Is there a better power supply option for $700?

[hpw]

The DP932E is only rated for 30V/3A and the DP932A is rated 32V/3A.  I think in both cases the max current is 3.2A on the actual unit, and as I recall I think the max voltage that you can set on my DP932E is 31.5V.

There are 2 things I don't like on the Rigol DP932E:

1. The fan control.  When you first turn it on it's at the max setting and quiets down once booted.  Even at the slowest speed it's still a little annoying, although from what I understand it is still better than the older DP832.  I've found from experimenting that the fan algorithm is pretty simplistic - if you short all 3 outputs when set at max current the fan stays at the lowest speed for 3 minutes and then goes to max speed, no matter how warm/hot things were previously.  Once the outputs are no longer at max current the fan immediately goes back to the lower speed. 

2.  When you press the ALL ON/OFF button you are prompted "Are you sure you want to turn all outputs on?" and you have to either press enter or select to get the outputs to turn on.  This requires a second button press, and I find it very annoying. 

I continue to hope that they improved both issues in future FW changes.

Yes, my DP832:

FAN: still have the original fan, as from forum member, just cut off the metallic openings fan grill away (as a part of the box) and add for security an ordinary grill.

Calibration: is a nightmare as to tweak each channel for xxmV deviations.

Power: always disconnect any connections before connection and disconnecting. The secure option by yourself

Ugly: after using, that the 3. channel as maximal 5.3V, also required external groundings (avoid internal connections as to read on this forum),  as would like to have more 5.5 or 6V as the newer models

so my 2 cents on good or ugly PSU for the lab.

Hp

[blackdog]

My two cents opinion. :-)

I now have two GW-Instek 4323 power supplies since last month and for the most part I am happy with them.

Why did I choose this model, I had first bought a new model from Rigol.
This Rigol DP2031 was back in the box the very next day back to the supplier.

The reason were the irritating bugs in the software and the sound of an F16 and this even when the power supply was just on and doing nothing.

The 4323 from GW-Instek turned on quickly, no sound and four totally separate power supplies.
That you start on the left side with channel-4 is only a little awkward at first.
I use channel-4 the most, so I no longer experience the out-of-order channel numbering as a problem.

Then this, why should a LAB Power Supply provide the same power for each channel?
A manufacturer wants a certain form factor and a certain power fits into that in terms of dissipation.
I think GW-Instek chose this well, at least for my applications.
I also find the DC Load feature easy, despite having several DC Load's here.

It's kind of the same with LAB Power Supplies as it is with Multimeters, I have 8.5, 7.5 and 5pcs 6.5 digit multimeters and some hand multimeter.
I use them as I need, I also have a small SMPS power supply that can deliver 10-Ampere, I only use this one when the SMPS interference level is not so important.

If you can afford it, then the GW-Instek 4323 is a good option.
There are of course brand more options and each device has its own idiosyncrasies, that are good to live with, like channel-4 with the 4323,
but for me not the bugs and noise of the Rigol Power Supply's.

I still have another Rigol Power Supply which I have taken care of to make the noise less.
This is a cheaper Rigol that has otherwise proven to be well reliable and has no annoying bugs for normal use.

Here is a link on how to customize this Rigol DP832, note that two channels of this power supply are connected through as far as ground is concerned.
https://www.circuitsonline.net/forum/view/130740

Kind regards,
Bram

[mawyatt]

Similar experience/opinion with GPP-4323, nice supply!! Only real complaint besides the channel arrangement is the lack of easily visible +- identification on terminals, which was solved with colored pens as posted by jjoonathan.

One thing were were adamant about for our lab supplies was no voltage overshoot under any conditions, vaguely recall a Rigol supply had this issue and later so did a R&S. We lost 2 $50K chips way back because a lab supply went rogue and had a power on voltage glitch, so this is the 1st thing we look for in a lab supply!!!

Best,