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Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: LeoUCDavis on October 05, 2018, 08:20:23 pm

Title: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: LeoUCDavis on October 05, 2018, 08:20:23 pm
Hi all

I'm a university instructor and I teaching a project based course. I want the students to be able to carry out some experiments outside of the classroom and I think a small power supply would come in very handy. So my question for the forum is whether there is such a portable lab supply available for sale. My basic requirements are

* powered by USB, an ac adapter, or batteries
* provide 0-12V output voltage, 1A max (I know a USB port is not likely to provide 12V, we can relax the current capability at >5V)
* it would be great it can be plugged into a breadboard, ie, have pin headers that are breadboard compatible.

Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: ogden on October 05, 2018, 08:45:04 pm
Hi all

I'm a university instructor and I teaching a project based course. I want the students to be able to carry out some experiments outside of the classroom and I think a small power supply would come in very handy. So my question for the forum is whether there is such a portable lab supply available for sale. My basic requirements are

* powered by USB, an ac adapter, or batteries
* provide 0-12V output voltage, 1A max (I know a USB port is not likely to provide 12V, we can relax the current capability at >5V)
* it would be great it can be plugged into a breadboard, ie, have pin headers that are breadboard compatible.

Thanks everyone!

This one seems to match your requirements, thou voltmeter needed for adjustment:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1330096888/breadboard-power-supply-33v-5v-adjustable-12v-21v/description (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1330096888/breadboard-power-supply-33v-5v-adjustable-12v-21v/description)

Very popular 3v & 5v fixed breadboard regulator (just one of many offers):

https://www.ebay.com/p/Mb102-Breadboard-Power-Supply-Module-3-3v-5v-for-Arduino-Bread-Board/2254274325 (https://www.ebay.com/p/Mb102-Breadboard-Power-Supply-Module-3-3v-5v-for-Arduino-Bread-Board/2254274325)

Sparkfun have such as well (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13032)
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: Doogs on October 05, 2018, 10:12:16 pm
Thanks Ogden:

I was planning on building something like this but for $2.40 for 3 boards I figured what the heck.
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: ogden on October 05, 2018, 10:32:23 pm
Thanks Ogden:

I was planning on building something like this but for $2.40 for 3 boards I figured what the heck.

Two more cents: in case you need different than 3v or 5v voltage, search for "mini adjustable DC-DC buck". Pin pitch usually is compatible with breadboard




Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: LeoUCDavis on October 06, 2018, 12:05:33 am
Thanks Ogden. The first one looks perfect. Where can I buy 10 of them for my class?

I have quite a few of the second one. They work great at <5V, but I really something in the 9-12V range.

Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: LeoUCDavis on October 06, 2018, 12:07:40 am
Is the first one (Kickstarter) an open source design?
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: ogden on October 06, 2018, 07:00:53 am
Is the first one (Kickstarter) an open source design?

Sorry, I have no idea. Most likely you shall try to reach author. I check crowdfunding EE projects mostly for fun. Reading this thread recalled about mentioned supply
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: Nusa on October 06, 2018, 08:21:18 am
Is the first one (Kickstarter) an open source design?

Sorry, I have no idea. Most likely you shall try to reach author. I check crowdfunding EE projects mostly for fun. Reading this thread recalled about mentioned supply

He provides the schematic on the product page (the address printed on the circuit board):
http://www.inviot.com/bp1/ (http://www.inviot.com/bp1/)

There's nothing exceptionally special about it. He takes a 5V input, feeds it into a boost module to get VMax, then feeds it into a buck module to get VAdj. The only advantage of doing it that way is so you can dial in voltages under 5V on VAdj. There's also a separate LM1117-3.3 for 3.3V. The rest is just support components and layout details.

You can buy cheap ready-made modules based on the same chips if you want. Search for "XL6009E1 module" and "LM2596S module". You'll probably find about the same circuits as the kickstarter on those.
Title: Re: USB power lab power supply module
Post by: LeoUCDavis on October 06, 2018, 06:40:18 pm
Thanks!

Maybe I can make some boards for my students on my own.

Leo