Setting up production. Any opinions about TDK Lamda power supplies?

[bkochis]

Hello all,
I am starting a business and determing the equipment for the 'testing' benches.  I will be manufacturing solar micro inverters. 

I am looking at TDK Lambda power supplies, specifically the Genesys 60-12.5 (750w, 60v, 12.5a) rack mounted unit.  I will need six of these units and the abiltiy to automate the testing environment, which equals about $5,000 USD.

I am wondering if anyone has opinions about the quality of the product, reputation of manufacturer, etc...
Thanks you.

[Neilm]

I have used a TDK supply in the past, but it was one of the PCB mounted mains converters. Basically, a block that goes onto the PCB.  It has been in production about 18 months and has had no problem that I am aware of. It managed to pass all the EMC tests without any issues once the manufactures recommendations had been followed.

Yours

Neil

[nukie]

Where are you located? Have a look at Xantrex as well.

Are you looking for overall brand reliability or just the specific model what you listed?

What you really want is onsite support. How fast is the turn around service. Usually they can provide on site swap and go of the same model. So you will be able to continue with you job while your equipment is being sorted out.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I often spec TDK-Lambda's lower end mains PSUs - nicely made and well priced - they also havce decent warranty periods - a useful measure of a manufacturer's confidence in their products.

[DaveW]

I have used the TK rackmount units, they have been reliable and the performance like ripple has always been well within spec (although we don't really stress them). I'd certainly have no qualms in recommending the units from a quality pov.
It's also worth looking at units from http://www.kikusui.co.jp/en/index.html which have loads of bells and whistles, or from http://etps.co.uk/ which are pretty low cost, and then you add on the options you need

[McMonster]

Good to hear, we've got some of TDK Lambda PSUs at work that will be powering PLCs. We used standard ATX PSUs until now and I can count how many times I've been having problems with them.

[bkochis]

Where are you located? Have a look at Xantrex as well.

Are you looking for overall brand reliability or just the specific model what you listed?

Nukie,
I am located in New Jersey, USA.  I was looking at TDK Lambda as they are a 1 hour ride from the office.  Can't ask for much closer than that.  I had looked at Xantrex, but since Schneider Electrical bought them the product line is a little discombobulated. 

DaveW, Thank you for the other 2 recommendations.  I sent an RFQ to ETPS and let's see what happens.  I also looked at the Kikusui website.  They are a little pricey for my tastes, but you get what you pay for. 

All, one of the features that I liked about TDK Lambda was that I would be able to control a number of supplies (up to 31) without buying a separate 'controller'.  All of the PS can be controlled from a single computer via ICI-com (I think I have the protocol right).

My intent is to script the various settings from the PSU's and then for the test points I built into the inverters.  Compare the in's and out's and have PASS/FAIL display on a computer monitor.  I already know C programming and some other scripting languages (Perl) so I should be able to make this function. 

I will continue to post my results (rfq responses, etc) as the project moves along.  Hopefully this will help someone out in the future.

6:00pm
I received the quote from ETPS for a 60v, 12.5a, 750 watt supply.  The price was $1592 USD, plus shipping and VAT (20%).  The VAT is approx. $319 USD.  The quote included the supply, a 19" adapter for rack mounting and $10 for an analog interface.  The analog interface allows 5 units to be controlled. 

[guitarman430]

The protocol is IVI. See the LINK for the spec; http://www.ivifoundation.org/specifications/default.aspx

Where are you located? Have a look at Xantrex as well.

Are you looking for overall brand reliability or just the specific model what you listed?

Nukie,
I am located in New Jersey, USA.  I was looking at TDK Lambda as they are a 1 hour ride from the office.  Can't ask for much closer than that.  I had looked at Xantrex, but since Schneider Electrical bought them the product line is a little discombobulated. 

DaveW, Thank you for the other 2 recommendations.  I sent an RFQ to ETPS and let's see what happens.  I also looked at the Kikusui website.  They are a little pricey for my tastes, but you get what you pay for. 

All, one of the features that I liked about TDK Lambda was that I would be able to control a number of supplies (up to 31) without buying a separate 'controller'.  All of the PS can be controlled from a single computer via ICI-com (I think I have the protocol right).

My intent is to script the various settings from the PSU's and then for the test points I built into the inverters.  Compare the in's and out's and have PASS/FAIL display on a computer monitor.  I already know C programming and some other scripting languages (Perl) so I should be able to make this function. 

I will continue to post my results (rfq responses, etc) as the project moves along.  Hopefully this will help someone out in the future.

6:00pm
I received the quote from ETPS for a 60v, 12.5a, 750 watt supply.  The price was $1592 USD, plus shipping and VAT (20%).  The VAT is approx. $319 USD.  The quote included the supply, a 19" adapter for rack mounting and $10 for an analog interface.  The analog interface allows 5 units to be controlled.

[Psi]

is 'TDK Lambda'  the same as 'Coutant Lambda'  ?

I have an old Lambda  - Omega MML400 powersupply and it's built like a tank.
400W total power and has the following modules installed (it has 4 bays all isolated)
25A @ 2-6V adjustable
12A @ 5-15V adjustable
12A @ 5-15V adjustable (another one)
6A dual 5-15V and 5-15V adjustable

The fan is pretty loud though, but its an industrial supply, not really meant for a lab.