:40:01 pm
content: Glad I went for the Maynuo

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 07:47:34 pm
content: Thanks for all the tests, Thomas. Great job.This bit at the end pretty much sums it up: "the internal features don't differ too much from the aesthetics of the front panel."

author: purpose
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2017, 02:26:26 pm
content: I just found that I could wind my 3021 up to a 350W load... I would have thought it might have kicked me off way before then.I feel a population of the extra gizmos creep over me.

author: MTNELECTRONICS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 12:10:40 am
content: Quote from: purpose on November 06, 2017, 02:26:26 pmInteresting...how long until it blows?I noticed that on Dave's video you could see that on the 3021 it was allowing him to set the upper current limit to 60A. Can yours do that and actually turn on?

author: purpose
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 06:42:54 am
content: Twas only a very brief excursion, but only pulling seven and a half amps, or so.Currentlimitcan be set to 70A on mine, but can only be set to draw 41.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 07:45:52 pm
content: If anyone is interested: I have a Chroma load (6304 + 2 x 63006), would make a nice vid or post to compare the two. So, anyone that is reasonably close and wants to play around with the Chroma or wants to send in their Rigol for a week or two: ping me!

author: apoorv3in
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 12:04:07 pm
content: Have you tested with new firmware v00.01.02.00.02 2018-1-22Do you see any improvements.[Updated Contents]v00.01.02.00.02 2018-1-22- Modified the problems arising from load sinking while being powered on in CR and CP modes.- Optimized the overshoot value in CR mode.- Modified the record data: originally, the number of the waveform points less than 400 was recorded as 1000, now it is modified to be recorded as Null.- Added the Von function in the CR mode and supported Von Latch.- Added the cut-off function in the battery discharge mode- Added the SCPI commands for the Sense function.- Modified the Record function in data recording, capable of recording the four parameters (V, I, R, and P) simultaneously.- Modified the List function in data recording, capable of recording the two parameters (V and I) simultaneously.- Modified the List operating status error in the SCPI command.v00.01.01.00.09 2017-08-014- Optimize the waveform adjustment mode for Roll and Fast modes- Optimize Roll and Fast mode screenshots to support saved CSV format files- Roll mode to supports the waveform playback function- Roll mode to supports the waveform record function- Fast mode supports the selection of voltage and current curves- Support CC+CV function- Battery mode support W.H units- List mode show the results of the last loop after the run completes- List mode support the recording and playback function ( Thumb drive), save the measurement results of each cycle, save the file format to CSV- The SCPI command increases the waveform mode adjustment and the readback command of the waveform datav00.01.00.04.10 2017-04-24- Released the first version officially

author: smithnerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 02:36:41 pm
content: For those wondering, this seems to only be available from the Chinese version of the Rigol firmware page:http://www.rigol.com/Support/SoftDownload/3(replacing hostname 'int' with 'www' - the navigation layout is the same, more or less).Quote from: apoorv3in on February 15, 2018, 12:04:07 pm

