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Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: ITman496 on March 18, 2017, 03:37:56 am

Title: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: ITman496 on March 18, 2017, 03:37:56 am
I'm looking at the GPD-3303S on ebay for roughly 140-170 shipped depending on the day.

Right now I have a Trygon HR40-5B (good luck finding any info on that) its a linear 0-40v 0-5A CC/CV power supply with analog instrumentation.  It's fairly old, with a last-cal date from its military lab it came from dating 1987. So who knows.

I love it, its a great supply, but I want a digital supply, with more then one channel.  Just to bolster my ability to do more then one thing at once.  I have a converted ATX psu for 3.3-5-12v but I dont like that if I get something wrong, that thing explodes, because no limiting current.

So I found the GW-Instek supply. It's fairly cheap and good looking!

What I want to ask, before I buy that, is.. is there any alternatives that are good, cheap, and have similar features to it? (good quality digital multi-channel, or single channel but half the cost so I can get two)

I refuse to use those generic brand 0-30v 0-3 or 5a ones with the knobs. I want something that I set the voltage with an encoder. I'm tired of very gently and gingerly adjusting a course and fine pot knob. I also really desire a digital output on-off button.

(also is this the right topic? I'm not so sure.)

Thanks!
Title: Re: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: Housedad on March 18, 2017, 03:57:47 am
If you get the 3303s, get the earlier version.   There is a very minor issue with the fixed power output (output 3) that has a voltage spike on power up on the newer model.  There is also a thread here on the issue and it has a fix for it if you think it might be a horrible problem.   I have 2 units, the older and newer used from the ITT selloff.   They both work great, and the displays are pretty dang accurate to a couple of Mv. 
Title: Re: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: Housedad on March 18, 2017, 04:01:03 am
Also, the 3303s has one encoder that does both fine and course adjustments.   You still have to fiddle with it.   Course to fine and back  is changed by pressing the encoder.
Title: Re: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: ITman496 on March 18, 2017, 04:56:32 am
Still less touchy then my current psu, though, I'm sure. It has half turn pots and they are quite sensitive..
Title: Re: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: nctnico on March 20, 2017, 06:33:34 pm
I'm torn between a used GW Instek GPD-3303S and a new GW Instek GPE-2323:
(https://www.testequity.com/Images/modelenlarged/Instek-GPE-2323-enlarged.png)
At the current Ebay prices + shipping the GPD-3303S is just as expensive for me as the GPE-2323 and the GPE-2323 has individual controls for current & voltage.
Title: Re: GW-Instek GPD-3303S alternatives
Post by: Jono427 on March 20, 2017, 06:52:00 pm
GW-Instek GPD-3303S is what I just decided to go with.  So far so good, but only had it for 2 weeks.  Still need to check mine for the spike on CH3, but output looked good.  Will have to remember tonight.