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Elenco AC/DC Triple Output Power Supply Kit
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About this item
- Build an AC/DC Triple Output Power Supply, useful anywhere precise DC voltage is required
- Features three fully regulated solid-state power supplies
- Ideal for use in school labs
- Made in the United States
- For 30 years Elenco has been using their strong engineering and design skills to develop reliable, affordable electronic test equipment, tools, and educational kits
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Elenco FM Radio Kit | Elenco Practical Soldering Kit | Snap Circuits SC-100 | Smartivity Music Machine | Teach Tech Zivko Robot | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars
1,460
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4.6 out of 5 stars
541
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4.8 out of 5 stars
17,182
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4.6 out of 5 stars
688
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4.0 out of 5 stars
1,015
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STEM Education | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Minimum Age | 13+ | 12+ | 8+ | 8+ | 10+ |
Practical Skills | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Batteries Required | None | None | None | ✓ | ✓ |
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 8 x 6 x 3.5 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 0.01 ounces |
ASIN | B0002DT0GU |
Item model number | XP-720K |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #297,020 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #2,775 in Educational Science Kits |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | May 10, 2004 |
Manufacturer | Elenco Electronics LLC |
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Product Description
Product Description
Assemble this kit and you will have Elenco's popular AC/DC Triple Output Power Supply, ideal for use in school labs, service shops or anywhere a precise DC voltage is required. It features three fully regulated solid-state power supplies, 1. 25-15V @ 1A, 1. 25 to 15V @ 1A, or (3-30V @ 1A) and 5V @ 3A. It also has 6. 3VAC @ 1A and 12. 6VAC center-tapped @ 1A A special IC circuit keeps the output voltage within . 2V when going from no load to 1 ampere and is fully protected from short circuits. Dimensions 3 (H) x 8(W) x 6 (D). Weight 7 lbs. Made in the United States. Features include: Build an AC/DC Triple Output Power Supply, useful anywhere precise DC voltage is required Features three fully regulated solid-state power supplies Ideal for use in school labs Made in the United States For 30 years Elenco has been using their strong engineering and design skills to develop reliable, affordable electronic test equipment, tools, and educational kits Recommended Ages: 12 and up
From the Manufacturer
Assemble this kit and you will have Elenco's popular AC/DC Triple Output Power Supply, ideal for use in school labs, service shops or anywhere a precise DC voltage is required. It features three fully regulated solid-state power supplies, 1.25-15V @ 1A, –1.25 to –15V @ 1A, or (3-30V @ 1A) and 5V @ 3A. It also has 6.3VAC @ 1A and 12.6VAC center-tapped @ 1A A special IC circuit keeps the output voltage within .2V when going from no load to 1 ampere and is fully protected from short circuits. Dimensions 3 ½”(H) x 8”(W) x 6 ½”(D). Weight 7 lbs. Made in the United States.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of assembly, performance, and power supply of the hobby kit. For example, they mention the instructions are easy to follow, the overall circuit is very simple, and the power supply works well. Some appreciate the value for money, saying it's a good low cost power supply.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the product. They say it's a well-made, basic kit with plenty of room for additional features. They also say it is a fun kit to build and useful in the shop. Customers also mention that the quality is good, the circuit board is easy to solder, and the PS itself is really nice. Overall, customers find it to be a great addition to a basic electronics lab.
"...a good electrical conductor (not great, but good enough), and really resists wear from the constant friction of plugging and unplugging of your leads..." Read more
"...It's a great basic kit, but seems to have plenty of room for additional customization if desired...." Read more
"...Straighforward low-noise linear design. Well documented, simple textbook circuit that should be easy to repair in the unlikely event something..." Read more
"...As for the supply itself, the design is okay, although there's some pretty big issues with it, in my opinion...." Read more
Customers find the instructions in the kit easy to follow and accurate. They say the kit is fun to assemble and not too difficult. Customers also say the overall circuit is very simple and works perfectly. They mention that the documentation is excellent and includes many pictures, diagrams, and theory.
"...The overall circuit is very simple, through hole based so if a componet happens to fail it would be an easy fix...." Read more
"...Assembly was straightforward and the instructions were on the whole very clear, with only a couple of points where it took a few moments to puzzle..." Read more
"...No rare, complex, or expensive parts. Good, very detailed, instructions (download them from Elenco and read them before buying this kit)...." Read more
"...a few odd design choices, but it works well enough and is really easily modified/upgraded...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the power supply. They mention that it works well, provides a consistent source for all circuits, and passes all functional tests first try. The meters work fine, and the kit is easy to make and pretty usable. The theory of operation, check sheets, and pictures make the instructions clear. Overall, customers find the product to be a useful power supply that can be fun and educational.