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 10:05:51 pm
content: I blew up my Maynuo M9711 a few days ago, accidentally slapping -15V at 1A from a four quadrant power supply I've been working on was enough to do that: nothing obviously wrong inside, but I don't have the time right now to debug it. Note to self, place a high current schottky across the load's terminals.So as a replacement, I just received a DL3021A from MCS Test who are currently offering 10% off items in stock over £400. Next day UK shipping was free. (https://www.rigolonline.co.uk/collections/dc-power-supplies/products/rigol-dl3021a-programmable-dc-electronic-load). I won't deny it, the 10% off did push me to the DL3021A, I was going to get the DL3021 and purchase the hires option separately. I don't need 40A, I rarely go above 1 or 2A for my testing!Anyway, after updating the firmware and having a couple of hours with it I fully concur with TurboTom's post here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-dc-load-d3000-series/msg1318288/#msg1318288A lot of my work is at the milliamp range, and the current offset, which drifts over time, varies on my example from about 6.5mA to 9mA. The Maynuo also had current accuracy problems at the low end, but not to quite this extent, frustratingly this was a key reason to try a different model: a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire. There are also plenty of software niggles, for example I was trying to a simple 1A on/off cycle but there was a residual 32mA when the load was meant to be off, certainly a software feature. So I guess it's back to a Mosfet and signal generator for this test.The Maynuo I had only had TTL remote control, so I built myself an FTDI converter, which was OK, but frankly I felt a bit cheapskated that they'd put a DB9 on the back, but only offered TTL levels.As TurboTom suggests, the UI is far easier to navigate compared to the Maynuo. Having sense connections at the front is also a big plus.One further thing I hated about the Maynuo on my example was the rotary encoder that was all over the place, it skipped, advanced and decremented, but not necessarily the way you wanted it to, hardly the best for an electronic load. The DL3021A is much better in this regard.Thing is, the 0.1uA resolution is rendered useless due to the drift and offset. In the short term, once you've negated the offset, the linearity is about 1% between 20mA and 120mA displayed (12.7mA to 113.5mA actual). As the offset drifts, I'd doubt it's fixable in software. The voltage readout is reasonably accurate, 0.3mV off at 5V at 100mA, with or without the external 4 wire measurement (checked with a calibrated HP 34401A).All in all rather frustrated by the offset, drift and software bugs, but the UI is certainly a significant improvement over the Maynuo.

author: apoorv3in
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 02:15:01 am
content: My rigol dl3021 keeps crashing in CR mode. The load will stop randomly after which i have to toggle the output again. This issue is more persistant with the rate of input switching. I have installed the latest firmware.

author: sstepane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 09:44:13 am
content: Hi,I'm too having some problems with CR mode. Tried support - no luck, they just remain silent and after some time simply close the case. So there is no Rigol support whatsoever. Quite angry -is it hard to reply? Not going to buy any other Rigol equipment.

author: Synthtech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 10:09:52 am
content: After looking at the comprehensive oscilloscope screen shots above I can see why testing needs to be done to check the transient response of the load during power-up of the load unit and during application of the input current to the load. One question that comes to mind for me is that the Rigol and Maynuo units are sold as DC electronic loads. Isn’t it outside the spec of the units to be applying square waves pulse trains to the inputs?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 10:19:41 am
content: DC load means it should be used for testing of DC power supplies... And testing can be with static current, voltage, power, or resistance... But one of the tests is PSU behawiour on dynamic, fast changing load. It reveals dynamic response of psu..

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 07:11:54 pm
content: DC isthe unidirectional flow of electric charge. Therefore, a square wave (or pulse train) that varies in voltage without changing sign is DC.Of course, a particular DC load may or may not be able to handle certain forms of DC, which should be defined in its specs.

author: Worsdier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2018, 01:46:04 pm
content: Firmware v00.01.01.00.09 added Wh measurements to the battery test program, can someone confirm that it's also possible to select a stop value in Wh? In other words, can I enter a Wh value to discharge before stopping the test, similar to what C_Stop does in Ah.

author: joad
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 20, 2018, 01:10:59 pm
content: Hi, I can't find a way to enter a stop value in Wh, I'm using firmware v00.01.02.00.02.

author: Worsdier
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2018, 01:13:59 pm
content: Quote from: joad on May 20, 2018, 01:10:59 pmThanks, I guess there is no W-Stop function.

author: MilkmanCDN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 02:16:04 am
content: Quote from: H.O on September 05, 2017, 10:11:27 amThis! I've been looking everywhere for an e-load with an LXi interface. So far, I've found three:- Rigol DL3021A -https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/dl3000/- Kikusui PLZ-5W Series (Very expensive >$5K US) -http://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/product/detail.php?IdFamily=0141- TTi LD400P (Also expensive >$1.5K US) -https://www.aimtti.com/product-category/electronic-loads/aim-ld400seriesI ordered a Rigol and will pick it up in a few days. My goal has always been to automate SMPS efficiency measurements as it's something that I often have to do. Performing these manually, especially at different operating points, is painful.

