Modding a bench power supply

[josephpate]

I'm relatively new to electronics but I'm a quick learner.  I bought a bench power supply before I found Dave's videos on youtube so I ended buying the kind he warns about not buying:



It doesnt have a load switch near the output(s), and it has one of those horrible single-turn-pots that make it impossible to tune effectively.

I've been considering modding it to add the load switch since that seems relatively straightforward, but I wasnt sure about changing that pot.  Would I be able to just remove the one that's there and replace it with a good quality ten-turn-pot?  Or is there some added circuitry/wiring that distinguishes them from the single-turn variety?  Most of the images I've seen show them looking  identical to single-turn-pots, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

Thoughts? Hints? Suggestions?

[Psi]

Yep, as long as you get the same specs a single and multiturn pot are interchangeable.

The max power/current is normally a bit less with a multiturn pots. There wire is thinner because the multiturn mechanism needs more room.

However that shouldn't effect you, the power requirement for a voltage/current control pot is tiny.

[Monkeh]

The max power/current is normally a bit less with a multiturn pots. There wire is thinner because the multiturn mechanism needs more room.

Not if you're comparing with the average carbon pot. 10-turn pots are normally rated 2W or more. Carbon pots top out at half a watt.

[josephpate]

Alright so what type/brand of pot would you recommend?  Also how would I figure out what type of pot is in the p.s. currently?  take it out and hope it has a model number stamped on it?

[pickle9000]

Bournes makes excellent multi turn pots
The pots should be marked but can be measured.

Pay attention to details.

- take a pic or write down the hookup
- will the new pot fit, is it going to hit anything?
- will the knob fit?

...mike

[josephpate]

The knobs on the thing are shit anyway and i'm probably going to replace them too, so no worries on that account.

Will probably tackle this project over the weekend, so wish me luck.

[T4P]

Well it will definitely probably be like B100K, maybe another number but heck.
B = Linear
A = Log
As if power applications will use linear pots ... in fact i believe log pots are going away

[FenderBender]

At the low resistance settings (I believe), the wattage rating usually drops a bit.

Bourns makes good ones, however....I've found that the Vishay/Spectrol 10-turn pots actually have better specs than a comparably priced Bourns pots.

[Monkeh]

At the low resistance settings (I believe), the wattage rating usually drops a bit.

Bourns makes good ones, however....I've found that the Vishay/Spectrol 10-turn pots actually have better specs than a comparably priced Bourns pots.

I don't know about the modern Vishay ones, but the old Spectrols are indestructible.

[FenderBender]

I think they have to be the same if not very similar. I think the only real difference is the Vishay name slapped on it. It's a good pot. Might take one apart one day.

[josephpate]

Should've known this wouldn't be easy.  It looks like the pot is soldered to the PCB and there's not much room to add a load switchon the banana output (at least not the way I wanted to)

May have to back-burner this one for now.