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inexpensive benchtop power supplies

S

Scott

Jan 1, 1970
0
I was looking for an inexpensive benchtop power supply. Something with
two variable outputs and optionally a 5v fixed output. A couple of
them caught my eye:

1) the circuit specialists CSI3003X3 (0-30V/0-3A) for $188

2) the RSR HY3003-3 (0-30V/0-3A) for $175

Does anyone have any experience with either? I assuming that both of
them are made in china and re-branded by the companies that are
selling them. It seems like these cost about half as much as something
slightly more name-brand, like a BK precision or instek.

Thanks,
Scott
 
I was looking for an inexpensive benchtop power supply. Something with
two variable outputs and optionally a 5v fixed output. A couple of
them caught my eye:

1) the circuit specialists CSI3003X3 (0-30V/0-3A) for $188

2) the RSR HY3003-3 (0-30V/0-3A) for $175

Does anyone have any experience with either? I assuming that both of
them are made in china and re-branded by the companies that are
selling them. It seems like these cost about half as much as something
slightly more name-brand, like a BK precision or instek.

Thanks,
Scott

Making a power suppy is one of the first projects any self respecting
hobbiest does. If you want cheap quality try ebay. You should also
consider what you intend to run from the supply, It's not a bargain if
it fries a �400 circuit board.
 
S

Scott

Jan 1, 1970
0
Making a power suppy is one of the first projects any self respecting
hobbiest does. If you want cheap quality try ebay. You should also
consider what you intend to run from the supply, It's not a bargain if
it fries a �400 circuit board.

I've already built a couple of my own (some of my first projects when
I was a teenager), but they lack some of the features of the
commercial models - for example, putting the outputs in series and
slaving them together (to get a +/- supply), current limiting, digital
readouts, etc. I did consider either "upgrading" one of my home-built
power supplies, or building a new one, but I'm almost certain the cost
will be more than buying a commercial unit, not to mention the time
involved in a project that is a diversion from what I want to be
working on. It seems like < $200 for a triple-output power supply is a
bargain.

Repairability is something that concerns me. I know at least one of
the supplies I listed (the CSI one) uses SMD technology, which does
not sound very friendly if something goes wrong with it. To that end,
I am looking over some of the used power supplies on ebay, which might
be slightly older, but possibly be something I could fix if I fry it.

Scott
 
Making a power suppy is one of the first projects any self respecting
hobbiest does. If you want cheap quality try ebay. You should also

The second thing he does is to learn how to spell "hobbyist".
Honestly, I swear it's not hard. It's like "lobbyist".
consider what you intend to run from the supply, It's not a bargain if
it fries a �400 circuit board.

That's why the third thing a hobbyist does is buy all the basic tools.
No one builds their own soldering irons.
 
T

Tim Wescott

Jan 1, 1970
0
Scott said:
I've already built a couple of my own (some of my first projects when
I was a teenager), but they lack some of the features of the
commercial models - for example, putting the outputs in series and
slaving them together (to get a +/- supply), current limiting, digital
readouts, etc. I did consider either "upgrading" one of my home-built
power supplies, or building a new one, but I'm almost certain the cost
will be more than buying a commercial unit, not to mention the time
involved in a project that is a diversion from what I want to be
working on. It seems like < $200 for a triple-output power supply is a
bargain.

Repairability is something that concerns me. I know at least one of
the supplies I listed (the CSI one) uses SMD technology, which does
not sound very friendly if something goes wrong with it. To that end,
I am looking over some of the used power supplies on ebay, which might
be slightly older, but possibly be something I could fix if I fry it.

Scott
If you want repairability then getting older name-brand supplies used on
eBay may be the way to go.

Surface mount isn't that hard to deal with. For occasional jobs you can
get by with a loupe, although you'll wish for a microscope right up
until you score one.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html
 
The second thing he does is to learn how to spell "hobbyist".
Honestly, I swear it's not hard. It's like "lobbyist".


That's why the third thing a hobbyist does is buy all the basic tools.

Easy thesedays with test gear so cheap but ti wasn't allways. Besides
if you buy everything then your just a collector.
 
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