Power supply recommendation

[maginnovision]

The 832 can be unlocked though. You can even unlock the multi color display if you need it.

[drummerdimitri]

The 832 can be unlocked though. You can even unlock the multi color display if you need it.

I know it can. Where did you read about the multi color display unlock? Is this an option from Rigol or some hack?

[TurboTom]

Here you go: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/need-help-hacking-dp832-for-multicolour-option/msg2320485/#msg2320485

[drummerdimitri]

I'm actually seriously considering getting a Keysight E36233A 400W power supply even though it is over twice my budget 

Only reason is I can see it as a good long term investment and this unit should last me well over 20 years of use so might as well go all out.

It's exactly what I'm looking for except for the weird looking high current binding posts. The E36232A has regular banana/spade binding posts so how would I use all my aligator clips with the E36232A?

[JxR]

It's exactly what I'm looking for except for the weird looking high current binding posts. The E36232A has regular banana/spade binding posts so how would I use all my aligator clips with the E36232A?

I would just make up some custom cables for whatever you need.  Also, contact Keysight or a distributor and see if you can get a demo of the unit you are interested in.  When you are buying new stuff at these sorts of prices you really should consider opening a dialogue with these companies before purchasing.  Getting to demo the unit, or possibly getting a discount are real possibilities sometimes if you just ask.

As an example, I personally contacted Tektronix, explained what I wanted and who I am.  Now I am getting a full educational discount for new purchases of Keithley products as a current university student (28% off new gear).  So, you never know what they can offer you until you ask.

[nctnico]

I'm actually seriously considering getting a Keysight E36233A 400W power supply even though it is over twice my budget 

Well you probably end up buying that...

The E36233A has two channels. This seems more versatile to me.

[thm_w]

Only reason is I can see it as a good long term investment and this unit should last me well over 20 years of use so might as well go all out.

I mean if you want it thats fine, but lasting 20 years is hardly a good reason. You could get 6 rigol DP832's for that price, a new one every 3-4 years.

[nctnico]

Only reason is I can see it as a good long term investment and this unit should last me well over 20 years of use so might as well go all out.

I mean if you want it thats fine, but lasting 20 years is hardly a good reason. You could get 6 rigol DP832's for that price, a new one every 3-4 years.

That is one way of looking at it. But then again the Rigol DP832 doesn't really have an edge over any older 3 channel PSU you can buy from Ebay. Last year I bought the E36313A power supply; what made me pull the trigger is the low current measurement feature. That gives you a very good view on how much current a circuit draws without needing an extra DMM. So you need to add the value of 2 good DMMs to the Keysight PSU as well.

[thm_w]

That is one way of looking at it. But then again the Rigol DP832 doesn't really have an edge over any older 3 channel PSU you can buy from Ebay. Last year I bought the E36313A power supply; what made me pull the trigger is the low current measurement feature. That gives you a very good view on how much current a circuit draws without needing an extra DMM. So you need to add the value of 2 good DMMs to the Keysight PSU as well.

Yeah for sure that is a useful feature, to be able to read low uA's. I see one sold for $1,400 which is reasonable.
The readback accuracy is quite average at the higher ranges, 5mV and 3mA, but low range is good, 80uA.

[drummerdimitri]

I forgot to mention that an energy (mAh/Wh) reading would be a hell of nice thing to have. Any of the power supplies mentioned have such functionality?

[JxR]

The only models I know for sure that include this info on their display is:

Rhode&Schwartz NGL200 series (Wh)
Keithley 2281s-20-6 (mAh)

I don't think either of these units would be a good fit for what you described as your use case.  A good amount of power supplies that have logging features though would allow you to calculate these values yourself after the fact though.

The newer Keithley DMMs can be scripted to provide this info on the display as well, but that obviously is an additional expense over the power supply (but... DMM6500/7510 have nice graphing abilities if you really want to see accurate current consumption).  Much better than any power supply I've seen outside of Keysight's drool worthy N6705 DC Power Analyzer. 

[sn4k3]

Sorry to took this thread, but this fit me too.
Today my non programmable PSU (2x30V/5A) died, kind of, it auto set to max voltage 53V alone and killed expensive fan that were connected when accident happens. Reboot, turn knobs to 0 does nothing, PSU is 32V per channel and is acting like series, and it really output that voltage to CH2, even the probes are not in series configuration. Anyway the PSU got fire +/- two years ago, since then i use it to spare money but now is the time for refresh.

