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Where can I find a power supply like this (another Make: Electronics question)

opalko

So, in Make: Electronics by Charles Platt he gives an option of a benchtop power supply that

 

"provides variable DC outputs of 0V to +15V and 0V to -15V, plus a fixed 5V output. It should also have several breadboards conveniently mounted on top of its box."

 

Weeellllll, I have googled quite a bit and not been able to find anything like this; the breadboards top is throwing me off I think.  Does anyone know where to find something like what he describes?  Mostly I am finding little ammo box shaped things that provide "0V to 30V" like the one pictured below - is this the same voltage requirements he stipulates?  But what about the breadboards?...I know this is a very basic question! Thanks for any help!
Cheers

image

  • Hi Robert,

    Your picture didn't post properly. Make sure you use the icon to insert a picture.image

     

    On the question about the power supply there are quite a few that have the voltage output specifications that you mentioned. The bread boards on top however are probably a modification that has been done for the purpose of better video display. I think I would find it cumbersome and restricting to have the power supply under my bread board set ups.  Here is a candidate that I saw on EBay. I have one that is similar to this:

     

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/GW-Instek-GPC-6030D-Triple-Ouput-DC-Bench-Power-Supply-w-Power-Cable/392934706360?hash=item5b7cbbccb8:g:qokAAOSwJJRfV4Wa

     

    The switches on the front allow your to connect two of the variable channels in series or in parallel. (Lots of Flexibility) The third channel is fixed at 5 volts.

     

    John

  • Hi Robert,

     

    I sent an email to Charles to see if he could give us more information about it. If he isn't too busy he usually gets back to me in a day or so.

     

    John

  • Hi Robert,

     

    Seems you have already communicated with Charles. He says he hasn't had that supply for a number of years. You will probably have to customize one if you want the breadboards on top.

     

    John

  • in reply to jw0752

    Yes he was gracious enough to reply. Am I really looking at $300 for something like this?!

  • in reply to opalko

    The used one in the ebay link above was listed at $200 I think. When I bought mine new a few years ago it was $300 or there abouts. There are other options if you want to build your own but that can run into money for parts too. Test equipment if it is cared for holds its value quite well. Look at it as an investment. You can always sell it again and get your money out.

     

    John

  • Robert,

     

    to complete the Make: projects, you don’t need anything like that and can easily get by with just the 5V/6v regulated circuit he uses with the wall wart.  I actually took that bit of his circuit and permanently wired and soldered it up on perfboard and stuck it in a case. Input was from a 9v/12v switching wall wart (which I presume you have already) and output was a pass-through of the input voltage plus a regulated output that could be switched between 5V and 6v. Output through banana plugs that could be plugged into breadboards that have those inputs - these a few cheap options for them on Farnell and the most useful are those with 4 breadboards plus the power rail.

     

    when it comes time to use a bench power supply you will know.  The above setup got me through the make: books and a number of my own experiments, right up to making my own bench supply!  You could keep your eye on CPC.farnell.co.uk bargain corner as they often have cheapish supplies.