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 01:01:52 am
content: I seem to be having problems using the SCPI commands below.The response I get is command error.I have tried variations on the command with no joy. Anyone got one of these hooked up to their network by any chance and can check if the command works.I have no issues querying Volts, Power, watts etc, just the discharge time.:FETCh:DISChargingTime?:MEASure:DISChargingTime?Syntax :FETCh:DISChargingTime?:MEASure:DISChargingTime?Description Reads the discharge time of the battery.ReturnFormatThe query returns a real number

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 11, 2018, 03:32:54 am
content: The solution turns out to be :MEAS:DISCT if any one else is having issues with :MEASure:DISChargingTime?Now if I could just get *RST to work.Thing also locks up regularly. Not the most stable piece of test equipment.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2018, 04:13:43 am
content: With SCPI commands, the capitalized letters in a command keyword indicate the abbreviated form of the command (i.e., by omitting the lowercase ones). Hence,MEASure:DISChargingTime is the same asMEAS:DISCT. The capitalization is only for documentation purposes. Sending MEAS:DISCT is the same as Meas:discT or meas:disct (if it's implemented correctly, of course).Having a required (capitalized) letter in the middle of a command keyword is rather odd and I would consider it very poor form (if not down right incorrect). It's not surprising that it causes confusion. It's as if someone at Rigol got a bit confused between the SCPI naming convention for command keywords and that of variables in a programming language such as C++, Java, etcetera, when coming up with their command set.

author: maxspb69
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2019, 05:53:46 pm
content: Does the new firmware v00.01.04.00.05 fix the problems described above at least partially? Has anyone tested?

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2019, 08:06:34 am
content: Quote from: maxspb69 on April 25, 2019, 05:53:46 pmWhere can this new version be found? I haven't been able to locate it anywhere.

author: maxspb69
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2019, 03:10:42 pm
content: https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/dl3000/

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 08:16:57 am
content: Does anyone know about the existence of "software" for hack options in Dummy Load DLxxxx?

author: maukka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2019, 08:18:35 am
content: Thehack for the DP series PSUsshould work for theloadsas well.

author: apoorv3in
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2019, 05:05:57 am
content: Rigol DL3021 fully unlocked to DL3021A with color screenAlso DP832 fully hacked to DP832A with color screenformat usb drive to FATextract the keyfile.zip to usb drive and run SCPI command:PROJ:SET MODEL,DL3021Amore detailshttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/need-help-hacking-dp832-for-multicolour-option/100/

author: joad
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 10:05:47 am
content: Interesting,I tried this on my DL3021 and it worked as aspected. Thanks to all of u that made this possible.But is there anyone how knows how to calibrate the DL3000. I fond the calibration procedure for the DP832 her on EEVblog so I'm hoping that someone has the information for the DL3000.

author: Svuppe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 02:54:22 pm
content: I also tried this on my DL3021, and I failed over and over again.After much swearing, I tried to reformat my flashdrive with a sector size of 64KB (default was 16KB). And then it worked.

author: BLF Lexel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 03:20:04 pm
content: I also used another program to do the hackI have not tested it but with proper USB drivers you can do it without LANI used the Rigol Bildschirmkopie Tool to do so, but CMD works as well with telnethttp://peter.dreisiebner.at/rigol-bildschirmkopie/index.htmI tried Bildschirmkopie only via Network, maybe someone makes it work with USB, but this needs correct IVI drivers to send commandsStep 1Activate Telnet in your windows features and restart PCStep 2connect the function generator to the networkcheck if connection is good with pingalso a firewall may cause problems even with ping working, the DG1022Z I could only get sent SCPI commands on a very old standalone PC in my basement shopstep 3get a FAT formatted USB stick and write the keyfile.bin in the main directoryhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/need-help-hacking-dp832-for-multicolour-option/?action=dlattach;attach=696567Step 4 with Bildschirmkopie- start it- ctrl+E to do a search on the network and connect the Rigol device- search for devices and choose the one you want to unlock- open SCPI commands- check device signature- send SCPI command with new Model name- reboot device and check again device signature

author: Wintel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 07:28:56 pm
content: Can hack the DC Load DL3021 to DL3031A? Like the DG811 to DG992?

