Switching or Linear variable power supply

nkgamer1990 · Apr 20, 2012

So i've hit a road bump and could use some help deciding which power supply to get. I'm hoping someone here has some knowledge to throw my way. here are the links to the 2 power supplies in question.

my intent is to safely directly power a diode.

DC Power Supply - Linear Power Supply - Mastech Variable Linear Power Supply 30V 10A HY3010D (Powered by CubeCart)

DC Power Supply - Switching Power Supply - Mastech Power Supply HY3010EX 30V 10A Over Voltage Over Current Protection (Powered by CubeCart)

Fiddy · Apr 21, 2012

they both will run a directly run a diode very well.

when dealing with diodes which are current devices, i set voltage while under no load to just higher than the rated voltage of the diode, then turn the current all the way to 0mA, attach the leads to the diode then slowly ramp up the current.

Cyparagon · Apr 21, 2012

Switching supplies are more efficient, but slightly more electrically noisy. They are both stable enough to run a laser diode.

LarryDFW · Apr 22, 2012

I switched to a Extech switching supply,

and have much better control over voltage and current.

It has 4 digits for better resolution.

LarryDFW

nkgamer1990 · Apr 22, 2012

so by noise do you mean actual noise i hear or noise in the output?
bear with me, this is all new stuff

ARG · Apr 23, 2012

nkgamer1990 said:
so by noise do you mean actual noise i hear or noise in the output?
bear with me, this is all new stuff

Noise in the output.

nkgamer1990 · Apr 24, 2012

I guess what i'm asking is which would you choose?

LarryDFW · Apr 29, 2012

nkgamer1990;

The switching power supply should be smaller & lighter . . .

and due to less heat, more reliable.

Usually though, they are more expensive.

This is the one I prefer & sell . . .

Larry

DTR · Apr 29, 2012

Hey Larry what is the model number on that supply? I have been looking for one that reads down to 1mA and hopefully can get pretty close to adjusting 1mA-5mA easily. Noticed it does not have fine and course knobs. Can you easily do fine adjustments of 1mA/5mA/10mA?

I have a mastech which has worked really well but jumps around a lot under 100mA and adjustments of 10mA can be difficult at any range. Lot of tapping on the knob.:tinfoil:

Cyparagon · Apr 29, 2012

I disagree that they are more reliable. They have more components which inherently means a higher failure rate (more can go wrong). Heat has virtually no correlation with lifetime if the heat is dealt with properly. My oven has lasted decades, but I've had low power Chinese switchmode supplies die after a few days use.

More expensive? I dispute that as well. I always see (for equal power) that linear supplies are more.

LarryDFW · Apr 29, 2012

DTR;

It is a model #382260.

It has multi-turn discrete steps for both voltage and current,

but you can set within 6ma by tweaking the settings.

I can get them for $229.

More precision will require a more expensive design.

LarryDFW

P.S. Cyparagon :The adjusting pots on the linear supplies I've had,
are the first components to fail.

DTR · Apr 29, 2012

LarryDFW said:
DTR;

It is a model #382260.

It has multi-turn discrete steps for both voltage and current,

but you can set within 6ma by tweaking the settings.

I can get them for $229.

More precision will require a more expensive design.

That is a good price for what I am seeing but I would like something with a little more control. Any suggestions on one that is a small step up from this with a four digit panel that reads in 1mA resolution?

I do like the rotary idea. I had said that the mastech I have does jump around a little @ under 100mA. I don't remember it always doing that. I wonder if it is the pots going bad and it is only going to get worse.:thinking:

piferal · Apr 29, 2012

DTR said:
That is a good price for what I am seeing but I would like something with a little more control. Any suggestions on one that is a small step up from this with a four digit panel that reads in 1mA resolution?

I do like the rotary idea. I had said that the mastech I have does jump around a little @ under 100mA. I don't remember it always doing that. I wonder if it is the pots going bad and it is only going to get worse.:thinking:

If you are interested.

This one is not bad in its class.

Price around $290.

http://www.bkprecision.com/downloads/datasheets/9110_datasheet.pdf

Cyparagon · Apr 29, 2012

LarryDFW said:
The adjusting pots on the linear supplies I've had,
are the first components to fail.

It's a good thing switching supplies don't have pots.

owait

DTR · May 5, 2012

piferal said:
If you are interested.

This one is not bad in its class.

Price around $290.

http://www.bkprecision.com/downloads/datasheets/9110_datasheet.pdf

So does anybody else have any thoughts about this power supply? I think it is kind of interesting that it only has one knob that I understand the datasheet correctly adjusts the current/voltage based on the ratio what ever it is driving uses. It makes sense to me since at any given time you are either in constant current or constant voltage and in either mode both values rise and fall based on that ratio.

I guess before I pull the trigger on this I am wondering if anyone sees any reason that this unit would not fit my needs in direct driving diodes with great ability to control the increases in current?:beer:

DTR · May 7, 2012

Nobody had any thoughts/opinions?

Switching or Linear variable power supply

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