Protek vs. Xantrex Power Supplies

[CC]

Hi:

I'm looking for a triple output power supply. I've narrowed down to two
Protek models, and two Xantrex.

Requirements:

0. Dual =>30V outputs and one 5V output
1. =>2A on the dual outputs
2. Voltage fine adjust pot or 10-turn pot on dual outs
3. Separate digital meters for volts and amps on both main outputs
4. Series and parallel capable isolated main outputs.

Preferences:

0. =>3A main outputs
1. <= 1mVRMS noise
2. <= 50us step response
3. Calibration procedures provided to user in the manual
4. Adjustable third output, or switchable 3.3V/5V
5. Meters can be switched to show third output volts/amps
6. Tracking mode
7. Able to set current limits without shorting outputs
8. Logarithmic current adjustments
9. On/off switches for main outputs


Any bad things about Protek? They seem like cheap Chinese stuff, based
on the barely legible manuals. Xantrex looks like much higher quality
based on the appearance, the other product lines from Xantrex, and the
high quality of their manuals. But some features of Protek make me
incline to buy Protek.

A coworker has a Protek 3033B and has never complained about it:

http://www.protektest.com/CatgList.asp?prodId=CT_PS

I am thinking about the newer 3040T for my home workbench.

The LCD display model 3030T with 10-turn voltage adjustments and
digitally set current limits is interesting, but a bit large, and I
don't like the lack of regular binding posts:

http://www.protektest.com/ProdInfo.asp?prodId=3030T


I rejected all the triple-output models from Instek, B&K, Sorensen, and
AEMC (though I like the toroidal transformer in the AEMC), for various
reasons.


Xantrex offers the following model which is acceptable, but missing a
few of the bonus features of the Protek. Also the 1A on the 5V output
is kind of weak:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/76/p/1/pt/26/product.asp

There's this higher-powered one (but a little worse noise and step
response, so I think I won't choose this one for light-duty analog):

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/75/p/1/pt/19/product.asp


At this point I have the following ranking based on meeting my
requirements and preferences:

1. Protek 3040T
2. Protek 3030T
3. Xantrex XPL 30-2T


But based on quality I think the following ranking might be true:

1. Xantrex
2. Protek


What do you think?


Xantrex has the coolest programmable units I have found, and I would
sure like to add one of these to my collection at some point, but the
price is OUCH! although actually not so bad when you compare it to
Agilent stuff:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/73/p/1/pt/20/product.asp

Although I am not sure if these come with software to control with the
PC. Some of the programmables from Instek and B&K come with very nice
control programs out of the box. But what the Xantrex has that no other
does is the very fine resolution settability.

This is also a very interesting model for high powered work:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/74/p/1/pt/26/product.asp

Comments welcome.


Good day!

 

[fakeaddress]

Hi:
I'm looking for a triple output power supply. I've narrowed
down to two
Protek models, and two Xantrex.

I bought a Protek from Fry's bout 4 yr.s now and it's still running.
My boss got one from Fry's. Probalby the best price around.