Author Topic: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?  (Read 23020 times)

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Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« on: August 21, 2013, 01:35:46 am »
Thinking about picking up a DC electronic load and thought Id ask here before making the purchase. I havent seen many on the market other than super expensive ones. I was kinda looking at the BK Precision 8540 LINK mostly because I have heard good things about the brand, the price was reasonable (can be had for less than $450), and I like the skinny stand up form factor. Dont really think I need anything more than 150W, but I guess if the features/build/price is right I might jump up to a 300W unit. Anything else out there I should be considering?
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Offline c4757p

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2013, 01:37:25 am »
What do you need it for? Actual power design work, or hobby stuff? Most commercial loads are quite expensive... any chance you could build your own?
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Offline wraper

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2013, 02:04:59 am »
Take a look at Maynuo and Itech which is BK Precision subsidiary. Both are excellent quality. They are almost the same, even PCB as similar BK models but price is significantly lower.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2013, 02:09:48 am by wraper »
 

Offline gbyleveldt

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2013, 04:03:03 am »
+1 on the Maynuo - I have the M9711 and it's remarkable value.
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Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2013, 04:27:33 am »
What do you need it for? Actual power design work, or hobby stuff? Most commercial loads are quite expensive... any chance you could build your own?
Mostly just playing around. But I have the money to buy a decent tool and really not interested in building my own unless the DIY route can produce a significantly better unit for less money and can look like a refined end product. :)
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Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2013, 04:28:01 am »
+1 on the Maynuo - I have the M9711 and it's remarkable value.
Okay, Ill check out the Maynuo.
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Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2013, 04:37:59 am »
Huh, found the Maynuo M9811 for about the same price as the BK Precision 8540 but its a 0-150V, 0-30A 200W unit as opposed to the BK 8540 which is only a 0-60V, 1ma-30A, 150W unit. Seems to be a better unit for the money, if its a well made product. Never heard of them, Ive at least heard of BK Precision.
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Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2013, 04:41:27 am »
Looks like there is also the Atten ATZ3710A 150W. Its a bit cheaper than the other two. How are the Atten products?
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Offline crt

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2013, 05:13:01 am »
vote Maynuo DC Load  :-+
especially if you can get them for taobao

difference between taobao price and ebay/aliexpress was fantastic  :-//
i get my M9712 (300W) version only about $350

p.s
this is full review form gerrysweeny  :)
http://gerrysweeney.com/maynuo-m9711-dc-electronic-load-unboxing-teardown-and-quick-test/

« Last Edit: August 21, 2013, 05:29:48 am by crt »
 

Offline all_repair

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2013, 06:27:02 am »
I just got another Array 3711A 300W.  First One with me for 3 years with no problem, last month when I checked, it was still best value for money.  The new version has "Sense" connectors.
 

Offline wraper

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2013, 08:06:34 am »
Atten is pretty crappy built compared to Maynuo. There are also a bunch of rebadges of it with the same look.
 

Offline g3org3

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2013, 09:16:31 am »
Got the REK RK8511, not as accurate as the BK or the Maynuo but does the job. Very happy with it for 250 Euros... (for Hobby staff that is..)
 

Offline Jay_Diddy_B

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2013, 09:16:53 am »
Hi,

I would check the specification carefully when selecting a 60V or 150V load.

The reason is that if you need high currents at low voltages the 60V unit might work better.

Here is the curve for an HP 60502B;



Other manufacturers should have similar curves.

This comes from the resistance of the MOSFETs and the shunt used in the load.
With CPU and FPGA voltages dropping to around 1V and high current this is becoming increasingly important. If you don't think you are going to test 1V supplies it is not so important.

Jay_Diddy_B
 

Offline DaveW

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2013, 10:24:22 am »
I've been using the B&K version for a few years (I'm sure it's the same as the Maynuo; I just needed it next day and that was what Farnell had in stock). It's pretty good, seems to meet its specs although slightly awkward to use. My unit has a slight drift over temperature, but nothing to worry about. The pulse response is quick, I regularly use it for 10ms pulses going from 0-5A, and it responds within around around 750us. The build quality seems reasonable although I haven't opened it up; bottom line, it seems to do the job although the 300W versions are more pleasant to use
 

Offline saturation

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2013, 04:17:38 pm »
The Atten looks like the the Array 3710a models which was extensively discussed on this forum; pictures and all.  I'm not sure I'd rank the Maynuo build quality as better than the Array, there are tear downs you can see on the forum and judge for yourself.  Did the OP check the archives?