"...So the mods can be fun, useful, let you learn a little if your new to electronics and offer serious bang for the buck features that you would..." Read more
"...Everything worked perfectly on the first go, and all fell nicely within spec and tested as follows:..." Read more
"...help secure them in any way, and a few odd design choices, but it works well enough and is really easily modified/upgraded...." Read more
"Just finished building it. I was pleased that I had a functioning power supply once I flipped the switch for the first time...." Read more
Customers like the power supply. They say it's a good little power supply, usable, and versatile. Customers also say it provides plenty of power for experiments and circuit design and development. They also say the power supplies itself is an excellent tool and a nice voltage source when finished.
"...future upgrades it will be about $120-$130 spent and I'll have a very versatile PSU, thats cool running, silent, and built to last...." Read more
"...It's a great basic kit, but seems to have plenty of room for additional customization if desired...." Read more
"...That aside, overall, its a good kit, usable power supply, whether one chooses to mod it or not." Read more
"...All-in-all thought it's a good power supply. Just watch out for the way DROK samples current." Read more
Customers like the value of the power supply. They say it helps keep the kit cost low by eliminating sockets. Some say it's accurate and offers serious bang for the buck features. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...let you learn a little if your new to electronics and offer serious bang for the buck features that you would normally pay several hundred bucks for..." Read more
"...As is it's a solid, good value kit right out of the box." Read more
"...No rare, complex, or expensive parts. Good, very detailed, instructions (download them from Elenco and read them before buying this kit)...." Read more
"This kit, at an unbeatable price for its functionality, is much more difficult to put together than I originally had expected...." Read more
Customers find the kit useful and teaches some basics. They say it's a good project for beginners and a perfect introduction to electronics and soldering. Customers also mention that the kit is well-documented, has a simple textbook circuit, and explains the circuit quite well.
"...Straighforward low-noise linear design. Well documented, simple textbook circuit that should be easy to repair in the unlikely event something..." Read more
"...Other than those things, the manual includes a significant amount of details about the design choices that were made for the somewhat unique circuit..." Read more
"...instruction booklet details the process of soldering and explains the circuit quite well. It however, falls short on the order of the instructions...." Read more
"...Fun to assemble also. Good education tool." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the damage of the product. They mention that the potentiometers are broken and the PCB did not hold up well. The enclosure came in all banged up, and the transformer came dented along with the external case cover. Some of the binding posts on the front panel were damaged. The potentsiometer did not work and the fuse blew.
"...Light goes on and off. FML. Fuse blew...." Read more
"...A mounting tab on the transformer was significantly bent, but easily straightened...." Read more
"...based on how it performs, but a faulty pot (measures 5k-200k) damaged some components and the PCB did not hold up well to rework...." Read more
"...The only problem was that some of the binding posts on the front panel were damaged (plastic threads were cross-threaded) and had to be replaced..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the appearance of the product. They mention that it has an old school design with odd design choices. They also say that the circuit design is old-fashioned and quite simple. Customers also mention that the linear design is not terribly efficient, consuming more power.
"...Adjustable supplies go no lower than 1.25V. The linear design isn't terribly efficient, consuming more power and generating more waste heat than a..." Read more
"...the unit without a PCB to help secure them in any way, and a few odd design choices, but it works well enough and is really easily modified/..." Read more
"...I enjoy these kinds of things so it was fun for me. The circuit design is old fashioned and quite simple, but I expect it will meet the specs they..." Read more
"bad design and cheap material..." Read more
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Now for the binding posts, there is no excuse. Elenco not only picked the cheapest posts they could find, when it became a problem they didn't bother to correctly address the problem. See a modern, quality binding post will be hard nickel plated on the post part but the area you attach the wiring will either be gold plated or bare, polished copper. Why? Because you can solder to gold or copper. You cant really solder to nickel very well. The reason they are fully nickel plated is because of costs. Nickel is a good electrical conductor (not great, but good enough), and really resists wear from the constant friction of plugging and unplugging of your leads. So thats a good thing. But when these cheap posts are made, they just plate the entire steel part in nickel instead of just the binding part and then polishing the internal hookup part as that is several extra steps that raise costs. So Elenco decided that on the 2010 revision of this kit to include 7 extra nuts but not add instruct the builder that they should just use the extra nuts to attach the wires in place with. Now the overall quality of the posts is fine, you just cant really solder the wires to them easily. Trying to use the extra nuts to bind them to the posts in cramped quarters is also pretty annoying. Run down to your local Radio Shack and pick up a $2.00 pack of 22 gauge ring terminals (catalog 64-3114) and use them instead. Just give yourself and extra half inch of wire on each of the binding post wires. Strip off one full inch instead of the 1/4" the instructions say. Double it over and solder it together. Then crimp it in the ring terminal and screw into place with the extra nut. Much simpler than trying to solder the posts or holding the wire in place in such cramped quarters.
