George and Jeremy take a look at power supplies for powering radios and working on electronic projects.  They explain the differences between traditional radio power supplies and “lab” Constant Current / Constant Voltage power supplies.  They also provide helpful tips on what to look for when selecting power supplies for your radio or your workbench.

Tim KE4KE Website - http://www.ke4ke.com

Vance N3VEM - http://www.n3vem.com

Packtenna Mini - http://www.packtenna.com/

YouTube Packtenna Mini Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4RONXiPnkE&feature=share

New KJ6VU KX2 portable case video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfhqIH3wuk8

Bioenno LiFePO4 Batteries for ham use - https://www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries/products/12v-8ah-lfp-battery-abs-sealed-black-case?variant=1014198656

Raspberry Pi Clock - from N0BEL - http://n0bel.net/v1/index.php/projects/raspberry-pi-clock

2 Categories

• “Ham” 12v PSU
• Bench/Lab PSU

Ham “High Current” power supply considerations and tradeoffs

Linear vs Switch?

Variable Voltage vs Fixed Voltage?

Meters vs no meters?

What do you add as you go up in price?

• Precision
• Linearity
• Low Noise/Low Ripple
• More current/power
• Computer connectivity/programmability

Linear 12V High Current Power Supply: Astron RS-35A - $180 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-004434

Switching 12V with Analog Meters: Samlex 1235M - $130 - https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008965

Switching Variable Voltage with Meters: Powerwerx SPS-30DM - $160 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011684

Switching 12V: Powerwerx SPS 30DV - $110 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010662

Switching 12V Variable Voltage: Alinco DM-330MVT - $160 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-003728

Power Supply Accessories

• West Mountain Radio Rig Runners - http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigrunner.php
• Low Loss Power Gate Battery Charging System - $50 - http://ki0bk.no-ip.com/~pwrgate/LLPG/Site/LLPG.html
• West Mountain Radio Super PWRGate PG40S - $140 - http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007770
• PwrGuard Plus Low Voltage Disconnect - http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=pwr_guard
• Anderson Power Poles
• Crimper - https://powerwerx.com/tricrimp-powerpole-connector-crimping-tool

Workbench Power Supply - What specs do you care about?

• 0-20v or more
• • Single ended 0-20v - voltage reference to ground
  • Maybe Dual ended +/- 15 volts
• Low ripple (<1mv p/p) - what is ripple?  (EEVBlog Ripple and Noise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edel3eduRj4)
• 2-5 amps
• Meters for Volts and Current (digital or analog)
• Current limiting adjustment
• Resettable output breaker
• Short circuit protection

Test Leads - banana plug to whatever you need to connect to

What do you add as you go up in price?

• Precision
• Linearity
• Low Noise/Low Ripple
• More current/power
• Computer connectivity/programmability

Dave Jones EEVBlog - earth ground vs ground referenced circuit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaELqAo4kkQ

Tenma 72-8345A 1-36V 3A Power Supply - $150 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-8345A-/72-8345A

Tenma 72-8350 1-20V 5A Power Supply - $160 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-8350A-/72-8350

Tenma 72-9465 1-36V 5A USB Controllable - $200 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-9465-/72-9465

GW Instek GPS-1850D - $200 - http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/GW-INSTEK-GPS-1850D-/72-12100

Rigol Bench Power Supplies - https://www.rigolna.com/products/dc-power-loads/

Siglent Bench Power Supplies - http://siglentamerica.com/pd.aspx?tid=17&T=1