Power supplies with a good looking full color LCD display - do they exist? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 10:18:29 pm
content: So far, I have found that only the Owon ODP3032 has a nice looking color display. Are there any other power supplies with decent color diplays?Before you say, "Who cares?" I am trying to get my son interested in electronics and he expects the PS to have a good looking display (like his Android phone). I know this may sound stupid, but, are there any other power supplies with decent color displays?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 10:41:02 pm
content: rigol dp832a

author: moya034
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 10:43:50 pm
content: I can't think of any. The Rigol PSU has a color display but I'm not sure if it is what he would classify as nice looking if a smart phone is his benchmark. That said why not make a project of building a power supply that uses a custom app on the phone as the User Interface? I wonder if you can get a phone to work something like an FTDI RS232 to USB IC?Edit: Of course you could charge the phone at the same too.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 11:03:16 pm
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 22, 2015, 10:18:29 pmWhile it's not "stupid" (that is a rather overused term, to the point of having lost its meaning), I do think that if the type of screen on a power supply is more important than how the power supply works, you have either a) a lot of work ahead of you or, b) lost before you have started.As a parent myself, I don't know how I plan on engaging my child should they show an interest in electronics, but my gut feeling is that it shouldn't involve showing them a side of electronics that is purely cosmetic. If they enjoy it, then it should be because they really like the electronics part of it all, the designing, troubleshooting and building "things".Good luck to you, and I hope your child does find an interest, regardless how they are introduced to it!

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 11:05:04 pm
content: Keithley 2280S-32-6 has a nice looking color display, unfortunately no touchscreen

author: engiadina
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 11:47:51 pm
content: Well,if money is a no brainer ...http://www.keysight.com/de/pd-1842303-pn-N6705B/dc-power-analyzer-modular-600-w-4-slots?nid=-35714.937221&cc=DE&lc=ger

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:05:15 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 22, 2015, 10:18:29 pmDear god... If either of my sons had a requirement for 'good looking display' for something as mundane as a PS they'd get a swift kick up the arse. I'd be first in line for a bigger kick for being the enabler...cheers,george.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:14:34 am
content: Quote from: georges80 on November 23, 2015, 12:05:15 amYep. He's not going to watch cartoons in it, he's going to use it to set a voltage.What are you going to do when the resistors aren't the right shade of brown or when he sees the multimeter has an LCD display instead of a TFT?

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:33:54 am
content: Quote from: engiadina on November 22, 2015, 11:47:51 pmI was thinking the slightly cheaper B296xA, but either way thats not an interface you want to use as a day to day power supply. Adding a color display just allows amorecomplicated user interface.Better than a color display? Moving meters have always been "fun", a power supply with knobs that move meters is still an excellent teaching device.

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:35:18 am
content: Alrighty ya bunch of dug in spoiled EEs. I am trying to get a 14 year old kid interested circa 2015, the age of the smart phone and tablet, that's all. I've already tried the obvious and failed - a flashing LED does nothing for him.So, this is my last and best attempt at getting him off the 'puter and into something hard-core (i.e., hardware) by making it look like the gadgets he uses every day.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:48:46 am
content: I've been building a power supply now for about 12 months, 0-24 volt 6 amp but have had to put it aside as I cant decide on which displays to use, quality takes time and I take longer.You could look at these Panel Pilots as it seems they are very flexible and learning is involved, not very cheap though.http://www.panelpilot.com/

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:49:27 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 12:35:18 amNah - I'd say your 14 yr old is the spoiled (or totally disinterested) one in this case... Sorry, but spending $$ to buy pretty displays is just feeding the problem you already have created.I have a 16 yr old (and one older again) and that one is learning C using the K&R C book. If the interest is really there then your kid will want to know how things work and won't need a 'pretty' display as the driving force...cheers,george.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 01:01:53 am
content: Perhaps it's best to let the kid pursue his natural interests, the way you have.

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 01:02:26 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 12:35:18 amFlashing an LED is not a cool thing anymoreMy experience from university science fairs tells me that kids these days love robots, the cool shiny ones, not the 1950's era pneumatic manipulator that I programmed with jumpers plugged in a switchboard when I was a student. Modern ones are not only flashing LEDs, but moving, sensing, making noises etc. Smartphone cannot beat thatMaybe get a LEGO Mindstorms kit and start from there. If your son will find this interesting and will want to build more custom things then you'll go back to proper electronics and programming with solder.

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 01:32:04 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on November 23, 2015, 01:01:53 amVideo games, like all other kids these days?

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 02:37:25 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 12:35:18 amHave you considered the possibility that you can't force someone to be interested in something they're not, and that if they aren't interested in electronics a flashy PSU screen sure as hell isn't going to do it.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 02:56:00 am
content: @ SharpEarsThis good looking enough:http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=1393&T=2&tid=17

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:04:06 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 01:32:04 amSure. Or do you think that'll be the only thing he ever likes for the rest of his life?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:04:31 am
content: ... and another ($800)http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDP832A.html?v=7421

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:11:32 am
content: Quote from: tautech on November 23, 2015, 02:56:00 amBest option so far in terms of looks/features for the $ .