Other than that, the only parts I found that were just bad were a couple of caps. One of the 22,000µf and my 47,000µf were right at the very brink of their +/- 20% range, so I upgraded all my caps to new, high temp, low ESR caps that should last a good decade or two. Total price was an extra $7.00 with shipping. So if you can, check your caps before you build. You should be fine, but caps are cheap and good ones will last for a long time.
A few do's and don'ts for the kit: Dont use the included lead free solder unless you have a tip and iron for lead free solder. Its hard to work with, it eats up your tip, and requires a good bit of excess heat. Do get some .20, .30, or .40 size 60/40 or 63/37 lead solder with a rosin core. When it comes to electronics, lead is indeed your friend. Don't use the included two pieces of plastic based heatshrink tubbing. Do get an assortment pack of different size heatshrink tubbing and use that instead. Heatshink all exposed contact points in the kit with individual tubes and not just one big one.
This kit can be modded a bit. Like many who have built this kit, I chose to install a couple of 2k, 10 turn, wire wound pots to make fine tuning type adjustments. The simple carbon pots that come with the kit will work just fine. I just wanted more precision (ie fine tuning) when setting my voltages. If you don't happen to have a couple of these in your parts bin, then they will cost a bit. Upwards of $35.00 for two with shipping. That includes an extra few bucks for new dials since the included dials, wont fit most multi-turn pots. If you go this route, you will have to drill out the holes just ever so slightly more. We're talking just a hair or two.
There is also plenty of room for a display to be installed in the company logo area of the front panel. I will be adding one in the future as I can see that checking my voltage every time with a multimeter will become a bit of a pain. I've already seen one kit where somebody installed a 20 x 4 line LCD display for this and it reads voltage and amps for all outputs.
There is even a little extra room between the AC and DC rails for installing a load circuit, which I plan to do.
So you can spend twice the price to upgrade this kit if your not careful. Keep in mind that most of these mods are just fun to add and helpful but are not needed. For that amount of cash you could just but a PSU with a display, and fine tuning built in. But the main reason to do it with this kit is it offers dual adjustable DC jacks at 1 amp, a constant 5v DC at 3 amps, and a 6.3/12.6v AC. You cant come anywhere near a quality tri-rail PSU at the $120-$130 mark. So the mods can be fun, useful, let you learn a little if your new to electronics and offer serious bang for the buck features that you would normally pay several hundred bucks for in a prebuilt PSU.
The case and transformer are very well made and should last a very long time if treated with care. The taps on the transformer are made with silicone covered wire (which really surprised me) so they wont get brittle with age and heat like the common PVC types. The overall circuit is very simple, through hole based so if a componet happens to fail it would be an easy fix.
All in all, its a great value kit that offers lots of upgrades options and should last a long time. I got it in January when Amazon was selling it for $49.00 (with prime), and I see that its now up to $59.00. That seems to be the average price online, so I dont think it will really go up more than this. I've put about $40.00 in parts and upgrades to it, and I'm very pleased with the end result. When I'm finished with future upgrades it will be about $120-$130 spent and I'll have a very versatile PSU, thats cool running, silent, and built to last. I give it five stars.
***EDIT***
Quick tip for building: Flux and tin ALL the PCB solder pads before you begin to populate the board. The solder pads on the PCB are beyond huge and if you try to solder components without the tinning, it will make the work much slower as it will take forever to heat up those large areas and leave your iron on your parts for to long. Don't forget to clean off any excess flux when you are done assembling the PCB.
