Tekpower TP3005D Digital Variable Linear Type DC Power Supply, 0-30V @ 0-5A with Alligator Cable and Power Cord

Tekpower TP3005DFirst, Now semi-retired, I've been 'doing' Electronics both Professionally and as a hobby for over 60 years (I always say that to let people know where I'm coming from on these reviews).I have a small (4 foot long), but well equipped maintenance bench in the radio room. On an adjacent shelf is a 13.6V 20 Amp regulated Power Supply (as well as another one to run the radios in the operating position). That PS is to work on the "big" radios. I also had a small homebrewed 4 output regulated PS I'd designed for working on smaller projects. It could put out up to 1 Amp each at 5, 12, 1.25-15 & 1.25-15 Volts. NO metering, it had to be checked with an external meter.Sometimes I needed more current than the homebrewed one could put out, at a different Voltage than the 13.6 Volt one provides. I decided that it was high time to do the job right and buy a more appropriate PS. Now, I've been in the business long enough to know what a GOOD power supply should and should not do!I did a lot of research, looking at ALL the various options that Amazon offers, and they offer a LOT of options in power supplies!The MOST IMPORTANT single thing was it HAD to be a LINEAR PS, switching power supplies often create a LOT of noise that affect radio operations, not a good thing when you're troubleshooting or aligning a set.Also, a range of 0-15 Volts minimum, easy to adjust accurately (some with a single range control are touchy to adjust). It also had to be well regulated and stable, maintaining a setting with load changes and over long periods of time. Internal metering of both Voltage and Current was very important to me. Efficient Cooling, preferably with temperature sensing was also a must.********************************After a couple weeks of studying many specifications, reviews and THINKING about different models, I settled on the Tekpower TP3005D for a number of reasons. My first thought was I only needed 0-15V at up to 3 Amps, regulated and with Current limiting in case something shorted in the DUT (Device Under Test). But in the end I decided that it wouldn't hurt to buy more PS than my minimum needs as once bought, if it isn't large enough for something you're up a creek without a paddle!Hence the reason for buying the 0-30V 5 Amp model!*********************************OK, how well does it work? All I can say is it's absolutely WONDERFUL! I never imagined that I could buy that much PS of this quality for under $100. I bought two of them as I sometimes need two different Voltages to power different devices at the same time. They sit on the overhead shelf of my workbench, plugged in and ready for instant use.The day they came in I set up some large resistor loads so I could draw a steady load of 4 Amps at 15 Volts (figured that a 60 Watt load was a good workout). I set the Voltage to exactly 15 Volts NO LOAD with one of my Bench DVMs then checked the internal meters against it. The internal meter (at 15V read 14.9V. Believe me, .1V (one tenth Volt) accuracy (the limit of the internal meter resolution) is VERY good for such a device.I then connected the "bank" of resistors that comprised my 4 Amp load to the PS, still monitoring the output with the external DVM and read the Voltage with a 4 Amp load. It didn't change AT ALL. Output was still 15.0 Volts. With that load the current meter displayed 4 Amps +/-, I forgot to record the exact reading. But for all practical purposes it was dead on.*******************************I wanted to run this load for awhile and see how well the unit's fan handled the cooling. The fan came on after a couple minutes and the air exiting was warm, but not what I considered excessively hot. I should have put a temperature probe on the fan output, but didn't think to do so.The unit was left running like this for two hours (a brutal test). The Voltage remained absolutely stable at 15V. Nothing smelled hot or out of the ordinary.After the tests were run I disconnected the loads and left the Power Supplies turned on 24/7 for several days (set to exactly 13.6V), no load. During that time, every time I tested their output the Voltage remained exactly where I'd set it. You don't get any better than that.NOTE: As you adjust the output Voltage you can hear relays changing transformer taps. This is GOOD as it means that the regulator Pass Transistors DON'T have to drop a great deal more Voltage (read Power/Heat) than is necessary! The relays seem to switch at about the 8, 15 & 23 Volt points.***********************************Since these arrived I've had occasion to use them quite a few times. They're convenient to use. Turn on, set the Voltage and connect the DUT, then have fun (or get to work).***********************************NOTE: I'm NOT one to give flowery reviews, I call them as I see them, but in my book this PS is a DEFINITE 5+!After thoroughly testing them I gave away my homebrewed PS to a local Ham who could use it.

I purchased this power supply in October 2018, and used it mostly for 12V circuit and instrument testing. The positive: It seems to be build pretty solidly, it is very easy to set voltage/current levels, easy to read output screens, and in general very simple to use. However after 15 months of very light use, it now will not output any voltage (the voltage screen shows a voltage, but there is never any current output). I saw another reviewer had the same problem after only a few days.There is a 1 year warranty on this product from TekPower. After calling TekPower support, they advised that I would have to pay shipping both to and from the repair center, as well as the repair cost, and it probably would be cheaper to just purchase a new unit. I understand the 1 year warranty limitation, however I am very disappointed with the short time that the power supply has lasted. Perhaps this should be expected from such and inexpensive unit, however I did expect it to last much longer.

As a jeweler, I needed a good power supply for copper and silver plating, electro etching and electro forming small items (under 10 sq. in.). I also use it as a PS for breadbording small electronic circuits (5v or less).My main concern was repeatable control. The unit performs exceptionally well, and I really like that I can accurately set the voltage, and limit the current. As a result, I can set the volts / amps, based on the surface area of the item to be plated, formed or etched, yielding higher quality results.Highly recommend this unit.

It arrived in good condition and worked great the first time I plugged it in. I have used it to power a product I'm developing while on the bench and was very easily able to dial in the voltage I wanted, then use the current display to see how much power it was pulling before and after adding the load resistors. I am able to use my previous alligator clips and IC hooks with it. Quite happy with the purchase, especially for the price.Disclaimer- I have only had it for a couple of weeks and have only used it a couple of times thus far.

Good voltage and current regulation, but the thermally-triggered cooling fan is NOISY! If drawing 1 amp or less at 12 volts, fan stays off, but more current triggers fan cooling. Would rather have a continuously-running quiet fan.