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Circuitbenders Forum => Circuitbending discussion => Topic started by: Bogus Noise on January 30, 2011, 10:52:27 PM

Title: Bench power supplies
Post by: Bogus Noise on January 30, 2011, 10:52:27 PM
The time has come for me to pick up a bench power supply for working on circuits and building up modular boards. From a bit of research it seems I'm needing a variable linear power supply with +/- 15v, and somewhere in the region of 3a. Been scanning about on eBay over the weekend, wondering if this one should do the trick?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300514871499&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300514871499&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT)

Thinking 2a should be plenty. Haven't been able to find out for sure if it's switched or linear though. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Bench power supplies
Post by: Gordonjcp on January 31, 2011, 09:37:25 AM
Looks okay.  Variable PSUs are generally linear, but it doesn't really make a lot of difference.
Title: Re: Bench power supplies
Post by: Circuitbenders on January 31, 2011, 11:59:34 AM
are you going to be able to get -15v DC from that without some extra circuitry?

Personally i think i'd go for something secondhand with a bit more heft to it. I'd be willing to bet that you're probably going to need more than 0-15v at some point.

I got one of these for £15 off ebay a while back http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156)
Title: Re: Bench power supplies
Post by: Bogus Noise on January 31, 2011, 12:17:12 PM
Looks okay.  Variable PSUs are generally linear, but it doesn't really make a lot of difference.
Ah, thanks for that! Had been under the impression that switched was better for modular synth applications.

are you going to be able to get -15v DC from that without some extra circuitry?

Personally i think i'd go for something secondhand with a bit more heft to it. I'd be willing to bet that you're probably going to need more than 0-15v at some point.

I got one of these for £15 off ebay a while back http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156)

I think you might be right actually... hadn't thought about it needing to be 30v to supply the positive and negative rails. Had been thinking it'd supply a bipolar +/-15v, but over at electro-music.com they said it might not be even be able to supply bipolar voltage anyway. I was thrown by it having the three terminals, so am slightly less sure as to what to look for now!

Was wanting to get one sooner but I'll hold out for a week or so and try to score a good bargain along the way :)

That Thurlby looks nice btw!
Title: Re: Bench power supplies
Post by: druzz on February 20, 2011, 07:26:03 AM
are you going to be able to get -15v DC from that without some extra circuitry?

Personally i think i'd go for something secondhand with a bit more heft to it. I'd be willing to bet that you're probably going to need more than 0-15v at some point.

I got one of these for £15 off ebay a while back http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230547393954#ht_500wt_1156)


the link does not show a suitable power supply anymore :'(
would love to have another exemple of a proper  power supply for bending and synth building.  i'll be needing one soon as well