Bench power supply under $150 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: JGAN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 12:29:18 am
content: I'm looking for a good bench power supply under $150, preferably even under $100. I found so many options on the internet from random Chinese companies that it is too hard to distinguish between what is good and what is dangerous. I will be primarily working below 10v and 3a, but if I can get up to 30v that would be a plus. Also I would like adjustment knobs instead of buttons, and a dedicated load on/off switch is preferred.I mainly concerned about ramp up transient spikes/overshoot when turning on the load with these Chinese bench supplies. I was looking at the Korad but after seeing Dave's review of it, I'm a little concerned about the quality. Has anybody tried it recently? What other good options are there for bench power supplies?

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 12:47:35 am
content: I suspect you must want new? I would rather put that amount into looking for a vintage HP or Power design or other industrial PS providers from the past. The quality and stability is so much better with professional equipment. But that's me.

author: JGAN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 01:05:01 am
content: Used is fine. I just haven't been able to find any digital HP power supplies on ebay when I check. What models should I look for though?

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 01:23:15 am
content: Quote from: JGAN on September 21, 2015, 01:05:01 amI got an HP 6653a for $150 and recently saw one go on eBay for under $100. Probably overkill, the the HP system power supplies run a huge range of voltage/current capability. They are really great buys and fantastic performance. I have beat mine up daily and as a bonus they have GPIB that I now use with LabView so I almost never use the panel.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 01:38:28 am
content: Take a look at myTP3005T Variable Linear DC Power Supplythread. Electro Fan has some nice data on the Tekpower TP1503C and dmmt40 has some good pictures of the Tekpower TP3005T and turn on responses.I was initially interested in the Tekpower but found this HP from my school days and had to have it.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 01:52:21 am
content: I am happy with this onehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/mini-review-tenma-72-8350a-small-footprint-bench-power-supply/Not perfect but compact, light and easy to use. It has a sibling product with 30V 3A or so.With some patient you can find a reasonably used HP power supply on ebay but I like the compactness of the Tenma.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 02:02:19 am
content: Unless you really, really need a digital display, power supplies with analog meters from HP, Power Designs, Lambda, etc. that were built in the 60's through the 80's can be had for $20-100. If you have a couple of bench or handheld digital multimeters, they'll show you what's coming out of the supply anyway. From the money you'd save, you could also pick up some of the inexpensive LED panel-mount volt/amp meters (some go to 5 digits) and hook them up to the supply to free up your DMM.It may or may not be a factor in your decision, but in addition to build quality and cost savings of buying older supplies, it's also a good thing to keep them out of the landfills. They're still good stuff that's worth using and highly repairable.

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 02:39:47 am
content: Quote from: JGAN on September 21, 2015, 12:29:18 amLook for the follow up videos. How Korad handled the problem is why I risked buying it's brand-new big brother. Which also had some teething problems thatKorad seems to be dealing with.

author: dadler
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 02:49:24 am
content: In this price range, I recommend a used HP supply, such as:http://www.ebay.com/itm/C119363-HP-6236B-Triple-Output-DC-Power-Supply-0-6V-0-2-5A-0-20V-0-0-5A-/331650742105?hash=item4d37ecb759

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 02:52:51 am
content: Quote from: dadler on September 21, 2015, 02:49:24 amPretty hard to argue with a supply like that for the money. He could also look for a deal on the more modern version the E3630A - they occasionally go for a deal.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 02:58:23 am
content: Yep, that's a nice one. Good general-purpose ranges and plenty of current. I have a 6200B and I like it a lot, especially with the switchable range on the voltmeter for low-voltage use.

author: promacjoe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 03:03:35 am
content: hello: new to the group. I have a BK 1601 power supply but needed a second power supply that could handle a little more current, and just to have around for dual voltage applications. I found this power supply, from a US seller,http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Power-Supply-30V-5A-110V-Precision-Variable-DC-Digital-Lab-w-clip-New-/311094084499but what I received was more like,http://www.ebay.com/itm/30V-5A-Precision-Variable-Adjustable-Digital-DC-Power-Supply-Regulated-Lab-Grade-/380937875451?hash=item58b1aaaffbbut Without the high low switch.The differences that this is a totally electronic Switching power supply. Instead of the transformer type power supply that I was expecting. I only had a few problems with it.1: The test leads that came with it was junk, I noticed that they were getting hot, even at low current. so I set my current to "0" and turn the voltage up. I then set the current to 1A and read the voltage. It was about 3.9V. So those leads went into the Junk box.2: the Building posts are very deep. If you don't have really good mating test leads , You will find they don't fit tight. Causing them to easily be pulled out. so I replaced them with proper building post.3: although acceptable for most of my projects, I found the noise level to be a bit high. About 40mV. I found that most all the noise could be eliminated using a choke, part number (ELF850M 50). which I had on hand, salvage from another power supply. This is a double choke, and a 470µF capacitor. When I opened the power supply, I found it had a large choke already. I may try to add a second winding to see if I can remove most of the noise.4: unfortunately it does not have a power output switch, Nor does it have a easy way to set the current without shorting out the leads. but that is something else that should be an easy fix.Other than that, the build quality looks pretty good. All wires were properly connected and grounded. He shrink insulation on all exposed wires. JST connectors Appropriately used. It also has a thermally controlled fan. And for the price, you can afford to do a little bit of upgrade to it.Hope this helps.PS, when you turn this power supply on, the output is delayed for a couple of seconds. And although I am using an older 100MHz analog scope, I don't see any major issues with voltage spikes. The voltage output seems to be very stable.

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2015, 05:40:55 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triple-output-0-30V-60V-5A-DC-Power-Supply-10A-GQ-two-channels-/260818432819?hash=item3cb9fd7333

author: JGAN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 08:55:30 pm
content: I'm still looking for an HP/Agilent that would fit my needs, but in the meantime these two power supplies are in my shopping cart:PPS2116AAKA Hantek PPS2116A, Quakko HY3005DP, Protek P6035Known to have problems on original models with a high output voltage on startup, but also it has a load on/off switch so I'm not sure how that is happening?Some known to have overshoot issues when changing voltages with the output load onIt's very small, would fit well on my workbenchKorad KA3005D$20 more expensiveM5 preset can be easily switched on accidentallyOvershoot when changing from high voltage to low voltageDoes anybody have any recent experience with these two models thought? All this information that I gleaned seems to be from 1-2 years ago.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 10:37:50 pm
content: Keep an eye out for used Agilent/Keysight U8001A/U8002A that meet your price point.There are also Amrel PPS series power supplies that pop in and out of your price range. No knobs, but programmable.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 10:41:29 pm
content: +1 for the Korad (mine doesn't have a M5 - that is used for "Lock")I have several DMMs that all read pretty close to one another to hundredths of a Volt and to thousandths of an Amp (mA); the Korad consistently agrees with the DMMs. It's probably not lab grade accurate but it maintains my confidence, and it is easy and enjoyable to use. I've observed various conditions with an oscilloscope - so far I haven't had any issues with overshoot.If you can order one from SRA Soldering (directly or via Amazon) you will find SRA provides good service and support.Having said all that, the PPS2116A looks pretty similar in terms of packaging and features - might be a fine PS too.Looks like you are on a good track either way. Let us know what you select and how it goes.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 12:05:06 am
content: Quote from: JGAN on September 26, 2015, 08:55:30 pmIf you are going to look at these, look at this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-E3610A-0-8V-0-3A-0-15V-0-2A-DC-Power-Supply-/131609844174?hash=item1ea48ed9ceHP E3610A. I have one and I like it. No output on/off switch but you can set a CC point and the pots are multiturn.