author: Bibbbi
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 03, 2019, 06:16:47 am
content: Rigol DL3021, DL3021A, DL3031, DL3031A latest FirmwareChangelog:QuoteDownload:DL3000 Firmware_00.01.04.zip (2.3MB)Code:https://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/ct/1579/p-00ac/Bct/-/-/ct50_0/1?sid=TV2%3AQ2jKaGpUj

author: drummerdimitri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 10:21:23 pm
content: Does anyone know if Rigol added the possibility of pulling energy from the battery app other than in CC mode for the DL3031A?

author: MrFox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2019, 08:45:59 pm
content: Quote from: drummerdimitri on September 04, 2019, 10:21:23 pmThey didn't in the latest firmware.I wouldn't expect it. They do solve the bugs over time, but rarely add features.

author: MrFox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2019, 08:49:15 pm
content: Is there a way to do a manual calibration like the DP800 ?I haven't found anything in the menu or the manual.

author: maxspb69
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2019, 08:45:41 am
content: Use info from this file:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/lists-of-rigol-scpi-commands/?action=dlattach;attach=754317Try calibrate it by SCPI commands.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2019, 08:46:56 pm
content: Just for the record:Rigol DL3000 option licenses are different from all previous Rigol equipments. They don't use ECC and use only a cascade of CRC-16s.When you change the models to the "-A" versions, all the 7 options get officially activated and no license is needed.Rigol DL3000 S/N: DL3A123456789Official License Trial License (2160 min)DL3-LAN LZKG2RLWYL7N4XVTTDUKK83R9TZT L34EWCRF9L7NDUNUFSSE7HAW7QPZDL3-DIGITAL-IO UUQU62UJEL7NF7QUWRSD82KP74KF 66EZYHPWMK7NDC7YAE3LNBN9YRTJDL3-HIRES 8LXCTCM9HL7N7EDR5GXDD68XVSW7 B32T7R3J8L7NSTGWKFHXHQZLSP4EDL3-RIPPLE MSGWQHXPQK7NEZNW8WU7ZGYT54MR M5WD32HHKK7NLAQRVQ5ZE8P9TTWKDL3-REST EL7NM66XUL7NRXD9GXZ9V3BLPWZV VY85FMJTFL7NURJ7YCSTY5NQM4EVDL3-SlewRate E4T9HP54EL7NY2T7ZP5PRSFFXFHS FUFHZSEDTK7NVCT8QUSDP9SKWV66DL3-Freq KSCLAMYZZK7NTHE2LAD7QL8ZLPMP UDG7J6P3EL7NBN844ZR73MJ9EL3RBTW, the FW contains these Model Types:00 - DL3021 03 - DL3021A01 - DL3031 04 - DL3031A02 - DL3051 05 - DL3051A<- it seems this line hasn't seen the light of day

author: idolclub
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2019, 09:38:06 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on September 26, 2019, 08:46:56 pmWill release new firmware and two new license "DL3-RIPPLE" and "DL3-REST" ?

