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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 Reply Children
  • in reply to COMPACT

    Definitely going to buy components!

  • in reply to mudz

    Two sources on the Internet. I don't have specific URLs, but here goes. At the MOOC www.coursera.org was/is a course on Switching Power Supplies. IDK (I Don't Know) when they will offer it again. Then there are numerous Electronics/Power-Supplies/Load-Testers at YouTube. I have been thinking along the same lines as you, so I'll try to keep-up w/ this discussion. At another Blog, another Blogger gave me an URL for a Switching Power Supply Primer. I have to look for that URL. Sorry. But speaking on a Practically Level, if you are just starting out, A Variable Voltage/Current-Limiting LINEAR Power Supply would be Best. Again check YouTube.