pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Jun 18, 2013 10:28:01 GMT
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Post by gommer on Jun 18, 2013 10:57:46 GMT
Hi Martin,
IMO, you can't DIY a half decent lab-PS for the price you can buy them for. You either need knowledge for a switched mode supply (and it can be tricky) or you go linear and you'll loose more money on a heatsink alone than you can buy it for. Then think about displays, another cost... Also, implementing a current limit down to 0A is not trivial. Just buy one. It won't be perfect when cheap (ripple, rather small max current and voltage, no fine adjustment, ... ), but plenty good for basic jobs.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2013 11:03:58 GMT
Martin Another possibility to what Marc has suggested could be something like this www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K3218It was also published in the U.K. magazine Everyday Practical Electronics in June and July 2012. The main PCB and panels were available from EPE's PCB service. Regards Alex
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Jun 19, 2013 15:36:04 GMT
Thanks both for the advice. That altronics kit looks nice... now looking for christmas pressy Pity not in the UK now I'll have to pay duty doh I think some of the PSUs I was looking at were dual PSU's ie + and - x2 not +/- PSUs, which may have mixed me up a bit too All the Best Martin
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 16:12:04 GMT
I had been keeping half an eye for one of these too. You could go Chinese, at only £78 delivered; fleabayEDIT stuff that, how about the same kit at £56 delivered! circuitspecialists.eu
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Post by gommer on Jun 19, 2013 17:59:07 GMT
Here's a complete range of good value for money at sharp prices. In Dutch, but you'll be able to understand the specs. If not ordering here, then at least it's a good reference for the prices you should be aiming at: www.eleshop.nl/labvoedingen-c-45.html
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 20:08:02 GMT
Hi Marc, There is also that other company you pointed out before (for solder stations) who seem to have a decently priced range too. Komerci
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Jun 19, 2013 21:18:46 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 22:19:29 GMT
Hi all, Alex has already pointed out to some of us that a redundant PC PSU can be easily modified for use as a bench supply. They could cost you ZILCH......................just scrap that old PC lying in the garage but haul out the PSU first then throw the rest away. Don't have an old PC lying around............go to your local computer repair man he'll have oodles of the things he's desperate to get rid of so he should let them go for buttons if not free. I walked out my local man's door with six decent PSU, he didn't want anything for them. I just wanted the cases but they were all good and he was delighted when I presented him with a bottle of Hardy's red wine...............£7.50.............that works out at just £1.25 for a good steel case. I cased up my 15Watt Amp's power supply traffos with them. Here is a link to one way to go about it, there are numerous others out there. www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-SupplyI've been using EX PC PSU for the last ten years as a power supply for Pyrography, with the addition of a small PWM circuit to control the temperature of the nichrome wire it works a treat.Alan
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 23:23:25 GMT
If anybody would like further info about that Altronics bench PSU, please send me a PM. In Martin's case, it may be possible to just retrofit the main PSU PCB etc. into his existing case. That PCB may still be available from EPE magazine.
Regards Alex
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2013 23:51:49 GMT
The only disadvantage of the pc psu idea is the limitation of voltages. I've often played with the idea but only having 12, 5 & 3.3 v available put me off. If those are the Vs you require then you're made up.
Sent from my HTC One S using proboards
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2013 11:49:43 GMT
Hi Chris, here is a link to a site showing how to mod a PC PSU for variable supply 3V to 48.5V at up to 140 watts. Requires a little internal work and a schematic of your supply. I have somewhere in my vast archive of misc' files instructions on how to string three PSUs together for higher voltage, I'll have a hunt. thedatastream.4hv.org/at_psu_hack.htm
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2013 18:55:59 GMT
Alan, That's looks like something I could do serious damage to myself with I'm not the best at working from circuit diagrams and really need a proper how-to to avoid mortal experiments. I shall go in search of just that.
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jc
Fully Modded
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Post by jc on Dec 26, 2015 1:16:58 GMT
Here's a natty little idea that could simplify adapting a PC psu into a bench PSU... €bayBasically an ATX breakout board. Open to criticism on the actual execution of the board, when thinking of casing up but a little jiggery-pokery could sort that.
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