EEVblog #1031 - $25 DPS3003 PSU Module Characterisation

Characterising the performance and efficiency of the $25 DPS3003 30V 3A lab power supply module from RDtech.
Includes a how-to on measuring DC-DC converter efficiency graphs, with module power loss on the secondary Y axis.

Previous video on the DPS3003 & other PSU Modules

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[Schwuuuuup]

If you push the rotary encoder while setting the volts and amps you can skip to higher digits and dial in 0.1 or 1.0 increments

[Slugsie]

Press V or A to select Volts or Amps, then press the knob to select which digit you want to adjust. Even better.

[venim]

I bought this one as I wanted a mini suitcase with all necessary tools for an electrical engineer.. I have to say, I didn't look much info about it and I just trusted my gut feeling when buying this, and I was very very impressed by it, especially for the price!

Now I have a suitcase with this mini DPXXX PSU, the ATMega328 based transistor+component tester+frequency generator(pwm) thingy, DSO138 based mini digital oscilloscope (for low freq simple stuff), a "no-name" Logic 16 logic analyzer + rasperry pi zero with screen to run it on (+mini keyboard, mouse), Yihua adjustable temperature soldering iron (amazing), small ESD mat, glue gun, couple of multimeters.. and many many other stuff.. all that inside a small suitcase and I easily spent less than 100€ (with shipments) for all those stuff, haha!
Thank you China for letting us poor electrical engineers to have our gadgets! :D

[BrunoPOWEEER]

Yeaaahh... very helpful video, these little buck modules are super neat and super handy, thaaanks for spending time characterising it, this will help a lot of people out there!!

[RonaldWijermars-rohmega]

Thanks for this detailed test of the module. As I and others pointed out in your previous video, you can adjust the voltage and current more quickly, while in the voltage/current adjustment mode, you can press the rotary encoder button, which will move the cursor to 0.1, 1.0 or 10v per turn. It's of course also mentoined in the manual.

[VolthausLabElectronics]

I was very happy to discover that when setting the voltage and current on the main page of the DPS3003's user interface you can push the pot button and select different digits in front of or behind the decimal point to speed up the value selection you want.

[KF-bjce]

Very helpful, I am thinking of purchasing 2 of these and connecting to center taped transformer with bridge rectifier to obtain negative and positive output supply. I also like the out On/Off. Can see the importance of output filtering. Great video love your all encompassing explanation - thanks

[stanfrinak]

To set the voltage press V turn the knob to change value press in on the knob to select the decimal place the same setup is used for the current. MI and M2 are used to save settings and recall settings. You can also save and recall more settings if you use the set button.

[bobcunningham]

I really like how Dave covers the entire test equipment range, from "Don't Waste Your Money" to Unobtanium. For a useful instrument at the low end, Dave's highest praise tends to be something like "Not a Complete Waste of Money".

Hearing Dave glow about $20-$50 power supply modules induces blurry double-vision with Rod Serling talking in the background over the Twilight Zone theme.

Which means the world's supply of these modules is about to vanish...

[solosamp]

It may be that my glasses needed cleaning, but this video looks extra crispy and contrasty to me... Great content and very interesting little module. I was just researching the viability of making a quick and dirty PSU with a boost/buck converter and a LCD multimeter. This seems more compact and with many more functions!

[karlporath]

A great voltage supply for these units are old stereo receivers. For less than $20 here in the US you can get a unit from Goodwill or Salvation Army. You'll get a big transformer usually with multiple taps, and a bridge rectifier, and a big input smoothing cap for dirt cheap.

[gregclare]

Interestingly I managed to order a DPS3003 for AU$18.98 delivered, shortly after Dave's first video. But I now see the same listing has been bumped up to AU$28.80.  These ebay sellers must love Dave!

[Wheresmy]

Dave, If you push the encoder while changing voltage or current on the home screen, the resolution will switch from 1mv increments up the scall with every push.

[gorillaau]

Dave, can you do a video on creating a filter to smooth the output. Inductor inline or a capacitor across the output?

[piotrliszka]

filter combined with inductor and small tantalum capacitors should smoth the output perfectly. this kind of filtering to get rid of ripple and noise is commonly use in pc power supplies and does decent job! ;) I waiting for my DPS5015. great job Dave, thanks for your efforts to characterize this nice kit ;)

[Mromfgtrololol]

Better than my Philips Rack PSU.
Hasn't been calibrated since 1990... The output is very unstable. And it weighs a ton.

It was a freebie, I'll fix it someday soon.

[ninjatech]

If you are in the current/voltage set mode on the main graphis screen and press in the rotary encoder knob you change the cursor position so you don't have to only adjust the 10mv range, or 1ma range.

[shazam]

Great 3 minute Video! (I think the right arrow key was invented for Dave's videos!). I also see by the comments that many viewers need a basic refresher on "reverse engineering" LC filters. Actually, no need to "reverse engineer" anything since the Regulator IC's Data Sheets and APP notes have it all!

[TheKetsa]

Click that rotary encoder to change unit digits while setting voltage/amperage.

[Jensen]

If you click the knob you can change what digit you are spinning up or down. At least on the higher current model I have the knob is also a button.