My needs are at least good programable 30V 5A, the 3A will not suit me and dislike to put parallel to get those 6A max, but if parallel acts like automated way with a push of a button, for example CH2 will set as same voltage as CH1 automatically i would consider it, eg: SPD3303X-E
After read this thread i found the SPD1305X with good price and features, but also saw Rigol DP711 which cost only 40€ more.
SPD1305X VS DP711 what would be the better choice?
There's also the Korad 2x30V 5A, is that any good compared with the models above?

[tautech]

My needs are at least good programable 30V 5A, the 3A will not suit me and dislike to put parallel to get those 6A max, but if parallel acts like automated way with a push of a button, for example CH2 will set as same voltage as CH1 automatically i would consider it, eg: SPD3303X-E
After read this thread i found the SPD1305X with good price and features, but also saw Rigol DP711 which cost only 40€ more.
SPD1305X VS DP711 what would be the better choice?
There's also the Korad 2x30V 5A, is that any good compared with the models above?

Sorry for your PSU loss, don't you just hate it when that happens. 

The SPD3303X-E does mirror channels in both series and parallel modes in which Ch1 becomes the master channel on which adjustments are made.

SPD1305X is a very very clean PSU that's hard to even measure ripple on with a scope.
SPD1168X and 1305X thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-spd1168x-siglent-psu/

[sn4k3]

Sorry for your PSU loss, don't you just hate it when that happens. 

The SPD3303X-E does mirror channels in both series and parallel modes in which Ch1 becomes the master channel on which adjustments are made.

SPD1305X is a very very clean PSU that's hard to even measure ripple on with a scope.
SPD1168X and 1305X thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-spd1168x-siglent-psu/

I knew latter or sooner that PSU would die, it survive a house fire and tap water inside without proper clean up, so i guess it done more than it should. I only regret my fan connected there instead a simple LED, but could be worst, 60€ loss...

I'm very attracted to SPD1305X... But i do have some questions now regard SPD3303X-E:

1) In parallel mode: In CH1 you can set 30V 5A? Or need to set 2.5A on each chanel manually?
2) In series mode: Same question, if i want 60V do i need to set 30V each channel or can i set 60V at CH1? If so, when set 50V the both channel split 25V equaly?

[tautech]

Sorry for your PSU loss, don't you just hate it when that happens. 

The SPD3303X-E does mirror channels in both series and parallel modes in which Ch1 becomes the master channel on which adjustments are made.

SPD1305X is a very very clean PSU that's hard to even measure ripple on with a scope.
SPD1168X and 1305X thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-spd1168x-siglent-psu/

I knew latter or sooner that PSU would die, it survive a house fire and tap water inside without proper clean up, so i guess it done more than it should. I only regret my fan connected there instead a simple LED, but could be worst, 60€ loss...

I'm very attracted to SPD1305X... But i do have some questions now regard SPD3303X-E:

1) In parallel mode: In CH1 you can set 30V 5A? Or need to set 2.5A on each chanel manually?
2) In series mode: Same question, if i want 60V do i need to set 30V each channel or can i set 60V at CH1? If so, when set 50V the both channel split 25V equaly?

Check the Quick Start guide for series and parallel mode exact operation but yes Ch1 becomes the master channel for all adjustments.

[sn4k3]

Check the Quick Start guide for series and parallel mode exact operation but yes Ch1 becomes the master channel for all adjustments.

Have checked, it's easy like i want. Now i'm split SPD3303X/-E OR  2 x SPD1305X...
There's any advantage on new SPD1305X over SPD3303X? ie: Cleaner power? Beside the 4Wire

[tautech]

Check the Quick Start guide for series and parallel mode exact operation but yes Ch1 becomes the master channel for all adjustments.

Have checked, it's easy like i want. Now i'm split SPD3303X/-E OR  2 x SPD1305X...
There's any advantage on new SPD1305X over SPD3303X? ie: Cleaner power? Beside the 4Wire

Yep cleaner power in particular however IMO 1305X is a more specialised PSU than 3303X-E.

[BillB]

Have checked, it's easy like i want. Now i'm split SPD3303X/-E OR  2 x SPD1305X...
There's any advantage on new SPD1305X over SPD3303X? ie: Cleaner power? Beside the 4Wire

It's hardly worth mentioning, but the SPD3303X/-E also has the third output (albeit very limited compared to the other two). 

I think choosing between the two really depends on how much higher current work you'll be doing.  I've got the 1168X and the 3303X-E (hacked to 3303X), but use the 1168X when I need the higher current (or more-precise 4 wire operation).  However, when I have the need for multiple outputs the 3303X-E is very handy to have as it's one compact supply that takes up only one power socket and one ethernet jack. 

If bench space isn't an issue, I don't think you could go wrong with 2 1305X's.
     

