SDG #129 Budget 400W 150V DC Load - Kunkin KP184

Soldering Tools and Equipment:

Test Equipment:

Microscope Equipment:

[larrybud]

I know there are several videos on this unit and this video is 5 years old, but these are still being sold. There's a couple of things which aren't mentioned here: The banana jacks are 4.2 mm and not 4mm. One common fix is to replace these with your own. Also there's an issue with the transformer at 9:10 being bent up and making contact above it, shorting the ground and negative out. The fix is to bend the mounting tabs correctly and/or apply some insulation tape to the body of the transformer to prevent shorts. Something to check if you buy one.

[ColtonBaldridge]

Great video, would love to see a video on the repair of the other power supply!

[voltlog]

Thanks for the review! I was actually curious how one of these looks inside as I've been keeping it in my wishlist. Even with the messy assembly quality this seems to be a good value for money as it meets the specs and provides decent functionality. And I'm pretty sure the company that makes these, will improve the assembly quality on future versions as I've experience this while reviewing different revisions of the Gophert power supplies over the years and each new revision their assembly got cleaner.

[The.Doctor.Venkman]

Good review, Steve. I'm looking forward to you tearing down and testing that new multi-meter.

[PapasDino]

Thanks for the review Steve. A DC electronic load is the kind of test gear that you didn't know how useful they can be until you get one. I started with the BK8540 which as a similar form factor but only 150W. Rigol had a sale recently and I broke down and got their DL3021A but it's only rated at 200W. I'd be interested in how this one will actually do long term at draws upwards of 400W for extended periods of time. Having said that most folks don't really need that much dissipation at the hobbyist workbench. I'm interested in your HV DC supplies and look forward to more info from you on them. BTW, rework gel is on the way from Solderking, thanks again for the tip!

[tablatronix]

These reviews are really nice, very knowledgable, appreciate the comments on the individual components, ala mp and adc, very detailed.

[OrbiterElectronics]

Nice to see some good components being implemented in this unit, and with build quality & performance living up to expectations it seems a nice unit for the price. Thanks Steve 👍

[tractorboy]

For the money it looks worthy of consideration, along with the possible programming option. Good review, thanks!

[borayurt]

It is a good piece of bench equipment. I specifically like the constant resistance mode, something usually omitted in similar electronic DC loads.

[MrChris]

Callibration can be done by holding the arrow up button while powering it on via the switch on the back

[manu]

The ET3340 looks very well for a full review :)

[konohh]

Thanks for the great review. At 6:55 I may have spotted a broken solder joint on the front PCB. Above and right of the electrolytic capacitor, in the second row of THT solder joints (counted from the bottom up), there is a very odd looking solder joint.

[akhurash]

Looking forward to the review of the multimeter!

[robertcalkjr.]

Thanks Steve! Looks like a pretty good deal for the money. I would imagine that there are some trim pots inside it that can be used to make it more accurate.

[Spence-qe]

I agree with you as far as some pretty good gear coming out of China. It seems they are stepping up their game and it is good to see. I have been looking for a DC load and this one looks like it may have a home in my lab. As always thanks for sharing!!

[Spence-qe]

Looks like a nice bit of Thanks for sharing.

[TheodoreJKaczynski]

I have a KP184, some issues:
- Off by 20mV or so once hot.
- Load positive connected to metal on rear panel (shock hazard).
Also it has battery test. Push shift than up.

[TheStuffMade]

Nice review thanks. Sounds like great value for money. It would be nice to see how fast it reacts sudden changes on the input, as in, does it adjust the load in a micro controller or is it a proper analog feedback design for all modes.

[Corgitronics]

Nice review! I had seen similar units but I have not tried them out yet. I would be interested in seeing what noise this load might introduce into power supply tests. One of my Array units works fine, but causes so much noise on the lines that it is useless for testing PSUs.

[kittsdiy]

Mine just came in last week .. from CZ warehouse so no import duties . first tests seem to be nice .. for the price it's surely is nice addition to the lab..