EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
EEVblog => EEVblog Specific => Topic started by: blackjames on September 09, 2012, 08:27:03 am
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hey guys, is Dave going to sell the uSupply as a kit soon. i really want one, because my manson power supply isn't quite adequate.
I'm sure others would buy one too.
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from his video of the dfn soldering i am almost certain he is going to sell it as a straight product like his ucurrent (thats why all the smd) as for how long it takes to get to a selling point only he would know,
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i thought that board in the qfn soldering tutorial looked like the uSupply
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From talking to Dave today, that's the plan, to sell it as a complete product. Still, being OSHW there's nothing to stop you building up a board yourself.
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cool. ill save my money up then
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Is there a target launch date of any sort?
Do you reckon it would be available before years end?
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I still have to write the software, test it, probably do a revision of some sort. Then maybe build a pilot run and get it production ready, then maybe do the Pozzible video etc and get the crowd funding etc.
Your guess is as good as mine...
Dave.
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I still have to write the software, test it, probably do a revision of some sort. Then maybe build a pilot run and get it production ready, then maybe do the Pozzible video etc and get the crowd funding etc.
Your guess is as good as mine...
Dave.
FUNDING??!!! I thought you did this for free??!!
;D ;D ;D
(Couldn't resist sorry, I've been watching the tightass trolls on Twitter losing their minds at you!)
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I still have to write the software, test it, probably do a revision of some sort. Then maybe build a pilot run and get it production ready, then maybe do the Pozzible video etc and get the crowd funding etc.
Your guess is as good as mine...
Dave.
Dave, Are you collecting names or just a count of folks that would like to purchase the usupply? A simple count could be used as the basis for a crowdfunding as in " I have XXX people who have already expressed interest in purchasing......"
Just a thought.
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Hello!
It is really interesting to observe how uSupply project is developing.
It really like the project page, where all basic specifications and scematic is in one place. Really can not do open development of project in forum only, as I have seen often. There just has to be one owner of the project who dictates the specifications and makes design choices. If the schematic is fixed, it may happen that people in the forums help to get the project finished sooner (and with lower cost). Specially if the project documentation is good enough and some version of board layout and early software version is already available, so that it is possible to already build and test something. Better of cource if layout is suitable for home making.
Dave, can you add links to forum topics about the uSupply to the main project page? So that it would be clear where is the right place to discuss about. Just wandering...
Also looking forward to see your solution with rotary encoders. Is it going to be speed dependent algorithm... it must be.
I am currently researcing about using rotary encoders. Speed dependent algorithms make them feel very much better!
I'm using PIC and assembler, but it does not matter, algorithm can be implemented in different programming languages.
May be add this to Spec sheet also?
Regards,
Teemo
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I am very interested in getting my hands on one of these... Very handy for my kitchen table lab :-)
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I am very interested in getting my hands on one of these...
So am I! ;D
Dave.
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There are already some versions out in the net developed form some revision of Dave's design.
For example: http://qwertyboydesign.wordpress.com/projects-2/digital-psu/ (http://qwertyboydesign.wordpress.com/projects-2/digital-psu/) I do not know if the person who made this layout, have shared it in here forums. Also unclear if he has made firmware.
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As my first post, I'll add my voice in cheering Dave along on this project. Looks awesome, and would love to build a usupply kit in 2013 :)
:-+
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As my first post, I'll add my voice in cheering Dave along on this project. Looks awesome, and would love to build a usupply kit in 2013 :)
It won't be a kit. There is just no place for an SMD kit of this sort.
Of course, if you really want, I might sell you a blank PCB and you can go for your life.
Dave.
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I honestly believe this is nonsense. I have almost no experience with SMD soldering and I would not hesitate to buy a uSupply kit.
But hey... instead of arguing why not voting ? You can make a poll in the forum so we can vote if we would buy a pcb at $x, a kit at $y or a device at $z... (all being reasonable prices I would buy a kit)
As my first post, I'll add my voice in cheering Dave along on this project. Looks awesome, and would love to build a usupply kit in 2013 :)
It won't be a kit. There is just no place for an SMD kit of this sort.