IMHO the Array is an unusual beast; its limited in terms of what it can do as an eload but it is built like a rock, enough for Gossen Metrowatt put its brand name on it.  The Maynuo is a better choice if you need the added capabilities it has, but I think the build quality will cause it to fail sooner used frequently under full load; the Array is usually found cheaper and is the ODM under many brand names.



Atten is pretty crappy built compared to Maynuo. There are also a bunch of rebadges of it with the same look.
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline saturation

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2013, 04:21:06 pm »
all_repair, do you mean your 3711a has 'sense' connector or the newer model 3720?

If you mean the 3720, yes its a newer Array model eload but cost 2-3x than the 3710a.

I just got another Array 3711A 300W.  First One with me for 3 years with no problem, last month when I checked, it was still best value for money.  The new version has "Sense" connectors.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2013, 09:27:15 pm by saturation »
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline CarlG

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #16 on: August 21, 2013, 05:59:18 pm »
TTi LD300 might be worth a closer look.
 

Online Electro Fan

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2013, 09:23:58 pm »
vote Maynuo DC Load  :-+
especially if you can get them for taobao

difference between taobao price and ebay/aliexpress was fantastic  :-//
i get my M9712 (300W) version only about $350

p.s
this is full review form gerrysweeny  :)
http://gerrysweeney.com/maynuo-m9711-dc-electronic-load-unboxing-teardown-and-quick-test/

Another plus 1 on Maynuo  :-+

If you can get one a M9712 for anywhere near $350 that would be fantastic deal and value  :-+ :-+
(I don't know anything about taobao but if you don't need 300 watts and can live with 150 watts maybe you could cut the cost down further with Maynuo's 150 watt model)
 

Offline olsenn

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2013, 12:09:13 am »
Look into the Itech IT8511. I have one and it works quite well. 120volts/30A/150watts. It's programmable, and it's built like a brick shithouse
 

Online Electro Fan

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2013, 12:41:55 am »
Either way, regardless of brand (if it does what you want) - an electronic load might be one of the least understood / known / considered pieces of test equipment, but it definitely should be considered.
 

Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #20 on: August 22, 2013, 12:49:24 am »
vote Maynuo DC Load  :-+
especially if you can get them for taobao

difference between taobao price and ebay/aliexpress was fantastic  :-//
i get my M9712 (300W) version only about $350

p.s
this is full review form gerrysweeny  :)
http://gerrysweeney.com/maynuo-m9711-dc-electronic-load-unboxing-teardown-and-quick-test/
Please explain this taobao to me. If I could get the M9712 for that cheap I'd jump on it. Is it a website? Seller? I've never heard of it.
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Offline crt

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #21 on: August 22, 2013, 12:59:53 am »
Please explain this taobao to me. If I could get the M9712 for that cheap I'd jump on it. Is it a website? Seller? I've never heard of it.

like ebay, but in china (off course with chinese language)   ;D

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14577117671
I use forwarder to get it

Maybe you can ask help from franky (iloveelectronic)

p.s
I'm have not affiliation with both of them
and from this seller, USB connection is not included
you have to purchase separately if you needed
 

Offline ben_r_Topic starter

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2013, 02:24:08 am »
Please explain this taobao to me. If I could get the M9712 for that cheap I'd jump on it. Is it a website? Seller? I've never heard of it.

like ebay, but in china (off course with chinese language)   ;D

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14577117671
I use forwarder to get it

Maybe you can ask help from franky (iloveelectronic)

p.s
I'm have not affiliation with both of them
and from this seller, USB connection is not included
you have to purchase separately if you needed
Wow, $318USD?! I wants, gotta figure this out, def dont speak chinese...
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success!
 

Offline grego

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2013, 03:10:22 am »
Please explain this taobao to me. If I could get the M9712 for that cheap I'd jump on it. Is it a website? Seller? I've never heard of it.

like ebay, but in china (off course with chinese language)   ;D

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14577117671
I use forwarder to get it

Maybe you can ask help from franky (iloveelectronic)

p.s
I'm have not affiliation with both of them
and from this seller, USB connection is not included
you have to purchase separately if you needed
Wow, $318USD?! I wants, gotta figure this out, def dont speak chinese...

Yeah same here.
 

Online Electro Fan

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Re: Which DC Electronic Load To Get?
« Reply #24 on: August 22, 2013, 03:28:33 am »
I don't see where it gives the unit price but maybe you guys should check to see if they have quantity discounts, or special EEV pricing  :)

Let us know if anyone in the U.S. figures out how to get one delivered for anywhere near $318 !
 


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