What benchtop power supply do you use?

[MarioMaster]

Lambda 0-60v 0-3A

RTE PowerMate 0-20v 0-6A

 

[HitShane]

Is this a good supply to use?

DC Power Supply - Linear Power Supply - Mastech VARIABLE LINEAR POWER SUPPLY 30V 6A HY3006D (Powered by CubeCart)

 

[Cyparagon]

That's like asking if a specific computer is good. Good for what?
What will you be powering with it?

 

[jcclow]

Here's my baby - 20V 10amps.
I like the MPG to for setting, accurate and not at all twitchy.
ATB
MM

I like that power supply...just a tad out of my budget though.

 

[HitShane]

That's like asking if a specific computer is good. Good for what?
What will you be powering with it?

Well, some of the units say they are not good for battery charging or led testing... Not all of the dealers for many different companies, say these things on their own websites...

 

[Bob_Boyce]

Bench supplies I use are Mastech HY1503D, HY3020EX, and HY3080EX. For the really big bar lasers I have a 3.3V @ 320A AC/DC converter server power supply with a current regulation mod. It does 1.8 - 3.6 VDC CV or 0-320A CC. I bought a few of these from an eBay surplus seller for $20 each.

Bob

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

I've got a few server PSUs, is there a constant current mod writeup that you followed that you wouldn't mind linking to? I'm in need of an OK benchtop PSU, got tons of computer, server PSUs to play with.

Thanks, and welcome back

 

[LarryDFW]

BShanahan14rulz;

Here is a post that helped me determine how to use several server supplies:

RC Groups - View Single Post - A simple high quality 12Volt 100Amp Power Supply- Part1

LarryDFW

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Thanks, Larry! I should have known, the RC folks are big on clean power, for feeding their hungry powerful LiPo packs

edit: as an added plus, I might have the HP Proliant PSU they used in their example!

 

[LarryDFW]

BShanahan14rulz;

I have a few compact 12VDC 32 amp HP server switching supplies,

I use for charging 12.6 volt lithium packs..

LarryDFW

 

[Bob_Boyce]

I've got a few server PSUs, is there a constant current mod writeup that you followed that you wouldn't mind linking to? I'm in need of an OK benchtop PSU, got tons of computer, server PSUs to play with.

Thanks, and welcome back

Thank you, glad to be back. I hope this information can help others.

This is for the Vicor MegaPAC AC to DC switching power supplies, or Vicor DC to DC converter modules. The MegaPAC units I have are rated for 3.3V @ 320A and use 8 of the 200W VI-200 40A DC to DC converter modules. One module is the driver and 7 modules are current boosters. The outputs are all in parallel with heavy copper bus bars. This modification uses J10-9 and J10-10 to source VCC and signal ground for powering the added current regulation circuitry. A small isolated DC to DC converter is used to provide a voltage reference for the op-amp. Be sure to use a very efficient low current circuit design, as the VCC +5V source is limited to under 300mA.

I bought the MegaPACs from a seller on eBay for only $20 each, and they were all brand new! I bought surplus high current shunts from MPJA for current feedback. The one I use is 100A/100mV but they sold out of those. They have others to choose from though. Connect a meter to the shunt to read/calculate output current.

You can download the MegaPAC manual here
http://cdn.vicorpower.com/documents/design_guides/megapacautorang_designguide.pdf

The variable current modification documentation can be downloaded here
http://cdn.vicorpower.com/documents/application_notes/an_ConstantCurrent.pdf

And the variable voltage modification documentation can be downloaded here
http://www.vicorpower.com/documents/design_articles/pb_wide-trim.pdf

Marlin P Jones & Associates, surplus vendor. Shunts and meters
http://www.mpja.com/Panel-Meters/departments/51/

Have fun!

Bob