Of course, if you really want, I might sell you a blank PCB and you can go for your life.
Dave.
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I honestly believe this is nonsense. I have almost no experience with SMD soldering and I would not hesitate to buy a uSupply kit.
The question is how much extra over the cost of an assembled board are you prepared to pay for a kit? Twice as much?
Assembling kits along with all the documentation is a lot of work and smd would make it probably be more work then through-hole components.
Then there is all the requests for missing parts because someone did not realize they dropped a smd resistor onto the carpet. I assume you would expect Dave to pay for the cost of shipping missing parts? It is very expensive to post items internationally from Australia.
Would you expect Dave to be able to supply lost or damaged components at a reasonable price? Would $30 for a single smd resistor + postage be a fair price or would you be expecting Dave to do it for $3?
Then how many kits would never work? If Dave sold kits and half of them never worked, it would not be a good result, no matter how well meaning people are. If he sells assembled and tested boards, then 100% of purchasers will receive working boards.
Would you expect Dave to answer emails about how to fix a non-working µSupply board, or even to offer a service to repair a board? Usually when a kit company offers a send-it-in-for-repair service, they just replace the unfixable mess from the customer with a properly assembled board and in this case, the kit price may have to include the cost of a replacement assembled board right from the start.
Richard.
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The question is how much extra over the cost of an assembled board are you prepared to pay for a kit? Twice as much?
The cost to machine assemble a board would be less than the cost to kit up the components (i.e. cut them from tapes, label, bag etc.)
I may supply it almost fully assembled. i.e. just solder the connectors and battery holder on and assemble the case. All the SMD parts come soldered on.
Dave.
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I agree that kits are probably a bad idea. However, bare PCBs would be nice. I would actually like to give soldering one of those a try.
...but only if there is enough interest to make a plain PCB worthwhile as a separate item.
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...but only if there is enough interest to make a plain PCB worthwhile as a separate item.
Plain PCB's aren't much of a hassle, as you can usually slip them international post as letter with no customs form.
I would not expect much call for it though.
Dave.
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The cost to machine assemble a board would be less than the cost to kit up the components (i.e. cut them from tapes, label, bag etc.)
[...]
Dave.
wooooow ! I didn't knew nor imagined that !
thanks for explaining.
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I would really like to get this as a kit!
With all these soldering videos from Dave, I want to try some smd soldering :)
But as he already said... unfortunately there will be no kit :(
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If Dave is offering the schematics of that µSupply later on like with the µCurrent anyone should be able to do their own PCBs and have it manufactured by some company in whatever country. No matter whether you want SMD or Through-Hole parts. ;-)
I am curious about the videos later on. I think the supply itself is a nice thing but learning how to actually build and design it is the part I'm interested in. ;-) There are round about a dozen videos for this supply already but I WANT MORE!! ;-)
Dave: Keep on the nice work!
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Dave, what will be the price for shipping only the uSupply PCB to europe in an letter envelope? Just wondering :)
Anyway, thanks for all the amazing videos! :-+
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I start the build of my own version of this machine:
http://vpapanik.blogspot.gr/2012/11/low-budget-manual-pick-place.html (http://vpapanik.blogspot.gr/2012/11/low-budget-manual-pick-place.html)
It seems to work very well in the video.
Maybe with help of this machine, the SMD kit would be a great idea.
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Dave would i be right to guess that there is a new revision of the schematic floating around? or have you only mainly been tweaking minor components and layout since rev c?, my own variant still faces some minor issues and am curious as to how you have resolved them seeing as the issues should be very similar, (stability and minimum output, not to mention dac accuracy and low currents)
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See here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/usupply-usb-rev-b-update/msg182964/#msg182964 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/usupply-usb-rev-b-update/msg182964/#msg182964)
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Most interesting thing will be the videos showing what Dave changed in the design and what issues he came along. ;)
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is this still going anywhere or did i miss the product release?
i would love to get an adjustable bench supply!