Assembly was straightforward and the instructions were on the whole very clear, with only a couple of points where it took a few moments to puzzle out what was intended. As far as the assembly goes, the only tricky bits were when it came to the binding posts (required extra heat and flux to solder to), and the method of installing the ICs was decidedly "quick and dirty". That said, I suspect part of the reason it was done that way was to make it much less difficult to get the ICs installed and mounted. Getting them properly positioned onto a secondary PCB and then have them precisely match the predrilled mounting holes in the heatsink would have been significantly more fiddly than just soldering wires directly to the leads. As long as the wires are properly tinned and looped, and the assembly isn't rushed it's really not so bad.
The lack of some sort of display is a slight disappointment, but adding one would only increase the cost and complexity of the kit so I fully understand why one wasn't part of the design.
Everything worked perfectly on the first go, and all fell nicely within spec and tested as follows:
Pos Var DC: 1.23v - 18.03v (spec calls for 1.25 - 15)
Neg Var DC: -1.24v - -17.57v (spec calls for -1.25 - -15)
+5VDC: 4.90 (acceptable range 4.75 - 5.25)
12.6VAC: 13.77 (acceptable range 11 - 14)
I enjoyed putting the kit together and am very happy with the finished product. In the future I'd even consider using the kit as a basis for another supply, but modified with a PCB for the ICs and the addition of a display. It's a great basic kit, but seems to have plenty of room for additional customization if desired.
As is it's a solid, good value kit right out of the box.
Top reviews from other countries
For me, this was a great way to get back into electronics. There are tons of websites out there to complement your learning as you and after you construct the power supply. And once you are done, you have a power supply for future experiments! I've now moved on to the Elenco AM radio kit which is a great next project. They even suggest using a 9v power supply whilst testing the circuits which you will already have if you've completed the power supply kit.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't buy Elenco's cables to use with this as you can make your own much cheaper (and plus you learn more during the process).
Hint: Trace the wiring in the instruction book with color pencil crayons before you start that part. Notice all the red are the center posts on all the transistors and IC's on the heat sink.
Recommend. You can add an LED Digital Voltmeter Ammeter and a 40mm fan to the case easily. The fan uses the 12V output and common ground and the volt/amp meter comes with directions. The dials adjust but you always know the exact voltage or amps it's set at without fumbling with your Fluke. Keeping it cool is never a bad thing. I would highly recommend this kit for anyone needing a power supply and soldering practice. It is possible to get the same thing with digital display for the same or similar price.
My only major criticism is regarding the cheap quality of the binding posts. It's very easy to cross-thread the mounting threads. Tip: use the inside-teeth lock-washers that are provided (in an easy to miss little plastic bag), not the split ring lock-washers that come already on the binding posts.
Also, the holes that are drilled in the binding posts for wires were randomly oriented; they may end up horizontal or vertical or somewhere in-between. I had to disassemble them and re-orient the holes so that they ended up being vertical.
I used the supplied solder (there was barely enough) which was labelled as tin-copper alloy (?) with a 700 degree soldering iron tip. No problems were encountered soldering, although most of the circuit board holes should be reduced in size.
Otherwise, it went together quite smoothly and performed perfectly right from the start.
Ken, Toronto.
Some tools required for this project are: soldering iron, soldering tip cleaner, pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, phillips screwdriver, a multi-meter (for testing) and some basic electronic knowledge.
I like the fact it technically has 6 separate outputs 6.3 VAC, 6.3 VAC (12.6 VAC total), +5 VDC, +1.25-15 VDC, -1.25-15 VDC. the AC common is shared between the two AC outputs and the DC common is shared between all DC outputs which is acceptable.
The negative side is assembly is painful. The wiring from the board to the heat-sink components was frustrating to say the least. I would recommend cutting the wires a little longer in order to ease the soldering. I ended up cutting out the casework above the heatsink and wiring the board and IC's as a unit then doing the transformer supplies and and then mounting the board to the chassis and finally the terminal posts and pots. The terminal post soldering was a bit finicky and I didn't realise I could of used the hex nuts until halfway through. I would class this as an intermediate build due to the cramped workspace and awkward layout of the PCB.
I will install a volt/ammeter into the front panel for easy reference.
DROK®0.28''LED DC0-100V 10A Digital voltmeter Ammeter 2in1 Multimeter 12V/24V Voltage Amperage Meter Volt Amp Gauge Panel with Red/Blue Dual Color Display and Build-in Shunt for Car Auto Boat Battery Monitoring