Does Such a Critter Exist?

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480sparky

480sparky

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Faithfully sitting on my work bench is a benchtop variable power supply, 0-10a 0-32volts. 120vac input.

power supply.jpg

My question is: Does such a unit exist like this that has a 12vdc input?

No, I'm not looking for one of those 1.5/3/4.5/6/9/12v adapters you can buy on Amazon for 8 bucks. I want a unit just like shown in the photo, but with a 12vdc input.
 
How about using a 12VDC to 120VAC power inverter and your existing unit? I realize that converting up then down again is inefficient, but is this something you will be using often enough that it matters?
 
Besides a power inverter, a UPS would also give you a somewhat portable and independent system. Similar inefficiencies.

Can you tell us why you need this?
 
I'm looking for something portable. As such, adding the cost, weight and inefficiency of adding an inverter would render it pretty much useless.
 
No matter what, you need a DC-DC inveter to get more than 12v from 12v, unless you're willing to use batteries in series for use, and switch them to parallel for charging.

Added: What's the maximum voltage and current you need?
 
Jon456 said:
Are you willing to build your own?

www.instructables.com

DIY Variable Power Supply With Adjustable Voltage and Current

DIY Variable Power Supply With Adjustable Voltage and Current: Hey Guyz, This time I'm making a variable bench power supply.This is the most useful equipment for a hobbyist and DIY maker cause while making or testing circuits, it needs different values of voltage and current. That's why every...
www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
Click to expand...
That's an excellent project! (y)
 
Jon456 said:
Agreed. I don't even need one and I want to build it. 😜
Click to expand...
Same here.

I was serious about the multiple battery idea if a fixed voltage is needed. Years ago, I adapted a home stereo in a van, and used a second battery to create the 24vdc needed. I used a DPDT relay to put the second battery is series with +12v when the stereo was on, and in parallel (through a resistor) when off to charge.
 
When you want to increase a DC input to a higher DC level, it's called a "boost converter". The little one shown above is only 80W max, so at 30V that is 2.7A, the one you showed at the top is 10A @ 30VDC. Do you NEED 10A? And do you NEED 30VDC, or are you after something more common like 24VDC?
 
Jraef said:
When you want to increase a DC input to a higher DC level, it's called a "boost converter". The little one shown above is only 80W max, so at 30V that is 2.7A, the one you showed at the top is 10A @ 30VDC. Do you NEED 10A? And do you NEED 30VDC, or are you after something more common like 24VDC?
Click to expand...

I need 30v as I need 24 and 28v. I also need at least 5a.
 
The low cost board level switching supplies with the LTC3780 IC typically have a spec of 50mV output voltage ripple. Is that adequate for your application? If not then you may need to add a larger output capacitor or LC filtering, or add a LDO linear regulator on the output of the switching supply.
 
Plenty of linears available from Jameco, MPJA, Amazon & EBAY. I bought a 0-30V, 0-3A from Jameco about 10 years ago. Works great.
 
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