Using a Dual Tracking Power Supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Smokesout
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2014, 04:26:21 am
content: First post please be kind.Have just been given (b'day gift) a Powertech MP3087 power supply as avail from Jaycar. Now it's been YEARS since I've been involved in electronics and things have moved on a lot since my training back in 1982/83. Now I was after a Dual Tracking pwr supply that gave me at least a +/-25dc. Now after reading through the manual (joke) I know how to run it in Series and Parallel but how do I go about obtaining negative and positive rails. I hope I don't have to go back to Jaycar and attempt to return a gift...........And finally, how do you insert images. Used the icon and the img tags appeared but I couldn't insert it. Used the attachment option but still couldn't get it to appearThanks in advance

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2014, 06:52:50 am
content: If you already ran it in series you had a positive and a negative rail relative to the mid point.

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2014, 08:03:10 am
content: or rather than selecting "series" just connect the negative from one rail to ground, and the positive from the other rail to ground, then one supply is positive to ground, and the other is negative

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2014, 09:56:46 am
content: When you hit the 'series' button, an internal relay connects the red connection of the left supply to the black connection of the right supply.This gives you your dual supply - with the negative voltage at the left black connector, 0v at the left red and right black, and positive at the right red connector.Andy

author: georgste
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2014, 12:25:39 pm
content: Hi,I also got this same PSU from Jaycar last week. Same price as eBay for the same (non Jaycar badged) unit, so why not buy locally?Anyway, as previously stated the Serial mode connects the + of the Left PSU to the - of the Right PSU.Parallel mode connects the +'s and -'s together to double the current capacity. no additional jumper cables are required.IMPORTANT:I have had 3 units with a fault on the CC/CV buttons. Please check they work well, as mine have very intermittent operation. They will work OK a few times, then you have to press like 8 times to toggle the CC/CV mode. Jaycar have informed me to hold onto the unit for a month (I'm OK with that), until they can work out a permanent fix through their supply chain.All up not a bad general use supply for the price though. An extra decimal spot would be good on the displays, but I can use a multimeter if I really need that.Steven

author: Smokesout
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 17, 2014, 08:00:36 am
content: Thanks all. Prompt and Spot on.I had a mild suspicion that was how it would be achieved from past experience and after reviewing the user manuals of few other power supplies. Shame this wasn't made obvious in the 'Destruction Manual'.And in response to Steven, have the same issue with the CV/CC buttons. Will be getting in touch with Jaycar tomorrowI'm having a heap of fun learning how to use a cro again, and with all the additional functionality. Unbelievable how things have changed from all the analogue gear I learnt on which was fitted to aircraft designed in the 50s. Expect more posts when I can't find the answers via searches