[Kean]

My BK 9310 3 Ch PSU (rebadged ITECH) on my main R&D bench is having issues again (recapping fixed it once, but now readback on Ch2 is wrong), so I was going to replace it with a newer ITECH model.
While shopping for a new LCR meter, I came across the Tonghui TH6412 3 Ch PSU.  Better specs than the ITECH that I was considering and a more modern UI.  I've ordered one and should have it in a few days.

http://www.tonghui.com.cn/en/Product/DC_Power_Supply/2018/0320/541.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32993681002.html

Just another option to look at over Rigol or Siglent, but of course buying from China does complicate support/warranty issues.  This seller has been very helpful so far in getting me English datasheets and manuals for review before purchase, and I've spent about AU $6k with them recently on test gear.

I also have on order a R&S HMC8042 & 2 x HMC8012 which will likely take a little longer to arrive.  They're for a different testing setup, not for day to day R&D.  Another AU $4k!  It will be good to compare.

[sn4k3]

It's hardly worth mentioning, but the SPD3303X/-E also has the third output (albeit very limited compared to the other two).

I use 5V very often, but the lack of display and control over it make's the third output useless to me, it's dum like a phone charger. My dead PSU had the 3rd too and never use because of that.

I think choosing between the two really depends on how much higher current work you'll be doing.  I've got the 1168X and the 3303X-E (hacked to 3303X), but use the 1168X when I need the higher current (or more-precise 4 wire operation).  However, when I have the need for multiple outputs the 3303X-E is very handy to have as it's one compact supply that takes up only one power socket and one ethernet jack. 

If bench space isn't an issue, I don't think you could go wrong with 2 1305X's.

Bench space isn't an issue to me.

Can post the link to (hacked to 3303X)?

I'm a bit general purpose, last operation when fan died i was using 24V 6A. But i also work with higher voltage, in terms of 32V to 48V. Only the 3303X match that with PARA and SER functions (as single unit), still would be usefull to me to get up to 5A at 48V... so hard to decide Wish they did the 3305X along with the new 1305X's but no   
On the expensive hand, dual 3303X cost (2x€370) not much more than dual 1305X (2x€249.00) = 242€ difference and can do 120V/3A OR 60V/6A in a future if i need more

I came across the Tonghui TH6412 3 Ch PSU.  Better specs than the ITECH that I was considering and a more modern UI.  I've ordered one and should have it in a few days.

That PSU looks great on papper and in terms of features and V/C, it had the third CH controlled wich is great to have. UI looks ok to me. The mains work on 110v or 220v without jumpers, they use auto transformer or SMPS and DC output as a buck without taps? Can it be some kind of 3 x DPS3005 internally? I blind fear that kind of chinesse tech, but we never know util we try...
Looking forward for your review 

[nctnico]

My BK 9310 3 Ch PSU (rebadged ITECH) on my main R&D bench is having issues again (recapping fixed it once, but now readback on Ch2 is wrong), so I was going to replace it with a newer ITECH model.
While shopping for a new LCR meter, I came across the Tonghui TH6412 3 Ch PSU.  Better specs than the ITECH that I was considering and a more modern UI.  I've ordered one and should have it in a few days.

http://www.tonghui.com.cn/en/Product/DC_Power_Supply/2018/0320/541.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32993681002.html

Just another option to look at over Rigol or Siglent, but of course buying from China does complicate support/warranty issues.  This seller has been very helpful so far in getting me English datasheets and manuals for review before purchase, and I've spent about AU $6k with them recently on test gear.

Thanks for showing other types / brands to buy. I hope you have time to write something about this PSU after you have tried it.

[Kean]

Thanks for showing other types / brands to buy. I hope you have time to write something about this PSU after you have tried it.

For sure.  Once things quiet down a little I will try post at least a "first look" of the Tonghui TH6412 3-Ch DC PSU.

Maybe after that I will do short posts on the other recent test gear I got from China if there is interest:

• ITECH IT7321 programmable AC PSU
• Applent/anbai AT8612 DC Load (seems to already be a tear down post on here for that)
• Tonghui TH3321 single phase power analyzer
• CKT5000 LCR meter

I probably won't be doing a tear down of any sort on my R&S gear (probably others exist already) during warranty period, or any of the other gear until it has been trouble free for at least a few months.

[BillB]

Can post the link to (hacked to 3303X)?

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ads-firmware-file-format/msg1830584/#msg1830584

[sn4k3]

I pull the trigger and already brought the SPD1305X, one unit, as i have free shipping if i fell the need will reorder.
Hope my next buy will be the Electronic Load from them SDL

[sn4k3]

Don't DPS have high ripple? Also the UI sucks, sigilent not much better, as it take ages to recall profiles....