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2019, 10:05:31 am
content: Quote from: idolclub on September 26, 2019, 09:38:06 pmThe current FW already contains these Options:DL3-LAN LAN InterfaceDL3-DIGITAL-IO Digital I/O InterfaceDL3-HIRES High Readback ResolutionDL3-RIPPLE RippleDL3-REST Transient Recovery TimeDL3-SlewRate High Slew RateDL3-Freq High FrequencyDefinitions visible inside the FW:Ripple:This function is an option. It is measured over a specified bandwidth, with all influence and control quantities maintained constant.Transient Recovery Time:This function is an option. It refers to the time required for the output voltage of a power supply to return to within a level approximating the normal dc output following a sudden change in load current.

author: madsci1016
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 02:51:41 pm
content: Has anyone flashed the new firmware (1.04 / 1.05) and then tried the battery discharge app? The new firmware broke that feature for me, load wont go above 0.1A regardless of settings. I found 1.02 firmware hosted online and rolled it back, and suddenly it works fine again.Curious to see if anyone can replicate that or if it's just mine.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2021, 08:37:46 am
content: Quote from: madsci1016 on June 06, 2021, 02:51:41 pmIssue of load current in battery app mode exists, seerigol-dl3021a-current-failing-to-load-consistently-in-battery-modeTemporary solution is to press ON/OFF few times (as the bug is random) or adjust set current afterwards slightly.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2021, 08:52:14 am
content: Other bugs & UI annoyances with Rigol DL3000:bug - pressing "SHORT" button while load is ON seems to momentarily producelower (!!!)load current. Load current should only increase if "SHORT" is pressedUI bug - pressing almost any button on front panel turns a load off for no reason. It should not be so. Just a few examples:press CC button in CC mode, load turns off. Should not do that, illogicalpress any other mode button in CC mode, load turns off. Illogical behavior. It should work like this: press different mode button once - create a prompt "Do you want to exit current CC mode?", press different mode button second time - turn off load & go to different modegraph mode - many UI quirks which makes it annoying to use and severely limits functionality. Mainly because graph resets (becomes empty) during any change and doesn't remember any setting or data. This can be improved without changing core functions..Is there Rigol support on EEVblog forum? Where to report such issues to Rigol?

author: mrprecision
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 07:37:10 pm
content: Hello,I have a question regarding the reverse protection. If on the sense lead occurs a polarity error, the load shows an error. I I don't use the sense leads, and connect a laboratory power supply with wrong polarity to the load inputs, there is a high current flowing. Is this a correct or what should be happen in that case?Manual:Quote

author: 0xFFF0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 04:35:16 pm
content: Sorry for nagging again. What do you need electronic loads for? I never understood that. If I'm a power supply manufacturer, okay.

author: mrprecision
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 04:35:51 pm
content: I have got an answer from Rigol:QuoteThanks for the Rigol support!

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2021, 04:46:03 pm
content: Quote from: 0xFFF0 on August 27, 2021, 04:35:16 pmYou are aware that most electronic includes a power supply om some sort? With a load you can test that power supply (including cooling) before the rest of the circuit is ready or without having to drive the circuit into the extremes to check that the power supply can handle it.It can also be used to test batteries.Another possibility is to turn any power supply into a constant current source.In my opinion it is a very useful type of equipment and luckily it is also fairly cheap.

author: sugenk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 10, 2021, 09:18:07 am
content: Quote from: madsci1016 on June 06, 2021, 02:51:41 pmHi all,I had DL3031A, the HW version 01.00Already flash the new firmware 00.01.05 and this bug is also happened. Sometimes, the load is wont run. Then need to power off and on again to start normally. Do you have link for old firmware 1.02 ?Today I just join the forum, to ask help for fixing the PS protection. The INPUT is not working at all. Checking by SCPI commandCode:-> *TST?<- (Return Count:100)OppRef:FAILED,VmonTrig:FAILED,ImonTrig:FAILED,OcpRef:FAILED,OvpRef:FAILED,Temp1:FAILED,Temp2:FAILED-> :STAT:OPER:COND?<- (Return Count:5)8192Think I got big trouble, cause the device is not working right now, since there is no opertion manual to clear this PS protection.note of DL3000 programming guide in page 1-7, SCPI Status Register, opertion condition is 8192 --> PS :Protection Shutdown. When overcurrent, overpower, or overtemperature occurred, the load's input is turned off (protection shutdown).