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Hi,
I took almost the whole easter weekend to follow all 11 parts of the videos.
Only following them is really hard.
Dave said several times "it's easy - trust me", or "it's a piece of cake" while
I got crazy in my brain.
But after each video i got caught by this uspply.
I was never ever that much busy in understanding a power supply (on my low level)
So PLEASE Dave - sell the blank PCB (maybe togehter with the programmed chip :-) )
All guys here in this Forum are making me a little afraid. My knowledge level is so much
lower that yours...
But I will work on it!
One more time: Please sell the PCB.
Great videos!!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!
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I also spent the better part of Easter watching/listening to Dave's thorough videos which is what got me hooked. However, I think he should take the time he needs to complete the project. I would just encourage this cool design stuff to take precedence over the teardown stuff. However, I think I heard Dave say his teardown videos receive more views (which would make sense; a broader spectrum so easier to find by random on YouTube and easier to digest).
In any event, count me in as another guy prepared to throw money at Dave when the first uSupply batch becomes available. :-+
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Come on Dave, make a quick follow up of the psu. Just a teaser one so we can see how it´s going!!!!
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I'm afraid that this will take much longer than we would like to have.
Dave is obviously that heavily occupied by the work for the blog
that the uSupply has to "wait".
I assume that there was much more work on the way to rev C that we
saw in the videos. It took surely much more time than we could see.
The needed work to the final status will probably also not be "a piece of cake".
( I like this phrase ;-) ).
But lets be patient - even if it's hard...
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I just started reading/watching up on this. Nice one! But it's kind of sad (a real bummer, to be plain) that the project page (http://www.eevblog.com/projects/usupply/ (http://www.eevblog.com/projects/usupply/)) is so 'unmaintained'. It doesn't even link to all the existing videos yet, but it does seem to have a rev. C schematic.
Not to mention the lack of additional resources required for the Open Source Hardware Logo (software, pcb, sources for the design)... I would really like to see some progress on this, maybe even get some help from the community by making more stuff available...
Just my €0.02.
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In any event, count me in as another guy prepared to throw money at Dave when the first uSupply batch becomes available. :-+
Me too,
depending on the result it'd be interesting for me
- to get that thing
or
- to get a plain pcb (which is cheaper for delivery)
or
- just donate some money and order a pcb + parts myself
and i want to tweak the Software a bit :D
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New viewer and hobbyist here and just wanted to throw my support behind this project/product.
After watching the design process through Rev C and the case design all those videos ago, I was really disappointed to look up the project page for the uSupply and see it apparently abandoned. As others have mentioned, selling this kit through Sparkfun/Adafruit might be viable since they have far more visibility in the *very* amateur electronics segment - I've been messing around with Arduino stuff for the last couple of years and they're still a regular site that I check in with for new project ideas and products.
At any rate, awesome blog and I look forward to continuing watching! I'm a software engineer by day, so if there's any way I can contribute, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Justin
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I start the build of my own version of this machine:
http://vpapanik.blogspot.gr/2012/11/low-budget-manual-pick-place.html (http://vpapanik.blogspot.gr/2012/11/low-budget-manual-pick-place.html)
It seems to work very well in the video.
Maybe with help of this machine, the SMD kit would be a great idea.
I just want to get my hands on the guy that put that pop out menu on the left that interferes with reaching the scroll bar, and the feedback button that covers the down arrow!
My laptop doesn't have a scroll wheel... |O
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Hi Dave,
are there any news regarding this supply?
Please let us know...
Thanks!!!
Regards
Ronald
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I'm also interested to see any updates on the project.
If it is possible to buy a blank pcb of the uSupply or even get the files for pcb manufacturing then please let us know.
best regards
Juergen
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I'm just wondering about EMC.
