BENCH POWER SUPPLIES - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrsR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2013, 10:52:18 pm
content: Hi! Guys,I am replacing my gear after the lightning Discharge melted it. I say discharge and not strike as it went up through my earthing Post, jumped to my ESD safe bench and equipment shelf, through all gear plugged in over to the Louver Windows then blew two Gal roof sheets into twisted melted scrap. The Insurance Company paid for the replacement of bench, roof and rewiring the house and shelf but as I didn't declare each piece and value the Sporting/hobby equipment was not covered.So I have to be careful how I spend my money.The house has been hit before and the only damage was burn marks on the roof fascias. Ground to sky can be up to 3 or 4 times more powerful, so I have been told and the damage seems to show this.Anyway I need a power supply (I made the destroyed ones) with digital read outs and the Jaycar 30v,3amp unit looks OK! does anyone own one of these.Any suggestions on better ones $400 is my limit on a double supply or 2 single ones.Rachael

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2013, 11:49:13 pm
content: I will always recommend that people buy used power supplies. All the new ones within a reasonable price range are turds, and since power supplies tend not to fail (and tend to be easy to repair when they do), the old ones are still really good.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2013, 11:51:51 pm
content: Ummm....seems to me that this question gets asked several times a week if not more. Perhaps a forum search will lead you to some rapid answers.

author: jebcom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2013, 04:10:30 am
content: MrsR, I don't know what country you're in, so you might want to add that to your profile so we can see your flag.AnalogLinear supplies are heavy of course, so you may not want to have one shipped very far.If you're in the US, I see a couple of tempting Kepcos on ebay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kepco-ATE-36-3M-0-36Vdc-0-3Adc-Lab-Bench-CC-CV-Power-Supply-with-Meters-/121103532605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3255423dhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Kepco-Power-Supply-JQE-0-15v-Bench-Top-Power-Supply-Model-JQE-15-6-M-/200806037938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec0f8f9b2Oh well, now I see that you're looking for digital.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2013, 04:15:30 am
content: Quote from: jebcom on May 03, 2013, 04:10:30 amYou've either confused "analog" with "linear" or you are sorely mistaken about the weight of a panel meter...

author: jebcom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2013, 05:58:25 am
content: Quotehaha! yes, very heavy meter movements!

author: MrsR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 07:12:18 pm
content: Sorry I thought I filled out my Bio when I joined the forum so Thanks for bringing that to my attention.If there has been a lot of questions about power supplies I will do a search.I still have to make up my mind which RIGOL 2000 series DSO I need to get.I had a brand new RIGOL 2012 on the shelf had only pluged it in about 2 hours before it went westI am now tossing up between the 72Meg or the 100Meg I think the only advantage is the faster rise and fall times the 100Meg unit has?Rachael

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 07:19:01 pm
content: Quote from: MrsR on May 02, 2013, 10:52:18 pmIf you post the photo of your bench, i'm sure you'll win the best bench contest.

author: AlphZeta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 08:20:07 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on May 02, 2013, 11:49:13 pmI second thatUnlike many other test gears, power supplies are probably the most robust and you can buy a top brand used one for a fraction of the price of a new one. Most of the issues of older power supplies can be fixed by changing the filter caps.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 11:44:29 pm
content: Quote from: MrsR on May 02, 2013, 10:52:18 pmThey look very cheaply made to me, and as always Jaycar have likely overpriced them by 100%.Obvious problem in oz is the second hand market is almost non-existent. But even with the cost of postage being ridiculous, you can often get a better deal than locally by shipping something secondhand in from the US.

author: jebcom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2013, 03:31:55 am
content: QuoteDo you mean this one:http://www.eevblog.com/2009/09/11/eevblog-30-jaycar-bench-lab-power-supply-review/

author: akanowitz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 04:54:09 am
content: Just got a mailer, looks like they are on Special again, The actual Distributor is in Melbourne. Was looking as grabbing two and making a series bank. Any opinions greatly appreciated.ThanksAlan

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 06:29:47 am
content: Quote from: AlphZeta on May 05, 2013, 08:20:07 pmI third this! BIG TIME!Just look at the Power Designs Precision and HP Precision power supplies. To get matching specs new you are looking at the multiples of $1000. Used, they are $100 or so.

author: madshaman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 08:07:03 am
content: PD supplies are like orgasms in a steel box.

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 12:35:56 pm
content: Quote from: MrsR on May 02, 2013, 10:52:18 pmI'm really sorry for your gear. Do you live in a lightning risky place or it was only bad luck?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 09:36:37 pm
content: I agree on the used power supply. I bought one of the "inexpensive" 0-30V 5A power supplies that powered up but had no output on arrival. After a few emails with the seller, I managed to get the full price refunded including no deduction for 'free shipping' but it took a couple of weeks before the whole process was satisfactorily resolved. I am waiting on the arrival of an HP 3610A that is fully functional for less than $150USD shipped. This PSU has the Dave seal of approval. Check the used market and don't hesitate to come back here and ask for advice on a prospective purchase. I have learned that the people here are very helpful. Sometimes blunt, to the point and brutally honest, but very helpful.Tom, NW0LF

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 10:47:13 pm
content: Quote from: madshaman on November 07, 2013, 08:07:03 amThey all appear to be 110v only from pics ive seen.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 06:19:01 am
content: Quote from: nowlan on November 07, 2013, 10:47:13 pmThats a good point that I hadn't noticed. It seems like many if not all the PD Precisions are 110V. The HP Precision supplies on the other hand are 120/240 selectable.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 06:08:25 pm
content: I love my HP 6632B's , but they have some fan noise.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGILENT-HP-6632B-Bench-DC-Power-Supply-0-20VOLT-5-AMP-Programmable-/350903214887They are very accurate and excelent specs as they are linear.If you can stand some fan noise , and the shipping price i'd recommend them.Give Kev a PM (User KJDS here) , and he might give you a good price.He also has these (i don't know them)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Statron-variable-bench-power-supply-0-32v-0-6-4A-/251374553089Edit:I ended up getting a HP 3610A and two tti PL154 also (both fanless) , for longtime testing.That was the order from SWHMBO , as i have my lab next to the bedroom.And has been doing OCXO & voltage ref. testing constantly since april.But for initial testing i always use the 6632B's , afaik the display reading have 5.5+ digits accuracy.So you dont need to get your DMM , just look at the psu.They also have downprogramming , meaning they can act as (up to 5A/20v) loads , great for calibrating stuff.I do have a 10A Voltcraft Switcher PSU , but uses it rarely./Bingo