Precision Lab PS305D Variable 30V 5A DC Power Supply | eBay

That is the power supply I am using. I would try this at a higher voltage since the data sheet says 5.5V max, but I'm a little afraid that I may kill them as they are expensive diodes.

Just tested one. @ 5V you should be able to feed it about 1.4A.




Also just to be sure you are setting it to 5V and the current to zero with nothing connected. Then turning it off and shorting the output leads. then connect the diode, power the unit on and slowly turn up the current.

@tsteele: I have been using the lenses that come with these. They are good lenses, and you can just grab a G2 housing from jayrob for approximately $20 (I think?) or so, meaning you are paying $115 for the high-powered diode (MUCH higher powered than others, consistently, I think) and a G2-equivalent lens.

Dont forget to change it over to the High Currant setting on your supply. That has happened to me so many times its not even funny.

If he had it in a mode that was restricting it to 500mA it should only be displaying that it is giving 4V even though the pot is set to give a max of 5V.
Like this. ARG can you take a picture like this of it running?

It's not being restricted to 600mA, I keep turning the knob but the current draw stays at 600mA. Edit: With a 3 element lens it's putting out 594mW at this current.

Here's a video of it all:

Untitled - YouTube

I've done that a lot of times too Sometimes the other way too Not fun when you are expecting 200mA but get 2A instead I made sure that it was on the right setting though. Still wont go past 600mA.

Only thing I can think of to do is go to 5.5V and see where you get. I guess it is possible that this one has a higher voltage forward. Have not seen one like that yet. Is it possible your power supply is not reading the voltage correctly? Can you test it with your DMM?

My DMM is reading .12V higher than my PSU is displaying and here I was hoping it was reading low.

Okay here's the numbers I got.

5.3V displayed on my PSU, 5.44V on my DMM
Draws 790mA
Puts out 760mW with a 3 element lens.

The Supply should figure out on its own how much voltage it wants to give to the diode.

Mine does and its the same looking supply.

You can set the voltage as high as you want it wont matter as the supply will only give what the diode wants.

Set your voltage to 5.5v like DTR mention and turn up the currant slowly. See if you get higher currant.

Maybe your supply is not switching over and just needs a little more juice. I see it switches over at exactly 5v so that might be it.

or

Something is wrong with your supply.

If you are not willing to try this and can give me a couple hours, when i get home ill run the Exact same setting as you did on my supply and see what happens.


Edit: Just seen your update. Something does not seem right. No way its hitting 5.3v at 790mA.

Are you measuring the voltage with ur DMM while it is running the diode?
Try that.

EDIT:
also what kind of voltage/current do you get with an M140 Diode?

Looking at my data here:
New 9mm 445 diodes

Looks Like your supply is 1v off.

At ~800mA i was getting ~4.3v.

I really am not sure whats going on. but i will try exactly what your doing when i get home.

Hmmm... It does seem like that... but my DMM is showing it to be correct.

Good idea, let me go press a M140 and solder leads on and I'll get back to you on that.

Edit: .26A @ 4.2V with an M140 diode. Looks like it's my power supply!
Edit2: DMM reads 3.88V when hooked up in parallel with the diode leads.

Will ur power supply run 1.8A through the leads just shorted out?
What voltage do you get? mabye you have some crappy leads

Shows 8.5V at 5A.
Show 2.8V at 1.8A.

Woah thats about 1.6 omhs of resistance.
If you run a couple amps and measure the voltage with ur DMM
right at the + and - metal contact on ur psu is there much voltage there?

Okay. Something is very wrong. Turned it on and this happened:
http://i.imgur.com/UGmek.jpg

It's a 0-30V PSU displaying 52.5V.

Is this a New PS.? If so Return it and Exchange it for a New One. That is Not right.

Lucky you dint kill your diode.

I would try changing out the leads and see if it makes a difference. If not it could point to it being the power supply itself.

Few months old now, one year warranty though. I will contact the seller today. I really am lucky this didn't happened when testing my diode, would've gone very wrong!

to all who helped me figure this out!


I don't have an extra set of leads at the moment, but I will be sure to test this before I PM the seller!

Actually all you need to do is measure the resistance of the leads with ur DMM,
you should be able to tell if the 1.6 Ohms is coming from them...

mine did that when it suffered a high voltage return path through (through me) to the PSU from my 50kV Marx Generator, went to 49.6V and was jumping around there, the adjustment knobs did nothing.

Alright. My power supply just completely died. Everything is stuck at 0. It's gotta be the power supply that is the problem

Will Contact the seller - Probably going to cost me more than the power supply in shipping

Does anyone know of a super reliable power supply? Only need 0-3A 0-12V or so.

Man that sucks.

Currently I am using one of these and have never had any problems with it but I am thinking of upgrading to one with finer adjustments.
MASTECH VARIABLE DC POWER SUPPLY (HY1505D)0-15 V/ 0-5A | eBay

I got this one off amazon:
Amazon.com: Mastech Single-Output DC Power Supply HY3003D 30V 3A: Industrial & Scientific
Works well for everything I have tried.

There are probably better deals out there, but I have amazon prime, and Im a sucker for $4 overnight shipping, lol