Bench top DC power supplies

[L.Cheapo]

Hi all,

I searched the forum for this topic and didn't come up with much. A couple posts dating back 5+ years, but that was it.

I'm in the market for a bench top DC power supply. This will be used to test various small devices from ~5v-48v. Amps are pretty low--don't think anything even approaches 5amps.

I don't need an oscilloscope or any fancy features, except maybe the ability to program it for a battery charge to try and resurrect a battery an automatic charger won't touch, but not a deal breaker. Just a basic DC power supply, up to say, 60vDC and ~5amps?

Are the Amazon cheapies any good? Ideally, I'd like something relatively accurate that doesn't require an EE degree to operate and probably won't burn my house down. Or do I need a Rigol or similar? I realize they're all pretty much made in the same place.

I'm open to all ideas. Thanks!

 

[engineer2]

I bought an Amazon adjustable PS. Kungber brand. It seemed to have decent features including short circuit protection. Of course I dropped a lead and it momentarily landed on the other one causing a short, which let the smoke out. The vendor was no help and refused to communicate. No parts list, no service, past the 30 day warranty. Someday I'll try to fix it. Buy a product that a warranty, schematics, and parts available.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

I have this one. Works great. Could not have diagnosed/debugged the Hall effect sensors on my race car without it.

Amazon.com

 

[RTM]

Maybe try this thread

Variable power supply suggestions

LSS the transformer in a 40 year old electronic typewriter died, and searching the numbers on the transformer got me nowhere. I'm thinking if I can test different voltages where the transformer output connects to, like 5, 12, 24, etc. volts, and see which voltage makes it work again, I can buy a...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[cgrutt]

Base Station Power Supplies

Base Station Power Supplies

www.gigaparts.com

 

[WildBill]

Base Station Power Supplies

Base Station Power Supplies

www.gigaparts.com

Those are all low voltage, high amperage, high cost. Look really nice, but kinda the opposite of what OP asked for.

 

[cgrutt]

Those are all low voltage, high amperage, high cost. Look really nice, but kinda the opposite of what OP asked for.

OK title said benchtop dc power supplies just trying to help feel free to ignore. I've used giga parts before and would recommend. Apologies if it didn't help

ETA try TE Equipment. All I got at the moment.

 

[Rabid Badger]

RD6006P. Amazing bang for the buck. I have the 12 amp version and love it. It comes as a kit, but assembly takes less than 30 minutes.

https://www.amazon.com/RD-RD6006W-Power-Supply-assembled/dp/B096548QH5?tag=atomicindus08-20

Whatever you end up going with, make sure it has a button to enable/disable the output without powering the whole thing on/off. Makes it a lot easier to not blow stuff up.

 

[Achilleus]

I bought this in 2018 and it's still going strong, though I don't use it every day. But note it's only 0-18V - maybe they make other types? I had another couple before this that broke after a few years, don't remember what brands they were.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Many (most?) of these power supplies use switching technology. They are efficient and cost effective but a small amount of ripple does get through.

A 100% analog supply would much more expensive.

 

[jayemm]

I bought this one about 4 years ago. I only used it a few times but it will put out the rated power. I had a DC motor screaming at about 30V and 8+ amps. Like other switching power supplies it generates high frequency noise which is visible on an oscilloscope but it hasn't been an issue for my use. I got it because it's basic controls and has good user reviews. I don't think you can go wrong at the current price of $42.99 which is $10 less than I paid 4 years ago. There's lots of others to choose from as well in that price bracket also.

https://www.amazon.com/%EF%BC%88Precision-00-01V%EF%BC%8C00-01A%EF%BC%894-Digital-Precision-Adjustable-Regulated/dp/B07M9N73YQ?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[L.Cheapo]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. This will be very occasional use only, used to test small motors, lights, and solenoids. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[tool_scrounge]

One minor quirk that drives me nuts is all the bench top power supplies I have used historically has the positive terminal in the left and ground on the right. A lot of the current imports have it reversed and it is too easy to hook things up with reverse polarity out of habit.

 

[Citation]

I just spent $40 for this from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BFCF13Y?tag=atomicindus08-20

No idea if it's good but I guess I'll find out. I don't need 10A but this was priced nicely.
I also have a linear 2 channel bench supply that I got because 1 channel is acting up. I wish I understood the theory of operation better since linear power supplies shouldn't be hard to fix.

 

[Cruzan80]

For higher voltage, low amp stuff, I would suggest looking into used/vintage. Some of the old 60's stuff goes up to 600V DC! I am guessing from when vacuum tubes needed lots of amps. It won't be as compact, but much easier to diagnose and fix it something goes wrong.

 

[Beerhippie]

I have this one. Works great. Could not have diagnosed/debugged the Hall effect sensors on my race car without it.

