Electroform / Multi Use Power Source

by palombo5050 in Circuits > Electronics

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Electroform / Multi Use Power Source

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In this instructible I finally made a device I can use on my tool bench / work station to deliver the needed power necessary for multiple applications.  When I am tinkering and manipulating various objects, I am always needing a power source.  Whether I am testing a laser, LED, DC motor, or electroforming an object, it drives me nuts fumbling through the various power transformers I have collected over the years in order to find the right source.  Well here it is.  The multi variable voltage and current controller.  This little doo-dad is setup to deliver .5-12 vdc and about .010 - 2.00 amps.  It has a built in voltage and current meter that has selectible readings from volts to watts, and amps to Amp Henrys.  It has adjustment screws that allows you to manipulate the voltage and adjust the current under load conditions.  I love it and wanted to share this with you.  I hope you enjoy it.  I believe this little guy will be great for all types of applications that I made a few more that I will be selling on Ebay.

Parts / Tools

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Parts:
Project Enclosure box from Radio Shack (You have questions...They usually don't have the right answers)
Voltage and Current meter from internet
DC to DC controller from internet
Bananna connectors from internet

Tools:
Dremmel
Solder iron
Drill
And my favorite "HOT GLUE"

Component Assembly 1

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For this application, I disassembled and modified part components so they would fit in my enclosure.
Please take a look at the picture notes.

Top Enclosure Assembly

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  1. I layed out the placement of the circuit board and scored the plate to prepare for the cutting with the Dremmel.
  2. Now to place the Bananna connectors by marking where the holes will be drilled.
  3. Finally I soldered jumpers from the out put side of the meter to the Bananna Connectors.

Bottom Enclosure Assembly

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  1. I placed the DC to DC controller in enclosure and marked where adjustment screws would be viewed and manipulated from the outside.
  2. I drilled a vent hole to help dissapate any possible heat.
  3. I permanently mounted the controller with Hot Glue
  4. Next I soldered the out put leads from the DC to DC controller to the Meter input.
  5. Finally I soldered the 12vdc 2amp max power source to the input leads to the DC to DC controller paying attention to polarity.

Tested and Ready to Go

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Final testing.

You can select between volts and watts or amps and Ah with selectible buttons.

I adjusted the voltage to have an output of 3.51 volts.  I can adjust the current once under load..up to 2 amps.

The input voltage is 12vdc with a max of 2 amps.