Need Bench Power. Please advise

[quadwould]

Hi all.
as i am setting up my bench...... about to procure a Scope...

i am finding that i will most likely need a power supply.

Which models are recommended from the type of projects that we of this forum discuss??

i am in LA right now to US prices and models (compatible with worldwide mains power)

thanks to everyone for your help.

 

[maneco]

Mybe you could diy the bench supply...one that has outputs for +and - 15v,+24v and +48 v...should not cost that much,and it's more fun to have your own instrumental...

 

[quadwould]

For something as potentially hazardous as a Power Supply that can output some high voltages and amperages.. and onth that has to work worldwide on various different Mains voltages..... i think i will stick to one made by a trusted company.

 

[bcarso]

For value the various Topward models are acceptable. I also have a dual 0-20V, 500mA, plus aux 5V 2A fixed Tektronix (model number CPS250) that I am pretty happy with.

 

[quadwould]

Just though of this.....


will i need just AC output or will i also need DC??

 

[bcarso]

You will need d.c. for powering up circuits. AC power supplies are rare beasts.

 

[maneco]

Well,i reaaly encourage you to build your PSU...you'll learn a lot...the potencial hazardous voltages are the same you will find in any of the power suplies of any project here ,and it will get more hazardous if you get into tubes,so it's better start practicing :grin:

 

[quadwould]

OK so i have done some searching of the site....

what i have found is this....

Dual channel (or tri channel) 0-30V.... and having 5v and 12v Fixed is a useful thing. 24v Fixed would be nice too....

Any other Fixed voltages???

any minimum or maximum amperage???

Any suggestions for models to purchase... (keep in mind that i am looking for a unit that can run on US and UK/EU mains power 100-250V 50/60Hz)

for suggestions .. keep them to models i can purchase in the US, as that is where i am right now.

 

[bcarso]

Check the supplies in the back---there is usually a mains power voltage selector switch. Get one with an IEC type power jack, that is, with a removable power cord. You will need an alternate power cord for the UK.

 

[quadwould]

This is understood... I've been doing the dual mains thing for years with all of my kit.

What the problem is, is that i have seen many Models that are 110V only. No switch, regardless of IEC style plug or hardwired.

the problem i am having is that there are hundreds if not thousands of choices and i just need to narrow the search with more specific criteria or with a specifitc model number.

So can anyone suggest a good unit to get... or alternatively the specs to look for (ie should have (2) 0-30V outputs as well as a 5V and 12V, or a 5/12V switchable fixed output. The amperage should be "x".... why not try looking at models from X,Y,and Z companies....)

cheers
-d

 

[bcarso]

The Topwards I have looked at have input voltage selector switches and are fairly good value. I would recommend a dual 0-30V 2A with the single fixed 5V @ 5A. 6302 is the model with analog meters I believe.

 

[alk509]

For the kinds of projects we do here, you'll need a variable bipolar supply, possibly up to +/-30V or so. You might be able to piggy-back two 0-30V variable supplies to make a bipolar one, but it really depends on the individual supplies you get. You'll also probably want a really clean fixed 48V supply for phantom power. And if you want to work on tube circuits, you'll need a variable high voltage supply, with fixed 6.3V and 12V outputs for heaters.

You won't find one supply with all the outputs you'll ever need. I have two variable bipolar supplies (DIY LM317/337-based supplies with +/-1.25V to +/-37V outs), two high voltage supplies with AC heater supplies (a Beckman DuoStat and a HeathKit whose model number escapes me), two self contained DC heater supplies (again DIY, with 6.3V and 12V outputs) and a 0-30V and a 12V supply that almost never get used. The Beckman high voltage supply is great, BTW, and you can find them cheap at hamfests and on eBay (I got mine at the MIT swapfest last year for 10 bucks).

Before you buy anything, though, I would strongly recommend you do some reading on basic electronics (like figuring out what's AC and what's DC, and why we use DC on circuits). Then you really should try to tackle at least a bipolar supply as a DIY project. They're simple and cheap and a great way to get started.

Good luck!

Peace,
Al.

 

[quadwould]

Yep i have known the Difference between AC and DC for years....

but for some daft reason... Probably because i typed my original message after 17 Hours on a Dub Stage During Pilot Season :shock: (which, a note to everyone.. is not fun and not recommended)

I prefer not to edit my posts.. its a way for me to track my memory/mind lapses....... as they are becoming more frequent with age and work.....

In the land of DIY... i have build many various Synth modules and repaired many a synth as well. all without a Bench power supply or Scope.. Just my handy DMM, and solder station.... and most worked right away.. some needed help from a friend of mine.

Currently i am in the midst of racking 2 SSL 5000 series modules... and the power supply and the Rack itself are the fun parts....... So with this project and the ones i plan to tackle from here i now need a PSU and Scope. Got the Scope so just PSU....

for Bench PSUs at lest to start with, i prefer to have one that is made by a solid company. and as time goes on, and i find i need different voltages i may start building PSUs... like when i get around to building a Pultec or 2




thank you all for the suggestions, keep them coming.

 

[peterc]

I've lusted after HP supplies for years, but ebay is not really practical from down here.

Some of the beauties I've seen :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32720&item=7514844124&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58286&item=7513947370&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7515513895&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58288&item=7515515901&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32720&item=7515387354&rd=1

The single channel units can usually be linked together for dual tracking.

Peter

 

[quadwould]

Cheers Peter.

this is starting to come together for me....

so when a unit says it has a +25V and also -25V like the third one down, is that just another way of sayionh that it supplys 25V Via a +,-, and Gnd port?

i think yes but sometimes the language is a little non specific.



some of the units out there supply Fixed 5V and some supply Fixed 6 V i am guessing this is for things like switches and LEDs and lights

which is more universally used?

 

[bcarso]

+5V is the traditional digital logic supply voltage, despite more recent equipment migrating to 3.3 and even lower voltages.

 

[quadwould]

so i have found a couple that look interesteing...


Mastech dual 0-30V 0-3A and 5V/3A
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7514834915&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

there are also 5A models of the above..... and also similar Models from Tekpower and Protek



and here is a Topward
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7514712476&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

[jrmintz]

I just bought a Topward TPS-4302 with analog metering. It should be here next week. I'll let you know how it works.

:thumb:

 

[peterc]

so when a unit says it has a +25V and also -25V like the third one down, is that just another way of sayionh that it supplys 25V Via a +,-, and Gnd port?

I think on this case that there are 3 independant supplies here. It does say "triple output supply" & the meter switch for monitoring the 3 supplies makes me think this.

Peter

 

[quadwould]

Peterc
Good Point. Very possibly. so then it that is the case.. How the hell is it supplying -25V???

is the DC in this think just an Offset??? like in Audio.. a dc offset... i do not think this is so, but .... i just do not understand. maybe i am overlooking something very obvious......