Amazon.com

I've been using the same one for several years. Electrolysis, plating, testing.... The only problem is that the OP specified up to 48V, and this one only goes to 32V (measured).

 

[Buster21]

I have this one and use it a lot. I know you said 48v and this one goes to 30v

 

[cvairwerks]

You want something like an HP 6024A...0-60VDC and 0-10 amps. There are a couple on fleabay for under 100$ right now.

 

[johnre]

My solution is to have two of these old timers - but then, the Tektronix used / surplus store is close by and I can buy them on the cheap ($15 each, and another $10 for the TM503 power rack).

It has analog knobs, analog control circuits and most importantly, published schematics in case it needs to be repaired.

 

[L.Cheapo]

You want something like an HP 6024A...0-60VDC and 0-10 amps. There are a couple on fleabay for under 100$ right now.

THIS is the kind of info I was hoping for and would have likely never found on my own. Thank you! Down the rabbit hole I go...

 

[cvairwerks]

My solution is to have two of these old timers - but then, the Tektronix used / surplus store is close by and I can buy them on the cheap ($15 each, and another $10 for the TM503 power rack).

It has analog knobs, analog control circuits and most importantly, published schematics in case it needs to be repaired.

Johnre: Only problem with those and most of the others listed is OP wants 5 amps at 60VDC. Most of the ones listed, other than the one that Rabid listed, do not meet his requirements.

 

[iron block]

You want something like an HP 6024A...0-60VDC and 0-10 amps. There are a couple on fleabay for under 100$ right now.

THIS is the kind of info I was hoping for and would have likely never found on my own. Thank you! Down the rabbit hole I go...

A proper bench power supply like that HP should be used with care if you plan to charge batteries -- in some cases the protective circuits do not play well when the "load" back feeds voltage into the supply's output.

A series diode is recommended by some manufacturers. Here is what Siglent has to say, for example:



The diode is also cheap protection against some common "oopsies", like accidentally reversing the lead polarity or having the AC power fail while the battery is still connected.

 

[johnre]

Johnre: Only problem with those and most of the others listed is OP wants 5 amps at 60VDC. Most of the ones listed, other than the one that Rabid listed, do not meet his requirements.

Not an ordinary range for a benchtop supply, but something like this could be available on the market, for a price.

In general with modern electronics we are trending toward lower supply voltages and higher current levels.

 

[Rabid Badger]

A proper bench power supply like that HP should be used with care if you plan to charge batteries -- in some cases the protective circuits do not play well when the "load" back feeds voltage into the supply's output.

A series diode is recommended by some manufacturers. Here is what Siglent has to say, for example:



The diode is also cheap protection against some common "oopsies", like accidentally reversing the lead polarity or having the AC power fail while the battery is still connected.

Another note regarding the RD6006:

It has a battery charging mode with dedicated output to prevent these issues.

 

[cvairwerks]

Not an ordinary range for a benchtop supply, but something like this could be available on the market, for a price.

In general with modern electronics we are trending toward lower supply voltages and higher current levels.

My bench supply is a Motorola unit. 0-50VDC and 0-50 amps. I picked it up for about 75$ because the guy was tired of lugging it to various hamfests and electronic flea markets. It's enough to power the entire SCR-269 and SCR-274 radio systems for one of my airplane projects and still have capacity. Only bummer about it is that it's 240VAC. I'll have to grab a photo the next time I'm over at the warehouse.

 

[Citation]

Op, if you haven't jumped yet, you might consider a dual channel, 30V, 5A bench supply. Most will let you run the two channels in series which doubles your voltage. Thus a 30V, 5A 2 channel bench supply can deliver 60V.
This is an example (not endorsing, just an example)

https://www.amazon.com/Tekpower-TP3005D-3-Digital-Variable-Linear-Type/dp/B00HX0UYBK?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Etchase]

I had good luck with the cheapest one I could find on Amazon.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Op, if you haven't jumped yet, you might consider a dual channel, 30V, 5A bench supply. Most will let you run the two channels in series which doubles your voltage. Thus a 30V, 5A 2 channel bench supply can deliver 60V.
This is an example (not endorsing, just an example)

https://www.amazon.com/Tekpower-TP3005D-3-Digital-Variable-Linear-Type/dp/B00HX0UYBK?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks to you and everyone else.

I haven't made any decisions yet, as this is not an immediate need and I am still openminded. I do like the thought of having an older unit, just for the coolness factor. Still researching.

 

[exmaxima1]

I just spent $40 for this from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BFCF13Y?tag=atomicindus08-20

No idea if it's good but I guess I'll find out. I don't need 10A but this was priced nicely.
I also have a linear 2 channel bench supply that I got because 1 channel is acting up. I wish I understood the theory of operation better since linear power supplies shouldn't be hard to fix.

