Bench top power supply

[v1ru5879]

Would like to start adding some accessories to the truck now that it's warming up. Before doing any final installs the idea of having a bench power supply to test with strikes my interest. Should I go the diy route or get a small one off Amazon? Don't wanna spend over $100 for what I'm gonna use

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[BillK]

How many amps capacity do you think you will need ? Ham radio companies like Ham Radio Outlet and DX Engineering have quite a bunch of different ones.

https://www.hamradio.com/
https://www.dxengineering.com/

 

[flyt100]

A desktop PC power supply can be handy and good bang for the buck if you don't need adjustable (and you may have one laying around in an old computer)...

 

[v1ru5879]

Mainly cameras off-road lights and head units

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[Sevenhills1952]

This Weltron is 50 years old, I made the "guts" years ago, it's 1.5v to 25vdc @ 2A max. I got one like this China one but 10 A, 0-30V. I'll use them occasionally.

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[BillK]

Lights can draw quite a bit of power. I would probably look for something that will do at least 10 amps.
Something like this would work:
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/asr-rs-12a

Personally I would stay away from "switching" power supplies. They are a lot lighter but are very "noisy" meaning electrical and RF noise. They do make good ones but they will be expensive.

 

[Stuart in MN]

For testing 12 volt car accessories, a spare battery or even a battery charger will probably be good enough.

 

[v1ru5879]

This Weltron is 50 years old, I made the "guts" years ago, it's 1.5v to 25vdc @ 2A max. I got one like this China one but 10 A, 0-30V. I'll use them occasionally.

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That's the one I've been looking at on Amazon, I can't think I would need much more than that

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[v1ru5879]

I have one of these https://www.harborfreight.com/4-amp...ntrolled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

It's only 4 amp so I don't believe it will work for what I want. I might consider a battery but a power supply seems more logical for me even if I have to spend a bit more

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[oldwino]

I’m not in the shop right now to get the brand but I bought one on Amazon with adjustable amps for around $40. I’ve also been known to grab an M12 battery pack and a couple of jumpers

 

[Shiftless]

I used to use my 10 amp battery charger but now I use this.

 

[Dancing Bear]

you can also buy a desktop PC power supply and use it as a benchtop unit ... they turn 120V AC into 12V, 5V and 3.3V DC on the different rails .... some of them can deliver 20+ Amps on the 12V rails. Thats what I use for benchtop testing

 

[nadogail]

I like the battery and charger idea.

 

[ttpete]

I fished mine out of a dumpster. It's a Lectroetch etching power supply. It's capable of 0-30 volts DC or AC and up to 50 amps. It uses a Variac to adjust the voltage and has both a voltmeter and an ammeter. I had to install banana jacks on the front panel to replace an original connector.

 

[Shiftless]

ttpete: Dumpster find? you ****!

The newer and wimpier model from that company only delivers 10 amps and DC only. It retails for $300

 

[ttpete]

ttpete: Dumpster find? you ****!

The newer and wimpier model from that company only delivers 10 amps and DC only. It retails for $300

It's been on the shelf over the bench next to the Simpson 260 and the shop Fluke for 20 years now. I found it the week before I retired, out back by the loading dock.

 

[dogdog]

If it was me...I like to build one...

but if I am looking at cost... I would have just gotten the build one ...

either case, plenty of selections.... Just have to define what exactly you needed first... 10AMP 20AMP 6AMP etc...

You can build one off a programmable CC/CV controller but you would still needed to get the power supply

 

[v1ru5879]

I think something 20 amp max would be sufficient for most vehicle accessories. I may go with that one linked above from Amazon.

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[theoldwizard1]

Cheapest is a battery and whatever battery charger you already own.

Next step up, is a used computer power supply. You need to short to pins together to get them to turn on.

You can get a 0-30V, 0-5A (or 0-10A) supply on Amazon for about $60 ($80 for the 10A).

Super deluxe, go to eBay and look for Riden power supplies or AlliExpress. These are either the front panel and electronics only or a kit (quick easy assembly). Many positive reviews online.

 

[DIY_Guy79]

If you're going with a chinese option, Banggood is your best bet. They have a lot of different options within your price range. The Riden line they have is very popular. However pay close attention to what you're buying as many of these are components to build your own. As in the main interface where you need to supply your own transformer or power supply or something of that nature. If the DIY option is attractive to you, then they have tons of components here and there are tons of builds on youtube that you should check out. Biggest issue I have with Banggood is the shipping from China is... lengthy to say the least. But they do have some USA warehouses they ship from, you can check to see if that option is available on each item you view.

Here is a unit on Banggood, 30v 10A: https://www.banggood.com/TOPSHAK-K3....html?cur_warehouse=USA&ID=47757&rmmds=search

But that one doesnt seem to have fine/course tuning.

For $49.99. It is available from a US warehouse. And make sure you check for coupons, they have a huge coupon section to look through. If you're new to banggood you get some pretty decent coupons for being a new customer.

Also, just fyi, on Banggood you have to actually read the reviews. The star rating is useless as I dont believe there is a way to change the star rating, so every review is 5 star, whether good or bad lol.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here is a unit on Banggood, 30v 10A: https://www.banggood.com/TOPSHAK-K3....html?cur_warehouse=USA&ID=47757&rmmds=search

The crazy thing about the Chinese power supplies is you can find identical models with different brand names for different prices ! I'm sure they all came out of the same factory and someone just slapped a different label on it !!

Go to eBay and search for "K3010D power supply". You will be shocked at how many hits you get !

 

[Bad Habit]

Isn't that true of most of the **** out of China?

 

[bigmike989]

I was happy with a couple of these for another project https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VWV5YCH/

 

[theoldwizard1]

Isn't that true of most of the **** out of China?

Good luck finding an adjustable power supply NOT made in China !

 

[dogdog]

Isn't that true of most of the **** out of China?

^^^^
Ignorance Is Not a Bliss

It all dependents on what you are doing and what you are looking for. Most people have no idea what they are doing even with power supplies, analog or smps. .. or know what are the requirements of a good power supply... let alone design one better than the craps out of China or knows how to differentiate **** from the #2 that spew out of the brain. Just saying. there are a lot of craps out of China... not every one of them are design by Chinese. They just made them to spec or price and target market..Maybe you are attracted to their **** market. We have this discussion before and almost every month.