HP E3630A at €90, good deal?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: LPaul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 02:11:58 pm
content: Hi !I was looking for a half decent linear supply for general work including analogy stuff so the 3630A sounded nice with the 20V tracking outputs. Bought one €86 from Ebay, sold has used (obviously !) but working, so I hope it wasn't a scam (vendor was 100% over 200 sales).Hopefully it will work !Looks nice has a general lab PSU?I think a similar model was said to be a good PSU when I did my research on the forumeBay auction: #http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vends-HP-E3630A-Triple-Output-DC-Power-Supply-0-6V-2-5A-2x-0-20V-0-5A-/201544770765?Anything to be aware of (components that often fails?) in those PSU? Any check you would do upon arrival?Thanks.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 02:44:06 pm
content: That's a very good deal.

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 02:51:15 pm
content: As I recall the supply has no means voltage selection, could be 110/120 V or 220/240 V.The max output current of the 20V is 0.5A not 5A as the text in the a suggest.

author: LPaul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 03:22:23 pm
content: Quote from: mij59 on March 24, 2016, 02:51:15 pmGood catch! I'll be careful to check that *before* powering it, just to avoid transforming the PSU into a fume generator!The vendor is French, so I hope it is a 230V version (finger crossed!)Anyway, if it is indeed a 110V version, I would definitely use the 14d period to send it back, something like that *must* have been in the ad for a French seller.Quote from: mij59 on March 24, 2016, 02:51:15 pmAll the texts stated .5A on the ad (watching ebay in english though, where the specs are). So no bad surprise hereQuote from: krivx on March 24, 2016, 02:44:06 pmThanksnow to hope it's in good condition!

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 03:56:22 pm
content: It's a decent deal, but anything more would be too expensive. 35 watts? No current limit setting? A single meter for all 3 voltages? You could build a similar PSU with an LM317 and an LM337 ...

author: vishaldotgupta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 04:34:22 pm
content: try qje brand from China. it is quite good for its price.usually sold in different brand names but QJE is the OEM

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 04:43:19 pm
content: The E3630A is a very nice supply. While they are generally labeled for a fixed input voltage if you open them up they usually have the voltage selector switches inside. It is a great supply for the price you paid.

author: LPaul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 05:01:37 pm
content: Quote from: mos6502 on March 24, 2016, 03:56:22 pmThanks for the comment!Honestly, I completly missed the fact that the PSU had no current settingNot that it matters too much, certainly less convenient.Completely disagree on the DIY approach though. First using regulator is certainly not the proper way to build a reliable PSU, but a couple of op amps and transistors and proper heatsinking and pot (or whole digital control) and proper center taped transformer and... would indeed make for a similar PSU. Would it be cheaper? Not quite sure.Quote from: vishaldotgupta on March 24, 2016, 04:34:22 pmThanks for the brand!had a look at their website (or at least what google gave me). They look quite nice (for chinese designed supplies), looks like the Korad & cie.Definitely more modern than the HP and probably a better buy?Quote from: TheSteve on March 24, 2016, 04:43:19 pmSounds nice (if I don't forget to check the voltage before frying it!)Might have been even cheaper to buy an US model then (Americans are so lucky with their second hand market...).

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 05:29:59 pm
content: the E3630A often goes for $200.00 USD plus in North America, you have to really watch to find a deal. They are very popular.