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Power Supply for Home lab?

mudz

Hi,
I am starting this year with different projects. Indeed, I need a power supply which I felt for so long is the main missing component in my small home lab. Currently, I am using PC SMPS, Transformers, and different adaptors to power up different projects and kits.
Many times I felt need of a variable power source but I did that with two different power supplies, but it is time consuming. And many more things to say but its just a waste of time to write and for yourself to read...... Now Its too much and I'm going to build one good power supply. Previously I'm fulfilling my power supply needs by using a adaptor and then using a voltage regulator(7805, 7809, 7812, LM317..) afterward for my projects.
So, what do you suggest?

Also I'm going to include few more additions to it like function generator, power consumption meter.
So what do you suggest what will be the best thing to make a good power supply?

An IC?

A Microcontroller? like PIC

Just build a box consisting a transformer/adaptor with voltage regulator and few pots?

Do tell me which will be better to use? A microcontroller or IC available in market for specific task for example Function generator IC? I'm confused should I go with a microcontroller and make my own program to do these tasks or should I buy an IC for individual task and then using a controller to control all?

 

 

mudz

Parents

  • One more question: Linear Power Supply or Switch Mode Power Supply?
    Depends? I may consider doing some business with it as well?
    My plans are to make it:
    1) less bulky/weight
    2) Compact

    3) portable

    4) Stablility with accuracy

    5) much Cheaper than market solutions

     

    mudz

  • in reply to mudz

    I think everyone goes through a stage of looking at stuff on the  market and thinking that they can do it cheaper - but never assume that those guys at HP/Agilent/Keysight or Keithley or even Tenma (E14's cheapo Chinese brand)  or where ever are dumb.

     

    For starters - unless you want to make zillions of things you don't want to be at the cheap end of the market - because you can't make any money selling just a few things with a low margin.

     

    And if you want to play at the high end you need to offer something good:

     

    Just for fun compare the specs/prices of Rigol's DP832A with the AimTTi MX180TP(E14 sell the  MX180TPMX180TP easy to find Rigol specs and prices on the web

     

    Then for a laugh add in the Tenma 72_2640 (E14 2478800)

     

    These three span a price range from £179 to £850.

     

    The only place I'd want to try to get in on the market is at twice the price again (ie >£1700)   - because I'm sure that AIMTTi who've been making power supplies for years can beat me on their home ground and I know that I don't want to play at the bottom end (those Tenma things must have an ex works price of less than £100).

    Of course no one will buy a power supply from me for 2k unless it's something niche and exotic - but if you have an idea in that area it could work. (Keysight are there of course !)

     

    But if you want to bounce about ideas about how to be more accurate, lighter etc it'll be fun to talk about it.

     

    JMO - YMMV !!

     

    MK

Reply
  • in reply to mudz

    I think everyone goes through a stage of looking at stuff on the  market and thinking that they can do it cheaper - but never assume that those guys at HP/Agilent/Keysight or Keithley or even Tenma (E14's cheapo Chinese brand)  or where ever are dumb.

     

    For starters - unless you want to make zillions of things you don't want to be at the cheap end of the market - because you can't make any money selling just a few things with a low margin.

     

    And if you want to play at the high end you need to offer something good:

     

    Just for fun compare the specs/prices of Rigol's DP832A with the AimTTi MX180TP(E14 sell the  MX180TPMX180TP easy to find Rigol specs and prices on the web

     

    Then for a laugh add in the Tenma 72_2640 (E14 2478800)

     

    These three span a price range from £179 to £850.

     

    The only place I'd want to try to get in on the market is at twice the price again (ie >£1700)   - because I'm sure that AIMTTi who've been making power supplies for years can beat me on their home ground and I know that I don't want to play at the bottom end (those Tenma things must have an ex works price of less than £100).

    Of course no one will buy a power supply from me for 2k unless it's something niche and exotic - but if you have an idea in that area it could work. (Keysight are there of course !)

     

    But if you want to bounce about ideas about how to be more accurate, lighter etc it'll be fun to talk about it.

     

    JMO - YMMV !!

     

    MK

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