Hi. I'm trying to assemble the components to drive a single-Nichrome-wire device for heating sheets of thermoplastic. To get the material up to 350˚F should take about 3-4 amps with 20 gauge wire, so the power supply needs to deliver at least 5 amps. I know how an AC-to-DC power supply functions (transformer-rectifier-filter capacitors-voltage regulator), but I have no engineering background. The device can be AC or DC. I've heard arguments for both. I'd like to wind up with an adjustable power supply that can be used for other purposes as well, e.g., battery recharging, LED power, etc. I've gone looking for new and used off-the-shelf 5 amp power supplies, but the good used American-made 5A-10A supplies (B&K, Elenco, HP) are thin on the ground, and the New market is flooded with Chinese-built equipment bristling with inflated claims of capability and erroneous/doubtful/incomprehensible User Manuals. 100 different brand names all apparently coming from the same factory.
Sorry. I'm hoping that I can get recommendations for assembling components to power a nichrome heater. Do all of them need to be the same amperage? Should I regulate the incoming AC voltage, or just the DC out? Would I be better off just buying a Variac and sticking with AC?
Sorry. I'm hoping that I can get recommendations for assembling components to power a nichrome heater. Do all of them need to be the same amperage? Should I regulate the incoming AC voltage, or just the DC out? Would I be better off just buying a Variac and sticking with AC?