Hey everyone, I just bought my first bench power supply, it is used, but I found it somewhat cheap(?). It is a Keysight U8002A. I saw from the official website that it is selling for $795, and I found this for around $282 shipped. Is this considered a good find or I should have bought something else with the money?



I know that HP, Agilent, and Keysight formerly were the same company, how was the quality build between each company? Did it deteriorates from Agilent to Keysight, or did it improve?

Last thing, when the PSU arrive, what should I test to make sure that the PSU is working properly?

Thanks everyone!

 

apparently it's not $795, but $895 from the website

 

Not sure if the quality has degraded since they were HP, but I think it is still likely a high quality supply.
Likely a little overkill for hobby work, but that's okay.

 

Not sure if the quality has degraded since they were HP, but I think it is still likely a high quality supply.
Likely a little overkill for hobby work, but that's okay.

apparently the only power supplies that i can find in my country are either the static power supply (the one with 5V 12V terminals output), China knockoffs (pricing around $30~$40, not sure about the quality, never heard of the brand), or pre-ordering some decent one, which will costs me around $1000. As soon as I found this one, I immediately bought it. You could say it's a FOMO perhaps

Although, now I'm wondering if i should just build a DIY power supply from an ATX PSU. I think I have a used 850W PSU

 

Is this considered a good find or I should have bought something else with the money?

A little late to ask, don't you think?

 

I found this for around $282 shipped. Is this considered a good find or I should have bought something else with the money?

It's likely a nice supply, but, since you're a hobbyist, you wasted money you could have spent on other equipment.

I bought a couple of these inexpensive Wanptek supplies on AliExpress for about $40 each:

Had to shop around because you can easily spend $50-60+ on them. I waited until there were seller discounts and I could apply "coins". And I wouldn't pay $8-10 for a 4 digit display.

You could have spent the other $200 to get a decent DSO, function generator, bench meter, solderless breadboards, soldering iron, hand tools, etc.

Last thing, when the PSU arrive, what should I test to make sure that the PSU is working properly?

1. load regulation
2. output ripple
3. maximum current

Download the manual and test the specifications you care about.

Although, now I'm wondering if i should just build a DIY power supply from an ATX PSU. I think I have a used 850W PSU

Isn't it a little late to be second guessing your purchase? You'd only be able to get 12V unless you hacked the supply.

 

The power supply I use the most is a 5V 1A supply I built myself.
The next most used PSU is this Power Mate BP76, adjustable 0-12V output.

 

The next most used PSU is this Power Mate BP76, adjustable 0-12V output.

What is the terminal labeled "Current"?

 

if i should just build a DIY power supply from an ATX PSU. I think I have a used 850W PSU

You could use that if you need a fixed 3.3V, 5V or 12V output, but I wouldn't use it for more than that.

 

One of my first projects was a power supply. 4-6V @ 1A and 2.5-19V @ 0.5A in a plain aluminum box. No meters. I added a couple LEDs to indicate overcurrent (that I never implemented), and neon bulb to indicate power on.

 

What is the terminal labeled "Current"?

Good question. I only just noticed it. I had to have a close look at it.
It is a blank hole filled with a circular strain relief. It was probably meant for a pot for current limit setting.

 

Hey everyone, I just bought my first bench power supply, it is used, but I found it somewhat cheap(?). It is a Keysight U8002A. I saw from the official website that it is selling for $795, and I found this for around $282 shipped. Is this considered a good find or I should have bought something else with the money?

I know that HP, Agilent, and Keysight formerly were the same company, how was the quality build between each company? Did it deteriorates from Agilent to Keysight, or did it improve?

Last thing, when the PSU arrive, what should I test to make sure that the PSU is working properly?

Thanks everyone!

It's probably a good price on a good supply, although all bets are off on a used supply because you don't know how hard it's been abused.

But, as others have said, it is probably much more than you could have spent on a supply the would more than satisfy your actual needs. Hobbyists tend to be tool whores, myself included. It is easy for us to talk ourselves into spending money on tools and equipment that far surpass our actual needs.

Building your own supply has a lot to be said for it. Not only can it be extremely cheap, but it is very educational and satisfying to use equipment that you designed and built. Plus, when it breaks down, you are in an excellent position to diagnose and fix it.