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 01:08:35 pm
content: Hi,I saw that Jerry Walker solved some rebooting issues on RIGOL DP832 power supply. He tracked it down to unstable 4.2V supply for pretty complex processor due to insufficient decoupling - ripple was massive 1-2V P-P. Additional caps solved the issue. 5V regulator overheating due to small heatsink turned out to be secondary issue.Source:Rigol DP832 Repair Part3(see parts 4&5 for more detail)Now, RIGOL DL3000 DC load uses the same processor as DP832 (see screen shots fromEEVblog #511 - Rigol DP832 Power Supply TeardownandEEVblog #1023 - Rigol DL3021 Electronic Load Teardown) It also should have 4.2V rail which is important for regulation.Can anyone with DL3000 check 4.2V rail for ripple just to be sure?

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 04:01:18 pm
content: Forum member confirmed that all models of DL3000 range share the same HW and can be simply hacked to top version (dl3021-to-dl3031-conversion-discussion)

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 04:01:42 am
content: Quote from: 0xFFF0 on August 27, 2021, 04:35:16 pmAs has been mentioned, testing batteries a PSU's.I recently plotted my fully charged mobile phone battery and could clearly see that the battery was at 1/3 capacity so I could eliminate the phone as the cause of poor battery performance. I tested the phone and observed startup currents in excess of 1.4amps!!! and thought the phone was suspect so tested the battery.I regularly test 7Ah batteries that maybe used in UPS's, it removes the guess work.We use it to test PSU's after repair. However, it seems that DC loads behave strange when testing PSUs for power up load tests. Seems we have to resort to resistive loads for those tests. I think the DC load takes to long to respond and the PSU sees it as excessive current so goes into shutdown

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2022, 02:52:56 pm
content: Wow, you're kidding. DL3031A for the price of a DL3021!? Well that's all I needed to hear Im in!

author: ganevson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 03:41:51 pm
content: Hello colleagues.My Christmas present was DL3021. I bought it to supplement my laboratory with the range of instruments. At first glance it looks good. The fan needs smart control. It does not need to work when the device is cold.But I was very disappointed by the extremely underdeveloped computer software. I ask the engineers to work on this issue. I have the feeling that this product was created by students. This is my first contact with Rigol products. The graph on the DL3021 display cannot monitor more than one value at the same time. There is no measurement of the internal resistance of batteries. When I load switching power supplies, I want to know the limit current but also the power with one measurement. For this purpose, in Rigol I have to do a test separately for amperage and separately for watts. I have no indication of how many volts the power supply was at when the OCP and OPP test was completed. There is much to be desired from the device.Cheap Chinese products like DL24MP have a richer set of tools and parameters and cost under 50usd.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 05:08:47 pm
content: Quote from: ganevson on January 12, 2025, 03:41:51 pmDownload TestController and try it on the load, it has considerable more functionality.Thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/Download (Bottom of page):https://lygte-info.dk/project/TestControllerIntro%20UK.html

author: ganevson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 06:27:44 pm
content: Sorry my friend. I don't have COM on my computer and I can't connect it.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2025, 06:48:49 pm
content: Quote from: ganevson on January 12, 2025, 06:27:44 pmThen try a LAN connection, it is called socket or LXI in TestController (They are not the same, but both uses LAN).

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 09:04:27 pm
content: A com can be easily created with a cheap USB to SERIAL converter

author: ganevson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 09:08:43 pm
content: HKJ Thanks. All wotking perfectly

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 06:55:07 pm
content: Be very careful with SHORT button on DL3000 - configuration setting is misleading and display can show 0A with current flowing.SHORT function can be programmed to be TOGGLE/HOLD/disabled. TOGGLE/HOLD setting is back front (should be HOLD/TOGGLE instead).When load is ON, enabling SHORT will cause actual short circuit on terminals, display will show actual voltage at the inputs andactual currentdrawn.When load is OFF, enabling SHORT will cause actual short circuit on terminals, display will show actual voltage at the inputs and0A current.