Monitored DC power supply station

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sudo

391 posts

Ultimate Geek

#181303 9-Oct-2015 22:16

Is there such a thing as a multi-feed DC power station?
Something with multiple/independent outputs that I can see/control the usage from each output.

This is so I can run different devices from different power feeds.
I'm not keen on using multiple wall warts for different devices.

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#1403280 9-Oct-2015 22:45

Yup .. bench power supplies.

http://www.digikey.co.nz/product-search/en/test-and-measurement/equipment-power-supplies-test-bench/2295022

sudo

391 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1403288 9-Oct-2015 23:02

I should have added "affordable" to the description.

~$900 for 3 adjustable power feeds seems a bit excessive for powering a bunch of lower voltage devices (like Arduino devices)
The cheaper ones seem have fixed (and varied) voltages across different feeds.

Aredwood

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#1403291 9-Oct-2015 23:24

Are you wanting this for testing purposes? Or a permanent use situation?

sudo

391 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1403292 9-Oct-2015 23:41

Both.

I am going to be experimenting with home automation devices, which seems to be mostly at 5V/12V.
As time goes by, I will probably accumulate devices, so don't want a row of power supplies cluttering things.

Once I know what I am doing (and figure out what works for me), I will end up putting what I have been prototyping into a new house build.

The bench power supply looks interesting. I found a cheaper one on TM (http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/radio-equipment/commercial/auction-959273821.htm) not sure if its any good but it's a little over a third of the price of the other one in the digkey catalog.
But I would have thought there would have been a solid state controllable option via some sort of comms link (without dials etc ... maybe keypad)

timmmay

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#1403315 10-Oct-2015 07:18

Computer power supplies have 5V and 12V rails.

Jase2985

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#1403326 10-Oct-2015 07:26

PC power supply

that what we are using for our arduino controlled filament extruder. we are using the PC power supply as it has the ability to output a bit of current as the heaters will draw about 12amps and them motor about 10 amps.

they have outputs for 12v, 5v, 3.3v, -12v at very low amps.

you can see the voltage, but wouldnt take much to make that happen, and as for control well just depends on how you connect things up, an run it through a high power POT or something.

pretty damn cheap too, but do require a little modification to get them into a working state.

really depends on the current you require

sudo

391 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1403360 10-Oct-2015 10:38

Thats a cool idea!

In fact take a look at the projects in instructables.com ... http://www.instructables.com/id/Encyclopedia-of-ATX-to-Bench-Power-Supply-Conversi/

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Jase2985

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#1403419 10-Oct-2015 11:26

your arduino would be able to display your voltages on a LCD screen as well, using an analogue input/s

Mine looks like this one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Computer-Power-Supply-to-Bench-Power-Supply-Adapte/

but i only have +12V outputs on it as thats all i need for this project

pretty basic really, you just need to find out if you need need a load on the +5 or +12V line to keep the power supply on. Mine didnt need one but some need some load on them to keep them turned on.

Niel

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#1403426 10-Oct-2015 11:36

I'd use something like a 12V 5A or so power adapter, then use 12V-to-5V switch mode regulators (or adjustable, but go switch mode not linear for efficiency and heat) which is freely available on eBay and TradeMe and many other sites (or overpriced Jaycar). On TradeMe is a guy that sells various modules for amazingly low price, essentially the same price as eBay but immediate delivery instead of weeks.

You can never have enough Volvos!