Does a compact low power full featured lab supply exists? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Gabri74
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 09:25:20 am
content: Hi allI need e new power supply for my lab. I'm an embedded/firmware developer, so I almost work with prototypes/sdk board which use really low power (1A max).I'm really space constrained on my lab, so I'm looking for a really compact 2 or 3 channels supply. Price is not the major concern.Basically what I'm looking for is something like the Siglent SPD3303X-E or this Rigol DB832 but I don't need so much power. Also the weight is a factor for me, because I often need to rearrange things on my desk and to bring it with me when I go to a client.It doesn't need it to be linear, switching will work if it has a low ripple/clean enough output.After a day googling I couldn't find anything better/lighter than the Siglent...As a last resort I could try to use a couple of those RD6006 in a custom enclosure with a power brick... but I need something more polished...Any ideas ?(PS: posted same question on r/AskElectronics, will update if anything interesting will show up)

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 09:36:45 am
content: We have a few of these at workhttps://www.keysight.com/gb/en/products/dc-power-supplies/bench-power-supplies/e36100-series-bench-power-supply-30-40w.htmlThat front panel is only about 100x100mm

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 10:43:40 am
content: In general, this PSU appears to be a nice little unit. But since I've fallen into this pit myself once, lab gear with OLED displays is a no-go for me. These displays deteriorate without even being used. TFT anytime, but OLED-wise, I'm cured even though they may have undergone some improvement since I had my bad experience.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 10:56:07 am
content: OLED has improved quite a bit, sure they might get a bit of burnin still but so do VFD displays.The problem with making a compact high end PSU is that the best PSUs are linear and that brings with it a large transformer and large heatsinks.One of those chinese panel mount PSUs is likely your best bet. The fact that the mains to DC conversion is done before them does make them a lot more safe.(cheep Chinese stuff sometimes does dangerous things with mains voltage)

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 11:06:07 am
content: I would also highly recommend the E36100 Series Bench Power Supply from Keysight.You can stack easily 2 or 3 on top of each other and you get high quality, paired with a small footprint.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 11:35:51 am
content: Are these PSUs affected by therecently discussed "digit-jumping bug"? Could they possibly share the same Firmware platform? I'ld try to stay clear of that unit if it is, as long as Keysight doesn't provide a revised firmware.

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 11:50:39 am
content: Quote from: TurboTom on May 30, 2022, 11:35:51 amDunno, I've only used ours a couple of times as my bench has a TTI supply which is my go-to unless someone else is using it. I'll try to take a look if I get chance.Edit: I did look, and no they are not.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 11:58:30 am
content: I bought a GPP-4323 partly because of it's size (it's rather small for a 4-channel supply), and also because two of the channels can double as basic low-power electronic loads, potentially removing another piece of equipment from the bench. Not super light though, as it has a big toroidal transformer inside.The datasheet dimensions spec of 213(W)x 145(H) x 312(D) mm seems correct, and there's a pretty fair review here:https://www.electrobob.com/gpp-4323-power-supply-review/(basically it's not perfect, but pretty good for the size/price, though the price has gone up since I got mine).I've also heard good things about the Siglent, which is a similar size, albeit with only 2/3 channels and no load-mode, but at a cheaper price.There are plenty of really tiny switchmode bench supplies around as well, but they're normally single channel and I have no experience with them. Some of them also do not have an output enable/disable button, just the main power switch - avoid this sort!

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2022, 01:48:19 pm
content: Quote from: TurboTom on May 30, 2022, 11:35:51 amNo, these PSUs are reliable and have been for many years.

author: Gabri74
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2022, 05:22:20 pm
content: Other suggestions from r/AskReddit thread on the same topic:Owon SPE:https://www.owon.com.hk/list_programmable_dc_seriesMatsusada R3K-36https://www.matsusada.com/product/dcps/This is really nice but expensive

author: gdewitte
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2022, 05:29:28 pm
content: HP Models 6214A, 6216A, or 6218A from eBay?

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2022, 06:11:45 pm
content: Is Xantrex (Sorensen,Ametek?) Such ashttps://www.ebay.ca/itm/373902864987?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=706-159614-043509-9&mkcid=2&itemid=373902864987&targetid=4586269160971571&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=414169804&mkgroupid=1322713655057161&rlsatarget=pla-4586269160971571&abcId=9300552&merchantid=136822&msclkid=3356a4b438051a0caa89c6226fc801ffok?Usually they are a bit more expensive than that.

author: Gabri74
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 10:33:10 am
content: Thanks Gribo and gdewitte for the suggestions, but I need OVP and OCP

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 11:36:54 am
content: How about a Korad supply. I have a single channel one (Tenma branded) and it works great as my “portable” linear supply, especially for the price. It is linear though so weight could be an issue.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 12:53:09 pm
content: get on ebay and buy a bunch of E3610A / E3611A IF you must have OVP : E3614A / E3615Ayou can find these dirt cheap and they are rock solid.

author: lugaw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 05:00:04 pm
content: Try the Matsusada power supply, they are really tiny in real life and perform real good.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 05:31:51 pm
content: Quote from: lugaw on June 01, 2022, 05:00:04 pmI tried to find a price for those on the Internet and they all say "call us for a quote".Gophert have a reasonable reputation on EEVBLOG and they're cheap/small/light:https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=gophert+power+supply(crap name, I know)

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 07:30:01 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 01, 2022, 05:31:51 pm300 British Pounds new.https://www.radwell.co.uk/en-GB/Buy/MATSUSADA%20PRECISION%20INC/MATSUSADA%20PRECISION%20INC/RK-80/?redirect=true

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 07:36:32 pm
content: Quote from: Marco on June 01, 2022, 07:30:01 pmThat's some sort of robotic aggregation site.It says, "Last Value Update: 08/11/2018", ie. they probably never even sold one.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2022, 08:19:12 pm
content: I recommended thePeaktech 6225to someone without strict requirements and just needed some bench power to test a few things (model trains). It's cosy, but many people looking for a lab supply dislike switchmodes.The GW InstekGPP-4323is also a very versatile unit for it's size, but it does weigh 7.5kg and is a bit costly for beginners. It also measures itself very good, which is not always the case with lab supplies.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 05:52:51 am
content: Radwell is a "legitimate" store. I have purchased a few things from them on ebay. Their rating could be better, but I personally did not have any issues.

author: Anders Petersson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2022, 05:32:16 pm
content: I got a Rohde & Schwarz HMC8043. Three channels, 3A, 32V but max 33 W per channel.https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/dc-power-supplies/rs-hmc804x-dc-power-supply-series_63493-61542.htmlSwitching. Much smaller than linear supplies.I'm not in love with the interface but it has USB and LAN. Also sense lines via an odd connector in the back. Sense is useful when you want to deliver for example 500 mA at 3.3V and not at 3.0V due to voltage drops in connectors and thin wires. Sense can also compensate for the voltage drop across an amperemeter.It's however expensive.