Variable Power Supply

[cptn_zippy]

Hello all -

I have an old Lab-Volt variable AC/DC power supply that I use occasionally. It's great, but also a pain. Has no voltage readout, so you have to use a multimeter to set it, and it takes up a ton of space on my bench. I'd like something smaller and I see plenty of cheap units (mainly DC only) imported, blah blah. I am wondering if anyone knows what would be a good older unit to look for on eBay that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg, but would be a solid replacement for the behemoth I currently have.

Thanks

J

 

[LXCam]

Well normally the size is dictated by the amount of potential current you're looking to have available. I have a 30amp PS I used with my anodizing line that was appx 15" x 18" x 8".

So question to you is what kind of specs are you looking for.

 

[cptn_zippy]

Well normally the size is dictated by the amount of potential current you're looking to have available. I have a 30amp PS I used with my anodizing line that was appx 15" x 18" x 8".

So question to you is what kind of specs are you looking for.

AC/DC
0-30V 5A, max
General purpose bench supply - don't really need microvolt adjustability.

J

 

[Infinia]

What's your actual usage? a direct (solid?) replacement will be about the same size /weight. For just dicking around use, buy the ubiquitous china 30V 3A jobs, it may fail if pushed to high amps on low volts (I personally hate **** fans on electronics) Do what I do, consider adding a dedicated low cost or free DMM to the output (instead buying "shiny new" junk adding to landfill syndrome. )
Hewlett Packard makes the very best lab supplies, many can be found on ebay with a little perseverance.

 

[oldtools]

Sorensen, Power Designs, Kepco, Hewlet Parkard, Lambda. All US made and industrial/lab quality for reasonable price on Ebay.

 

[kd3pc]

oldtools has the list...

any of those he shows are keepers.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Xantrex is another good one to look for. They were bought out by Sorensen some time ago.

 

[Biomed]

Years ago there were a ton of Heathkit power supplies available. Have not looked recently.

 

[Infinia]

Xantrex is another good one to look for.

Do they make small DC lab supplies too? , I know they do AC supplies (inverters).


'Harrison Labs' is another oldie but goodie
If you need 5A and adjustable to 0-30V , you must be doing some serious power experimenting.

 

[oldtools]

Years ago there were a ton of Heathkit power supplies available. Have not looked recently.

Aren't Heathkit and Knight DYI home built power supplies?

 

[oldtools]

Xantrex is another good one to look for. They were bought out by Sorensen some time ago.

Sorensen is now owned by Ametek. Lambda is owned by TDK. HP spinned off their test equipment division and named it Agilent. Agilent then spinned off their test equipment division again and named it Keysight. Power Designs went out of business a long time ago. Too bad because I have a particular fondness for Power Designs: Their power supplies tend to be laboratory grade. Even if their 5 decades old power supplies are out of spec, they are still more accurate then those new import low end/low cost power supplies.

 

[Biomed]

Aren't Heathkit and Knight DYI home built power supplies?

I cannot remember much about Knight. Heathkits were mostly home built but they had some products that you could purchase fully assembled.

 

[cptn_zippy]

Thanks guys, I'll probably just add a bench multimeter to my existing supply.


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[cptn_zippy]

Glamor shot for fun.

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[Leaflessshadetree]

Why not add a simple voltmeter? You could even add an ammeter if you wanted.
Lots of styles available and not expensive.

 

[Infinia]

Cheap dig panel meter can fitted easily. Dual color display is awesome.
There millions of these things some better than others. I reckon there sold on Amazon/ Ebay and the usual Shenzhen E-stores if you know them http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LED...700144&hash=item4b19ca6ab2:g:IxMAAOSwbiFZQiCS

 

[dogdog]

Glamor shot for fun.

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Ebay, add a volt meter and a shunt amp meter to it for about $10 to $20 ish..... that looks like a nice variac base power supply.... beside it's a fun thing to do..... either that or go get a $50-ish one from no name brand if you don't used a lot of the advance features.... hobby ones would do

 

[Vvmvbb]

Do they make small DC lab supplies too? , I know they do AC supplies (inverters).

...

Yeah, quite a variety of them. I like this style:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xantrex-Sorensen-HPD15-20-15-Volt-20-Amp-Power-Supply-in-White-Chassis-/291794421512?hash=item43f04d8708:g:2uEAAOSwlV9WSltC