Electronic dc load tester recommendations?? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 03:59:00 pm
content: Looking for some recommendations on an electronic dc load tester for bench testing power supplies. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles but I want quality at the best price. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 04:39:41 pm
content: Used or new? Used: the Dynaload loads from Transistor Devices offer a lot of bang for your buck.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 04:44:12 pm
content: Like a lot of test equipment, there is a huge range of options - so you need to narrow your requirements down a bit.Voltage/Current/Power range?Programmable or data logging features?What have you looked at?

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 06:17:52 pm
content: Looking at the Rigol dl3021. 150v, 40a, 200w. More than I'm lookingTo pay though. I don't need a programmable one. Those are the right specs for me. If I could find a similar one without being programmable for a lesser price that would be good. Thanks.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 06:30:45 pm
content: The ones from Itech, Array, etc you can buy from Ebay are more affordable and work OK for general purpose DC load testing. Years ago I bought a bunch of Array 3710A loads. Nowadays they have newer models.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:10:18 pm
content: Quote from: wadmancpu on October 29, 2019, 06:17:52 pmHave you seen this one ?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sdl1000xsdl1000x-e-electronic-load/

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:28:12 pm
content: I just looked that up and it doesn't appear to be available in the US.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:30:34 pm
content: Quote from: wadmancpu on October 29, 2019, 07:28:12 pmSure is.https://siglentna.com/dc-electronic-load/sdl1000x/

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:35:56 pm
content: I can pickup an Itech it8512a for around $300, open box unit. How does this measure up to the Rigol dl3021? Would I be better off spending the extra $200?

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:37:52 pm
content: Nevermind, that's China.

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 07:40:21 pm
content: Looks like about the same price as the Rigol dl3021. $499 on that site.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 08:24:45 pm
content: Quote from: wadmancpu on October 29, 2019, 07:37:52 pmYep and here's the factory website:https://int.siglent.com/products-overview/sdl1000x/And hosted in the US...........Quote from: wadmancpu on October 29, 2019, 07:40:21 pmThat's Chinese too !You can get a bit off now you're a member by asking for the members discount here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/equipment-discounts-from-saelig/

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 08:44:29 pm
content: The Siglent is available from Saelig.http://www.saelig.com/TSTEQDC/sdl1020x-e.htmGet their EEVblog discount.The Rigol:http://www.saelig.com/TSTEQDC/dl3021.htm

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 09:06:20 pm
content: A Siglent review:

author: BillB
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 09:26:21 pm
content: I've got both the ITech 8511+ and the Siglent SDL1020X-E. If you don't need the bells and whistles, the Itech loads work well and the 150W 8511+ can be had for less than $350 (from China). The Siglent SDL-1020X-E 200W does add a lot of features and with a discount can probably be had for $450.The better display and network connectivity are worth the extra $100 to me, but if you aren't going to perform programming or remote automation with the load then the Itech is fine, too. (The ITech is SCPI programmable, but uses a serial interface)

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 12:51:00 am
content: So is the Siglent a better unit than the Rigol? How do I get the eev blog discount?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 01:07:53 am
content: Quote from: wadmancpu on October 30, 2019, 12:51:00 amAsk for it in this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/equipment-discounts-from-saelig/

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 01:49:58 am
content: So Siglent or Rigol....? I like the larger display the Rigol has. Any thoughts?

author: ahope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 06:08:46 am
content: I just got the Tenma 150wcdc load:https://uk.farnell.com/tenma/72-13200/dc-electronic-load-prog-30a-120v/dp/2848406Not as fancy as the Rigol or Siglent, but good quality, nice software, programmable, etc.It is a rebadged Korad KEL 102oh, and i almost forgot: It`s half the price of Rigol and Siglent.The siglent is a nice unit, but too deep to fit on my bench.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 07:45:51 am
content: The question is what do you expect from it with internal Accuracy and options for your $ ? Just how often do you think you will use or NEED it?I got one of these a while agohttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32822398014.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dJLpSCdand it is better than expected in use re accuracy but I tend to take measurements for Voltage and Current with better gear I have on hand rtather than rely on the numbers shown.I also got at the same time the baby version which apart from blowing a FET has worked great too.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32677950277.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dJLpSCdIn conjunction to these I also built a fairly precise 10 ohm set of 50W resistors that I can series parallel and use to load to 150+W and 30V if needed. This arrangement cost me well over the 180W Aliexpress option above but I like the idea of simple and passive because I am old

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 11:00:07 am
content: I also found this one.https://www.sra-solder.com/korad-kel-103-programmable-dc-electronic-load-300-watt-low-ripple

author: ahope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 11:10:38 am
content: Tenma is a rebadget Korad.I have had the time to try out my 102 (150 watt version of the 103 which is 300w, otherwise identical), and it works like a charm. I like it a lot, and it actually looks and feel better in real life than on the pictures and marketing materials.The software is also quite good, although PC only. It's a lot easier to program / configure using the apps rather than via the front panel.

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 03:09:02 pm
content: Thanks for the input. I'm thinking of going this route. The 103 is about $350 and its 300w vs the 200w rigol and siglent. Sounds like good quality. The Rigol and Siglent have some features I dont really need and this 103 seems perfect. Is Tenma/Korad kind os a middle of the road brand as far as quality goes?

author: genghisnico13
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 03:29:06 pm
content: if you want to add LAN/WIFI capabilities to one of the loads that only has a serial connection you can use Ser2Net running on a Raspberry with a serial USB adapter/RS232 transceiver, I use it on other equipment and it works really well. It was essentially free on my case because I already had a PI running other services in my house.

author: ahope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 07:42:00 pm
content: I have done some checking, and for me it seems Korad( or tenma ) is good quality. The focus seems to be on specs and quality, design and looks second.I also have a Korad power supply, and is happy with that as well.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 07:59:15 pm
content: There is a Korad review here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/review-of-the-korad-kel103-programmable-load/

author: ahope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 09:14:00 pm
content: Here is a nice video and software using the kel103 for battery testing, remotely controleld and managed with python over tcp/ipIncludes the python library for kel103

author: wadmancpu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 11:11:53 pm
content: Lots of great info, thanks everyone. I ended up ordering the Rigol dl3021 and got $30 knocked off for the eev blog discount. It's more than I need right now but I'll be a little future proofed so I won't need to do an upgrade for awhile.