Recommend a bench power supply

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

scottiebabe — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:32:44 GMT

A common recommendation for a first budget supply was the Korad KA3005 (or rebadged). They used to retail for around $100 USD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HrvuHSywms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g94mpom2Ahs

5 years ago this model (that looks very similar) sold for $70 USD.

Tenma Model 72-2685 Digital Controlled DC Power Supply - First Impressions

Is it worth 300 today? I don't know, lots of competition at that price...

Good Question.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

rsc — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:05:24 GMT

Looks like this one, different name Hantek PPS2116A

www.hantek.com/.../33

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

shabaz — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:24 GMT

Hi,

If you're in the UK, you can order from there as an individual, despite it mentioning "registered businesses only". The only thing to bear in mind, is that you won't be protected under consumer legislation. This isn't a major issue, because Farnell is a reputable org, and they won't leave you stranded with faulty equipment. But you won't be entitled to a normal consumer warranty and product return rights.

On the other hand, if you wish to use CPC, then it could be worth considering this one: https://cpc.farnell.com/velleman-instruments/labps3003/power-supply-bench-lcd-0-30v-3a/dp/IN06981

Simply because all the Multicomp power supplies that I've used end up being really irritating due to the awful user interfaces. Maybe some are better than others, but I'm done with them. But the Velleman one linked above has what looks like a very good user interface.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

Jan Cumps — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 01:51:27 GMT

In Belgium they don't. I can't order from e14 here.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

dougw — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:58:41 GMT

I don't know how it works from your location, but I am sure they sell to individuals.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

stanto — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:13:08 GMT

[quote userid="45395" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227121"]If you can't decide on "the best one", just get one. [/quote]

I feel you there, I think it comes down to price and availability right now 🙂

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

stanto — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:12:30 GMT

[quote userid="37543" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227120"]I have a Siglent SPD 3303C[/quote]

Looks pretty good https://siglent.co.uk/product/siglent-spd3303c-programmable-dc-power-supplies/ - about the same price as the one michael suggested. Thanks

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

stanto — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:11:26 GMT

[quote userid="39730" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227112"] Protek P6035[/quote]

I'm struggling to find information on that, do you have a link?

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

stanto — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:10:32 GMT

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227111"]

PC ATX power supplies are no good for repair work.

You need a supply with adjustable voltage and current limit and continuous current and voltage monitoring.

[/quote]

People mod theirs to do so. Such like:

www.youtube.com/watch

And https://dronebotworkshop.com/atx-bench-supply/

Which is what I was referring to.

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227111"]EL301R at £253 is a good pick.[/quote]

Thanks, I'll see where I can get one from. £290 on ebay :/

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227111"]usb-pd is a specialised thing - I don't know of any adjustable bench power supply that can do usb-pd (although I think it would be nice and would probably be happy to pay for it).[/quote]

Heh for sure, figured I'd put that there for conversation at least.

I found this on my travels: https://hackaday.io/project/194295-pocketpd-usb-c-portable-bench-power-supply

www.youtube.com/watch

[quote userid="121623" url="~/technologies/power-management/f/forum/55565/recommend-a-bench-power-supply/227111"]I've been using Thurlby (Thandar et etc) bench supplies for a long, long (50years) time - the only bad word I have to say about them is the name changes, (but I suppose three in 50 years is no worse than HP - Agilent - Keysight.)[/quote]

Alright, I'll have to keep a look out for them, thank you.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

stanto — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:05:00 GMT

Thanks for the link dougw , unfortunately, I'm not a business and I think you have to be to order from there? It asks for a VAT number which I don't have - I can't see that product available on https://cpc.farnell.com

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

kmikemoo — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:17:28 GMT

If you can't decide on "the best one", just get one. It was a purchase that I put off for years. Silly me. dougw's MP710080 recommendation looks good. I went the "cheap Chinese" route that michaelkellett mentions. Maybe some day I'll win a nice one here on e14. ☺

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

strb — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:50:10 GMT

I have a Siglent SPD 3303C (the older model with 7 segment display, no need for fancy LCD display) and I'm pretty happy about it. My favourite feature is the integration of relays that allow to set the two main channels as series/parallel internally without messing up with cables.

I had some TTi supplies at work that were nice, offering 4 wire sensing as an option (can be useful sometimes).

No USB-PD for both of them.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

dougw — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:23:52 GMT

A smaller lower cost, multiple output supply is a Multicomp Pro MP710080 . (£149)

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

rsc — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:32:32 GMT

The price will always depend on the features. Voltage 0-?max?, Current 0-?max? Think about what you may need for features. There are many places that sell used equipment also. On my desk I have a Protek P6035, I've seen a bunch similar that all look the same with different names on them.

RE: Recommend a bench power supply

michaelkellett — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:27:55 GMT

PC ATX power supplies are no good for repair work.

You need a supply with adjustable voltage and current limit and continuous current and voltage monitoring.

Linear supplies are much better (generally lower noise, better transient performance with sudden changes in load.)

Make sure you get one with an output on/off switch and where you can see the current limit on the display for setting (usually when output is off).

Huge price range - look at Thurlby, Thandar (now Aim TTi) - new ones are nice:

EL301R at £253 is a good pick.

TS3021S is an older model, several on Ebay some under £60.

Some of the cheap Chinese ones aren't bad.

usb-pd is a specialised thing - I don't know of any adjustable bench power supply that can do usb-pd (although I think it would be nice and would probably be happy to pay for it).

There are power supplies (pretty much all form China and lacking detailed specs) which are, themselves powered from USB - which seems pointless unless your application needs battery power from a power bank.

I've been using Thurlby (Thandar et etc) bench supplies for a long, long (50years) time - the only bad word I have to say about them is the name changes, (but I suppose three in 50 years is no worse than HP - Agilent - Keysight.)