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:26:16 am
content: Quote from: Nerull on November 23, 2015, 02:37:25 amOf course you can, it's just that 14 is not really too late but not early enough.Gymanstics, Football, baseball, ballet. Two to three year olds don't exactly pick these themselves...they get picked for them. A practice I dissagree with , by the way.You just have to make sure the horse always has water available, in case it decides to drink.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:35:07 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 12:35:18 amGet him LabView Home for $50 and connect about 1000 possible GPIB, USB, or VXI power supplies to it. That will allow him to make his own UI in a PC environment and control an external network of devices.In general, if he needs to have a slick display to be interested - he probably does not care about electronics that much.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:38:33 am
content: Never tell another how to bring up their kids unless you wish to loose them as a friend or want a scrap.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 03:52:31 am
content: Quote from: tautech on November 23, 2015, 03:38:33 amI didn't tell anyone how to bring up their kids.

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 05:06:52 am
content: Maybe make one with an Arduino, they seem to be all the rage...Quote from: rx8pilot on November 23, 2015, 03:35:07 am+1

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 05:46:29 am
content: Go old school - knobs and meters, with glowie things inside!-Pat

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 05:48:07 am
content: Quote from: crispy_tofu on November 23, 2015, 05:06:52 amThe downside of Arduino is that it discourages learning how things really work. It teaches you sorta-kinda how things work while shielding you from the real challenges and at the same time making the user feel like an engineering genius.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 05:53:53 am
content: Quote from: rx8pilot on November 23, 2015, 05:48:07 amThat's an idea that's often stated, but are there any studies to back that up with evidence? Huge numbers of people are never going to care who things really work, as they just lack curiosity. Does Arduino really discourage the naturally curious from probing deeper? That seems like the only way it might have a negative effect.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 06:18:53 am
content: Quote from: coppice on November 23, 2015, 05:53:53 am+1 for coppice's commentsI think it's like saying real basketball players play on 10' goals. Kids (including those who grow up to play in the NBA) start on 8' goals (and lower), and they use a 28.5cm basketball until about 7th grade before moving to a 29.5cm ball.Additionally, the world is evolving. Technologies and tools that are available to kids today weren't available to people who are adults now when those adults were kids - so some adults are learning from an elementary level.If an Arduino helps someone become interested in electricity or hardware or software, what's the problem? It doesn't mean they will never learn anything else or not move on to bigger challenges.Some kids who learned basketball on an 8' goal never got around to playing on a 10' goal but many move up to the more challenging height as they gain experience. I have never heard of a kid who learned to shoot on an 8' goal who then said "that's too easy so I'm going to quit basketball and never shoot on a 10' goal" and I never heard of a kid or parent or a coach who said "because we started with a smaller ball and a lower goal our curiosity about basketball techniques, understanding of basketball, enthusiasm for learning basketball, and basketball skills were ruined before we could get a chance to experience the bigger ball and higher goal." Just doesn't happen.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 06:27:38 am
content: The irony is I am starting to fancy the older looking displays, like nixie or 7 segment. Easier to read than lcd crap.The siglent and rigol have nice displays however.I would think RC cars and quad copters might be an easier place to get a kid interested in electronics. Servos, batteries, RF frequencies.Expensive hobby, but some of the new drones are like $40.Once they understand how servos, batteries, work, they might be interested in moving into the robotics side. At which point some something from polou might be worth looking at.https://www.pololu.com/The other avenue might be audio, something like a altoid headphone amp.

author: jimdeane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 07:38:30 am
content: I second the idea of using something that he would find fun anyway as an avenue into exploring whether electronics is an interest to him. Quadcopter, robot, R/C.Does his school have a robotics team, like First Robotics or Best Robotics?

author: picitup
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 08:12:33 am
content: Just a suggestion - I wonder if he would enjoy building a kit rather than going from first principles? It's nearly xmas an there's plenty of wearable stuff around with flashing LEDs he could show off to his mates. I think the answer here would be to find out what he thinks is cool and also what his peers think is cool.I think the problem you have with teenagers. Is that anything you do, isn't cool. By definition. What you're trying to achieve is excellent though. Basic electronics has been going out of fashion for a long time. Young people take for granted the fact that consumer electronics is actually designed by someone.Anyway, here's a few suggestions from Sparkfun:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11734https://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=lilyBest of luck on that roller coaster ride that is the teenager lol and I hope you can find something that will engage him.Just a bit more teenage stuff; my 13 year old daughter wanted to upgrade her Moto G for the latest iPhone for £600.00. I made her trawl the net for specs and convince me it was good value for money. She came up with a Samsung phone for £200.00. 12MP camera, octacore, 32GB etc etc. So you can see the way they think. She's pleased with her phone, but I bet she misses the Kudos of owning the latest iPhone.CheersSteve

