Bench PSU options?

[crashtest84]

I'm taking an EE class this summer as a distance course and we're required to buy an Elenco XP581. I'd rather make sure to get a PSU that I'll want to use long after the course is over and I've seen positive reviews on the KORAD KA3305D. Any suggestions on what might make one better than the other? Other options?

[Shock]

The Elenco is a quad supply but very limited features and three of the outputs fixed.

The Korad is a triple supply and looks digitally controlled with one output fixed. It also seems to have parallel and series mode plus should be able to be configured for combined positive and negative voltages. There is a usb and serial interface on the rear. So quite a few more features, and from reading seriously small manual the current can be set and also configured to turn off the output if a specific current is exceeded.

You're only really going to get caught out if you're asked to supply +5 +12 -12 and some other voltage all at once. I would say if you have a spare PC power supply handy and the Korad you could account for most situations.

[grifftech]

how about this?

[mikerj]

You really ought to sleeve all those soldered connections.  It currently looks like a loosely assembled pile of future short circuits.

[crashtest84]

Awesome. I do have one or two PC power supplies laying around somewhere so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks!