Technical Topics > Equipment
Any way to modify noisy power supply?
alpard:
I have this Lab power supply made in China. It has digital read out for voltage and also currents, and is fully adjustable continuosly via the dial from 0 - 30V, and it is rated 10A max.
It is great to power up project stuff, but when it is connected to SW radio, the radio gets noisy due to the power supply generated noise. Is there any way to modify or implement something on the psu, and make it usable working with Shortwave radios?
Charlie_Dont_Surf:
There probably isn't a lot of room to place a filter inside the chassis but you can fit an external filter to cut the noise down.
You would place the filter in line between the output of the supply and the device that you wish to power. I do this with some of my switching supplies, even for lab use. (I don't power radios off them.)
Something like this would work. I bought a few of something with a very similar appearance a few years ago from Drok (if I recall correctly) and they seem fine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334340331698?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338678874&toolid=20006&customid=2dcb9d6c815615459e9ef509571b2325%7C%7C&gclid=2dcb9d6c815615459e9ef509571b2325
alpard:
Thanks for your info and advice. Yes, that looks a great filter for the psu noise problems. But the price seems rather high for a filter.
If it were cheaper, it would be a very attractive device to add into the link.
But maybe I must try to implement battery pack for 12VDC made up of multiple AA batteries. 8x AA batteries are needed for 12VDC. Or buy a high quality psu? WIll think for the options.
ChrisSmolinski:
You can often find good used quality linear power supplies (Linear One, Lambda, etc.) on eBay for a decent price. Easier, much better, and and in the end likely cheaper, than trying to filter a noisy Pride Of China power supply.
alpard:
I once had an old linear power supply (made by quite famous company - but now cannot recall the brand). The power supply was 20A rated one 13.8V for full 100W Txing on amateur radios. The psu was powering on an old ICOM IC-751 transceiver for just SWLing.
One day, the psu went bang with smoke and flames. I quickly switched it off before it caught fire. Luckily the IC751 was not damaged in any way, but the psu was totally damaged beyond repair. I got it few days before the incident from eBay business dealer mostly selling used radio gear, and was able to return it for full refund.
After that, I am apprehensive about any linear power supplies, and even switching psu, they can blow any time causing possible damage to the radios and even more.
Maybe it happened due to the age of the power supply, but then I just have this idea that it can happen to any power supplies. I try to avoid using power supplies whenever possible. They are also noisy due to the fans (if have them), and definitely noisier on the radios than battery powered radios.
But maybe it was just one off experience I had, and maybe they are safe to use I don't know.
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