Would the uSupply be classed as a test equipment and therefore be exempt from the standard?
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I'm just wondering about EMC.
Would the uSupply be classed as a test equipment and therefore be exempt from the standard?
I would think so, it is certainly not a standard retail power supply.
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Happy new year 2015, Dave.
Plain PCB's aren't much of a hassle, as you can usually slip them international post as letter with no customs form.
I would not expect much call for it though.
Dave.
Dave: I believe there is still a lot of interest in this :-+ µSupply project and I would like to see it finished and available to buy it for hobbyists in some form (plain PCB, partly assembled or even as a finished product: your choice).
Peter Funk (from Germany).
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Hello Dave,
the uSupply is a very good project, all we need is a pcb and the latest firmware. Or are there still any issues that have to be solved?
regards
Jürgen Brenner (Austria)
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Hello, is there a version of the code for this anywhere?
I started working on a power supply of my own controlled by an Arduino and would love to take a look at some of the code for the uSupply.
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Hello!
I'd like to bring this topic up again.
Is it possible to publish the (latest) firmware for the arduino and the files for the PCB?
Thanks!
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I'd like to bring this topic up again.
Is it possible to publish the (latest) firmware for the arduino and the files for the PCB?
Sorry but I don't like to release unfinished firmware or PCB files.
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I'd like to bring this topic up again.
Is it possible to publish the (latest) firmware for the arduino and the files for the PCB?
Sorry but I don't like to release unfinished firmware or PCB files.
I volunteer to write the firmware. I'm really good at that (honest!)
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Is there any plan to finish the project? I really enjoyed the series and would love to see it come to an end
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OK Dave; here's another micro manage, but I think I can save you another chip:
Idea #1 - save a chip:
1) make the rotary encoder a turn/push one, this saves a button (I know, but not IO at this point), and use the button to flip between modes: Voltage/Current, one other button for load on/off. By reducing to a single control; you save space, and already your front panel is pretty busy. Now you've gone from two rotary encoders and 5 buttons, to one rotary encoder/button + one stand alone button, saving front panel space and 6 IO pins
2) drive the RGB off the same lines used for MISO/MOSI/SCK. Who cares if your LCD flickers when you program the chip (3 more saved IO pins). (see radical idea below to remove Ethernet requirement from these pins)
Nine IO pins saved, No need to an IO expander
Radical Idea #2.
It's a cordless power supply, but has corded Ethernet? in the words of a famous EE from down under: "FAIL!"
Use an Electric Imp to provide wireless ethernet if you want it (i2C)
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Hi!
One question about the EPOT used for setting the voltage divider of the boost converter:
In the Rev. C schematic MCP4017T-104E/LT is listed, that would be a 100k type.
To get the right values it should be 5k, as stated in the little yellow box above.
I think the correct type would then be a MCP4017T-502.
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Hi again!
I've put the part with the LM358's and the LT3083 on the breadboard now, for voltage/current setting I'm using potentiometers for the first try, but I think there are some issues.
One of them seems to be U12A, because the voltage at it's output (pin 1) isn't equal to it's input (pin 3). I think the reason is that the opamp is no rail to rail type. I think there are two options:
1.) give the opamps a slightly higher voltage supply than the rest
2.) Use rail to rail opamp, does anybody know a compatible type that would fit?
My next problem is that there is an output voltage of about 0,7V on pin 7 of U12B even with no input voltage. Maybe this is caused by different resistors (I used 1% resistors with wires for the first try because the 0805 resistors don't fit on the breadbord), but I think the problem is also the LM358, it seems that this type is also not capable of switching down to 0V.
Any suggestions?
I think I've to get the analog part working first, before I try to add all the digital control to it.
Setting a voltage seems to work (down to about 140mV without a load), but only if I disconnect current limiting because of the reasons above.
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Any suggestions?
Some of the problems with RevD have been mention in threads on this site. I'd say search, but I can't never find anything here either!