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 08:27:57 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 23, 2015, 06:00:44 amWhat are you blathering on about? What works and what doesn't for teaching is not an ethical issue. Its a pragmatic technical one. Either presenting simplistic solutions to youngsters who would otherwise have the motivation to gain deeper knowledge discourages them from gaining that or it doesn't. There are certainly ethical questions that come out of the knowing how youngsters react to stimuli, but all we were talking about is what works and what doesn't from a purely educational point of view.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 10:48:09 am
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 22, 2015, 10:18:29 pmThe equipment isn't the issue. I'd much sooner suggest starting with robot kits or the like, if he's even interested at all. If not, rather than trying to force him intoyourhobby, explore whathismight be. (As for the "trying to get the kid away from the computer" problem, I'm trying to figure that one out with my nephew, who is absolutely obsessed with minecraft...)

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 02:31:58 pm
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 03:11:32 amIt's not touch screen, so.... fail!Nothing at all like a smartphone.

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 02:42:23 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on November 23, 2015, 05:46:29 amI am trying to get him interested in electronics, not Fallout 4.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 09:29:44 pm
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 02:42:23 pmIf he's so into video games, maybe having Fallout era gear might interest him?As others have stated, you can lead a horse to water...Seriously though, start with robotics or quadcopters. Perhaps an Arduino based robot kit? Robotics is great because it merges software and hardware, which might help him figure out what he's interested in.A flashy power supply is not going to impress him for more than 5 minutes. Why you think it would is absolutely beyond me.Sent from my Tablet

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 09:51:38 pm
content: A power supply inherently isn't very interesting (until you're hooked and love those tubes). Maybe you should introduce him to something with a more interesting interface, like an oscilloscope.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 09:57:22 pm
content: Quote from: timb on November 23, 2015, 09:29:44 pmMy dad wanted me to play sports. Guess what...? I never did.

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 10:08:12 pm
content: I would propose to build together a very good an powerfull audio amp with speakers. Lots ofelectronics to learn in that for a beginner, and most 14 year olds I know love a good loud audio system. Throw in some dj gear to really convince him...

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 10:25:33 pm
content: Quote from: SharpEars on November 23, 2015, 02:42:23 pmThink "Steampunk"!

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 10:46:46 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on November 23, 2015, 10:25:33 pmLOL ....or if left on to long probably SmokepunkSeriously as others have said a power supply is not the way to go (unless 'you' need one!).RC stuff, robotic kits etc would be more engaging.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 10:49:03 pm
content: I'm glad I grew up when I did in the golden age of electronics when you actually built stuff. I've become stupified by all the stuff you can just but from China. A recent TV program said this is the first generation that doesn't have to put up with being bored. I've caught the same affliction. I watch these videos and scan ahead several minutes at a time. Most are like soap operas, by watching 1/5 of the video I don't miss a thing.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 11:37:25 pm
content: Quote from: lowimpedance on November 23, 2015, 10:46:46 pmOh stop - I've since cleaned the dust and crud off of the tubes!That was how it arrived, and the front panel image is from when I'd cleaned only the right half of the faceplate to show the contrast of dirty vs clean.-Pat

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 11:49:31 pm
content: @ Cubdriver Excellent, I have done a little 'glowing bottle' gear restoration myself so I know whats involved cleaning and bringing these fossils back to life.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2015, 12:09:56 am
content: Adafruit Cupcadehttp://www.adafruit.com/product/1783A pretty nice blend or assembly, soldering, playing with Linux (Raspberry Pi), searching the web for ROMs, and a final product the teenager will be proud to show his friend and play with. I highly recommend it.Laurent

author: SharpEars
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 24, 2015, 03:39:49 am
content: Quote from: LaurentR on November 24, 2015, 12:09:56 amHe already went down this route 3-4 years ago and for a lot less than the $119 that AdaFruit charges. Granted, the result wasn't nearly as small in size (nor used a Raspberry Pi).

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2015, 05:36:20 am
content: When I was 12 my parents encouraged me to experiment and play around with anything I was interested in. My best friends dad was an engineer at TI. Needless to say I got interested in circuits and started collecting old things to rip apart. My parents bought me a work bench and I bought my first oscilloscope on Ebay when I was 13 (B&K precision dual channel 100mhz model) for 60$ + shipping....that could have bought alot of Lego'sI had no clue what I was ding till I was 19-20 and started to really get interested in the "know-how" side of things. I realized that I was much more interested in system development, rather than all the fine detailed math and fine points that I was desperately trying to understand and not making progress with, with no real goal in sight. I wasnt motivated till I created goals and started pushing twards them. That made alot of the finer pints of engineering much more interesting.I think there have been alot of well meaning posts in this thread, but I think it really comes down to understanding what motivates him to become interested in something. I know it did for me (22 now!)