I have an ac/dc power supply with a DC and a VOM meter. It's fairly
large with 3 units stacked together. I couldn't find any model #. Any
idea as to it's value?
I've never seen much value in a variable power supply. Yes, they
can look all fancy and there's certainly more to them than fixed voltage
supplies.
But for a lot of use, you never need more than a few fixed voltages.
+12, -12 and +5v. Indeed, you are more likely to need multiple
voltages at the same time than variable voltage.
For the time one needs actual variable voltage, they can throw together
something outboard with a 317 variable voltage regulator. If they like
it enough, they can add it to the fixed voltage power supply (assuming
there is room) and let it sit there for the next time it's needed.
Meters look impressive, but again one can get by with an external meter.
There is a definite need for a variable power supply for some uses,
just as some will need a power supply that can put out a lot of current.
But those often fall out of the every day. The average hobbyist is
better off with multiple low current supplies, because they
may need to power more than one thing at the same time but want
isolation, and toss some money down for a cheap second DMM that
can do the work of the fancy meter on the variable power supply.
Michael
