DIY USB/LAN monitoring interface for bench PSU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Harimake
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 02:37:28 pm
content: I have a large non programmable linear bench PSU fromhttps://www.circuitspecialists.com/bench-power-supply-csi6010x.htmlIt has no USB/LAN output to display or log voltage and current readings. I'm entertaining the idea of implementing some type of computer interface so that at least I could capture the V/A values on the screen. Maybe add logging if needed.One obvious approach is to implement voltage and current sensing circuit based on INA238 or something similar, then capture in arduino or RaspPi and then interface it out to a PC.But this is invasive into the PSU output and I'm a little worried about potentially introducing additional interference.Has something like this been done before? I did some search and nothing comes up aside from DIY ATX PSUs converted into a bench PSU.Is there a way to tap into the existing PSU control circuit to capture V/A readings?

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 03:44:47 pm
content: I'd suggest you start by trying to locate a circuit diagram, or reverse engineering it enough to follow how it works. Look at other power supply designs.For readout purposes, you should be able to locate the current sense circuitry and more than likely tap off the output of that for your own purposes.The key thing with any external interface is that you need to make it electrically isolated. This could be done via a wireless connection, or a USB to serial interface with isolator.

author: luudee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 03:47:56 pm
content: It might be cheaper to buy a RD6012 Power Supply module ...It has USB and WIFI, and PC software ...rudi

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 03:55:40 pm
content: Quote from: luudee on October 21, 2021, 03:47:56 pmYes, that could be used as a "post regulator" powered by the CSI6010X.The original idea would be a much better learning experience, and keep the lower noise of a pure linear supply.

author: Harimake
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 05:02:47 pm
content: It feels great to have options.I do like the idea of a new regulator faceplate as it seems to provide everything I need and then some. But I'm not sure if it effectively downgrades my power supply in terms of quality and reliability.I know that circuit specialists rebrands some other Chinese units to sell as their own. At one point I even knew which ones. Finding the diagram would have been fantastic.Thanks for the suggestions.I'd prefer not to spend much time doing everything from scratch. Ideally, if RD6012 is not a great option, I'd like to find existing modules and software to put together and implement.Does anything exist in PI or arduino worlds that implements voltage and current display on a PC.I found this earlier as an example:https://startingelectronics.org/software/processing/software-voltmeter/It's limited to voltage only, but the code can be easily modified.Leaning towards PI with a web server instead so that I don't have to deal with serial/USB connectivity...

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2021, 02:42:24 am
content: Quote from: Harimake on October 21, 2021, 05:02:47 pmThere are hi-resolution ADC and current modules that have I2C or SPI interfaces, eg. google "ADS1115 arduino" or "current sensor module arduino" to find modules built around the ACS712 or INA214 and similar chips.

author: Harimake
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2021, 04:09:36 am
content: Quote from: ledtester on October 22, 2021, 02:42:24 amYeah, I've been considering those, INA238 specifically as I need 60v readings. But tapping into the existing current/voltage sensing circuitry seems like a cleaner solution.I've been digging around for the schematics. The Chinese name for CSI6010X is MOS QJ6010E:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000220026446.htmlStill can't find any diagrams. I guess I'll be reversing it over the weekend now.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 22, 2021, 11:36:12 am
content: Better not to add another current shunt and amplifier - just trace the sense wires from the current shunt and see where they go. Should go into an amplifier that generates a voltage for the current readout, and for feedback into the constant current control loop.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2021, 02:47:35 pm
content: I just noticed that Circuit Specialists provide the schematic for a number of the PSU models on their website. There isn't one for the CSI6010X, but they do have them on the product pages for the CSI12001X, CSI12003X, and CSI3020X. The detail is a bit lacking though.As the CSI3020X, CSI6010X and CSI12003X all share a manual, the schematics could be quite similar. The ones given for CSI3020X and CSI12003X seem identical, so the differences are probably in other components like the transformer windings, readout range, current shunt, etc.