Products > Test Equipment
Is there a better power supply option for $700?
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JJ_023:

--- Quote from: jjoonathan on January 03, 2024, 09:02:10 pm ---I went a different path and fixed the channel coloring on the GPP-4323 with markers. Two years later, I still love this little supply!



--- End quote ---

Thank you for that.  It's not a bad idea but I am fairly familiar with industrial paint and paint composites.  Markal sells a paint marker specifically for oily metal that basically writes on anything and is very tenacious.  Sometimes it's difficult to get off even with acetone.  The downside is it takes a little bit of time for it to dry which makes it very prone to smearing.  Long time being roughly 5 minutes.
JJ_023:

--- Quote from: flano on January 03, 2024, 09:23:51 pm ---I purchased a GPP-4323 and it worked ok for a couple of days and then stopped booting. I received a replacement unit from Element 14 and straight out of the box did the same thing. Both units were sent back to Element 14 and then to GW Instek and were unable to be repaired. I wasn't provided any further info on the fault.

Apart from the fault, I liked the GPP-4323, four outputs and good accuracy, but wasn't willing to try my luck with a third unit.

I ended up buying a DP932E and I'm very happy with it. Touch screen is nice.

Hope this helps you in your decision.

Mike. VK4MWL.

--- End quote ---

Thank you for the data point.  What is something that you don't like about the Rigol?  I've considered that unit as well.
JJ_023:

--- Quote from: points2 on January 03, 2024, 09:40:38 pm ---hi JJ_023,

--- Quote from: JJ_023 on January 03, 2024, 04:17:31 pm ---I am doing some research into purchasing a power supply.  I've narrowed it down to Instek GPP-4323 (LAN)
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this one ? => https://eleshop.eu/gw-instek-gpp-4323-programmable-power-supply.html
nice gear...

--- Quote from: JJ_023 on January 03, 2024, 04:17:31 pm ---I need a power supply for basic general needs and for learning basic electronics stuff.
--- End quote ---
Honestly, I don't have any benchtop PS, because I'm dealing with voltages below 5VDC at PCB level.
So,
- for "learning basic electronics stuff" => I can't see the point to use any benchtop PS given their noise. I prefer my current setup : various SMPS (dead cheap), to deliver 3.3 / 5 / 9VDC => followed by a linear module (based on LT3045), with adj. Vout. With that, I get dead clean Vout thanks to the linear module (Vajd, thus, I can get what I need...). ICs need that kind of PS : no ripple, and able to match their transients.
- for "basic general needs" => having a couple of Meanwell (@ 25eur each), that deliver high A & 1 or 2 output voltage => far enough, & cheap vs any benchtop PS
A "all-in-one" PS for gen.purpose (=apple) AND investigations at PCB level (=caviar  :palm:) => it doesn't exist

If you need to "learn" about electronics (that what you says ; given that I'm a noob although I'm climbing the learning curve... a never ending story that hobby  :-DD ),
please explain what instrument you have... there is maybe a better investment to do prior to a costly PS (VNA / SA / soldiering station / microscope / ... many ways to spend money & learn about EE).
My 2 cents.

PS : just my view vs PS, I'm a nice guy, don't bite please !  :)

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You are a nice guy so thanks for the contribution.  That is the exact supply I am referring to in your link.

I understand what you are trying to do with guiding me to possibly a better purchase decision for an overall EE set up.   I am pretty set on my next purchase being a power supply and I would like a fairly decent one. 

Besides EE just being able to charge batteries, utilize a temporary replacement for a broken wall wart I can't find, to testing small servos to troubleshooting, repair with voltage injection and current limiting.
JJ_023:

--- Quote from: Antonio90 on January 03, 2024, 10:03:44 pm ---I have a GW Instek, a GPD-4303S. It works quite well as a psu, reasonably precise, stable, and reliable OCP and OVP, but cannot show the settings of more than two channels at once on the screen, and you have to turn on/of all channels at once. This last flaw is, by far, the worst.

If I were to buy another PSU right now, it would probably be the one you are considering. There is custom firmware in this forum for the GPP, which improves readback speed, and accuracy? Can't recall right now.

I would have a look at AIM-TTI supplies. They are also really precise, with sense terminals on the front, and simple interfaces. More expensive for the same features, and I don't think you will get two quadrant supplies for that budget outside of the GPP. The MX series from TTI look quite nice though.

--- End quote ---

Thank you for taking the time to respond.  Not being able to show more than 2 channels at the same time might be a nuisance in certain occasions I don't particularly see that as that big of a nuisance.  Can you control this on a PC screen?

If I understand you correctly that is a big PITA.  I see 4 buttons for channels.  What are they for if you can't turn them on and off independently? 

I don't necessarily need the 4 channels but it is an appealing feature.  I am not familiar with that particular brand I will have to do a little bit of research.  Do you have a specific model you would recommend without getting into a different price bracket?
Veteran68:

--- Quote from: points2 on January 03, 2024, 09:40:38 pm ---If you need to "learn" about electronics (that what you says ; given that I'm a noob although I'm climbing the learning curve... a never ending story that hobby  :-DD ),
please explain what instrument you have... there is maybe a better investment to do prior to a costly PS (VNA / SA / soldiering station / microscope / ... many ways to spend money & learn about EE).

--- End quote ---

I'd have to disagree. After maybe a good DMM (or two, preferably) and a soldering iron, maybe an oscilloscope depending on what you do, I'd consider a bench PSU to be the next must-have for any aspiring hobbyist. It's one of my most used and useful tools. I use it way more than my scopes. In fact I often use more than one at a time. My Siglent 3303X has 3 channels but can only output 3.2A on a single channel. I can parallel two channels to get 6A, but then that takes both variable channels and leaves me with a 3rd channel that can only do 2.5v/3v/5v.

Why do I sometimes need more than 3A? Or even 6A? I work on laptops and sometimes need to power the laptop from a bench supply. Most modern laptops take 20V3A at a minimum for a simple business laptop, and up to 10-12A for workstation or gaming laptops (180-240W). So I have a 30V10A supply wired up with a universal power plug set that I can use to power a laptop or pretty much any consumer device up to 30V10A.

I also have a Tekpower 30V5A linear PSU that I don't really use on the bench anymore but will grab and take with me if I need a PSU somewhere else.

Maybe if all you do is simple microcontroller breadboard designs that could basically get away with a very low voltage/amp supply or even a battery pack or two, then I could concede the point. But if you do any sort of repair or troubleshooting of consumer electronics, you're going to need more than an ultra-low power supply pretty quickly.
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