There is a 60V/5A version as well, which is what the OP asked for. It's currently only $69-20% (coupon code)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG99M1T9?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Innovate1]

My solution is to have two of these old timers - but then, the Tektronix used / surplus store is close by and I can buy them on the cheap ($15 each, and another $10 for the TM503 power rack).

It has analog knobs, analog control circuits and most importantly, published schematics in case it needs to be repaired.

So the Tek country store (think that's what it was called) is still open? I lived very close many years ago and even went with a friends badge before it was open to the public. Tek made some good stuff.

 

[Beerhippie]

So the Tek country store (think that's what it was called) is still open? I lived very close many years ago and even went with a friends badge before it was open to the public. Tek made some good stuff.

Yeah, but did you ever shop at the Zydell wrecking yard surplus store? That place was amazing! Zydell scrapped military aircraft, ground craft and ships. Imagine what you might find for $5 in the early '70s!

 

[Davefr]

If there's a Ham radio swap meet in your area you can probably find great non switching power supplies for pennies on the dollar. (Tek, HP, Agilent, Keithly, Trygon etc.)

 

[johnre]

So the Tek country store (think that's what it was called) is still open? I lived very close many years ago and even went with a friends badge before it was open to the public. Tek made some good stuff.

It's now called RAMS (Recycle & Material Salvage), but yes, same concept. Information here:

https://www.bluefeathertech.com/technoid/tekstore.html

I also picked up this Tek TDS3054 recently; price was right - $250:

Let's See Your Vintage Electronic Testing Equipment

A few weeks ago, I won a Biddle megger at an auction. Output voltage is a little over 500 volts. Shows the correct reading testing a 1 megohm resistor. Hope to find a copy of an original owners manual. EDIT: Just found that it was probably manufactured in the late 1970s. Great find. What is...

www.garagejournal.com

In-person visits are best; they don't ship AFAIK. Employees and recent retirees get preference; we get to go over things before the public sees it.

 

[Innovate1]

It's now called RAMS (Recycle & Material Salvage), but yes, same concept. Information here:

https://www.bluefeathertech.com/technoid/tekstore.html

I also picked up this Tek TDS3054 recently; price was right - $250:

Let's See Your Vintage Electronic Testing Equipment

A few weeks ago, I won a Biddle megger at an auction. Output voltage is a little over 500 volts. Shows the correct reading testing a 1 megohm resistor. Hope to find a copy of an original owners manual. EDIT: Just found that it was probably manufactured in the late 1970s. Great find. What is...

www.garagejournal.com

In-person visits are best; they don't ship AFAIK. Employees and recent retirees get preference; we get to go over things before the public sees it.

Thanks for the info. I haven't been there since I moved to the Midwest for college and then a job in 1988. I still have extended family in the area and get out occasionally. Usually try to hit some of the other electronics/tech surplus places like Surplus Gizmos and my sister works at Garten in Salem that has a small but good place that sells computers and related gear. It's called GEARS.
https://garten.org/garten-electronics-and-reuse-store-gears/
I have picked up several good deals on PCs and related stuff there. They also have an ebay store. As for RAMS, from the link you posted it sounds like there is usually a line when it opens. Not sure I want to wait for hours to be near the front of the line but will definitely try to check it out on a trip. An issue is their limited hours and I usually pass through Portland with maybe a day or two there - fly in there and then head to other locations.

 

[bluecomputer]

Also worth looking at Kepco or Ametek on ebay.

 

[cvairwerks]

Also worth looking at Kepco or Ametek on ebay.

Kepco makes some good supplies, but one that meets OP's requirements is going to be a 3/4 rack sized unit and shipping a 57+ pound power supply isn't cheap. On top of that, you are looking at a couple of hundred bucks pricing on them.

 

[rust in the eye]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. This will be very occasional use only, used to test small motors, lights, and solenoids. I appreciate the feedback!

Those are pretty simple needs maybe the power supply from a desktop computer would serve the purpose. They have several output stages.

 

[Snip's]

I bought this power supply for use with my nickel plating projects with no issues...
For $24 more it gets you the 60V supply...
Has short circuit protection...

 

[Steve_P]

I just spent $40 for this from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BFCF13Y?tag=atomicindus08-20

No idea if it's good but I guess I'll find out. I don't need 10A but this was priced nicely.
I also have a linear 2 channel bench supply that I got because 1 channel is acting up. I wish I understood the theory of operation better since linear power supplies shouldn't be hard to fix.

I also have this one. It works. I've only used it a few times; but, when I received it, I checked it with a Fluke 87V and it's ~98% accurate to what the readout shows. Which is fine for me. Obviously not lab grade equipment, but for very occasional use, and for the $....