Selecting a new work horse PSU? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2019, 05:29:21 am
content: Hi I am about to buy a new work horse PSU for everyday use.I am looking to meet these demands:single output or isulated outputremote senseeasy to input values by numerical keysgraphical userinterface24/7 runningLow ripple / noiseStable outputowershoot not allowed at allgoes down to mAPower on output is not liveAlmost full current at low voltageInput resolution not importantMax voltage not importantMax amp not importantI am looking at the Rigol DP1116A but are there better / other candidates?

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2019, 08:50:45 pm
content: I love my 6632B's , mV/mA adjustable. Linear (heavy) ... 20V/5ANot graphical , but still one of the best PSU's i have (if you can live with the fan noise)Easy to key in V/A via the keyboard.Note the outputs (screw terminals) are on the backside, along w. the remote senses.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Agilent-HP-6632-B-Power-Supply-Labor-Netzteil-6Monate-Garantie-Lesen/292974613777https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-AGILENT-6632B-System-Netzteil-20-V-5-A-100-W/292071246164Ps: Maybe ask for a few pic's of the VFD display w. power applied. Some seems weak/Bingo

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2019, 11:30:10 pm
content: I'm using Chinese HY1505D. Such as this one, but for 15V 5A:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mastech-HY1803D-DC-Power-Supply-225302/302707033917It is not so precise, voltage can change for 1-5 mV under variable load.But it is small, doesn't have HF noise, cheap and works like horse PSU

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 02:09:01 am
content: I like the looks of the Siglent single output supplies:SPD1168X 16 V @ 8 A $259 USDSPD1305X 30 V @ 5 A $279 USD

author: sambonator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 05:58:35 am
content: boy high end stuff... how about a Keithley 2280S.https://www.tek.com/tektronix-and-keithley-dc-power-supplies/keithley-2280s-series

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 06:58:24 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on March 03, 2019, 02:09:01 amDefpom has one of my SDP1305X right now that he's gunna be testing like just he did for the SPD1168X.Dunno if he'll want to keep that one too.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 07:38:53 pm
content: I have a small issue with single output supplies and it is the bit about 'single output'. It is not uncommon to want to turn on all 3 outputs simultaneously. Hybrid circuits with dual-rail op amps and microcontrollers come to mind. That implies, of course, the existence of 3 outputs although not necessarily all in one supply.Yes, an external multi-pole toggle switch may be a good way to work around the issue. I'm not sure how that works on a supply with remote sense capability. I have never had that feature and it seems like a really important thing to have.That Siglent supply above sure looks like a nice supply.The other thought is that the +-15V supplies don't need to be all that hefty. An amp is probably adequate for most reasonable op amp circuits although totally inadequate for audio circuits. For my needs, maybe a simple +-15V plus an adjustable single output supply would be a good way to go. Maybe even toss in a fixed 5V supply.I have the Rigol DP832 so I am set for the moment.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 08:26:17 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on March 03, 2019, 07:38:53 pmYep, and that's the normal usage case but there are some that want to SW sequence turn ON (Dave did a vid on this) and yet others want more grunt, that's why Siglent have bought out these new single channel PSU's.Defpom liked the 16V @ 8A particularly as he does CB repairs and many of them need a 5+A supply.I never got it back.........Recently I had a customer very interested in the 3ch SDP3303X-E until he saw these single channel units with their sense and higher current capabilities then he switched his interest to getting 2 units, one of each of SPD1305X and SPD1168X.Horses for courses I guess and everyone has a different need.QuoteFor higher currents using long and/or light supply leads is where they shine, IIRC Defpom shows this when he loads up the PSU with his E-load.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 08:33:02 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on March 03, 2019, 08:26:17 pmI was thinking about a situation where the sense leads are not switched but connected to the DUT and the output of two or more supplies was controlled by a toggle switch. The PS is ON, the toggle switch is OFF and the sense leads aren't seeing anything? What happens to the output voltage before and during the external switch transition to ON.It isn't a commentary on remote sense, that's a great feature, it is about the advisability of using remote sense with a toggle switch in series with the output to control multiple single-output PSs.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 09:03:55 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on March 03, 2019, 08:33:02 pmSlide Defpom a comment for him to examine this when he looks at the SDP1305X soon.Maybe I'll link him to this thread too.

author: TheDefpom
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2019, 10:14:03 pm
content: I already recorded the video for the review (I will either publish it late this week or early next week, I haven’t edited it yet, and tomorrow I publish my review on the SSG3021X).As luck would have it I did indeed cover the remote sensing and how it reacts when turned on but not connected, so make sure you subscribe to my channel and click the bell icon to get notifications of my new videos so you will get to see it once I publish it.

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2019, 12:10:33 pm
content: What is best, a used primium brand or a new main stream brand, under 1.000$ ?

author: sambonator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 01:45:25 am
content: Personally I like used premium. Its reassuring to know I can resell it at or near the price I purchased it (as long as I don't damage it)...If this was for business use, I'd get new and make sure it comes with good warranty.

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 02:06:36 am
content: It's for private use:-)But used and graphic screen do properly not mix?

author: sambonator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:53:19 am
content: I did a lot of looking around for power supplies on Ebay, and I ended up with an Instek GPD-3303S. It cost 1/3rd the price of a new unit, and it met all of my current needs.There's not a lot of power supplies with graphical interfaces (with graphing capability) in the used market, so it might be difficult to find one at a good price.Maybe you can get a quality unit without graphing, but with a PC interface (USB/LAN) and do all your power supply control and data logging and graphing through your PC?