1U 130W new power supplies for $3.95 from MPJA

[sms]

I was looking for some cheap, slim, power supplies, with no vents on the
top or bottom, for some embedded development platforms (previously
Arduino, now Raspberry Pi and Beagle Board).

I bought five of these back when the price was a ridiculously high
$5.95. I went back to buy some more and I saw that the price has fallen
to $3.95. The shipping is no bargain though.

+5V 15A
+3.3V 10A
75 watt max combined on +5V and +3.3V

+12V 6A
-12V 0.4A
+5V Standby (when supply is turned off but plugged in) 0.25A

130 watts maximum total power so you can't have every output at maximum
current simultaneously.

<http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=17602+PS>. Power cord not included.

I opened one up, to complete the partial specification that MPJA has on
their site, and they look to be very well made.

I measured the voltages and they have very tight regulation (+/-1% when
you use the sense lines). No -5V, but if you really need it an LM7905
from the -12 would get you some -5V. The proprietary connectors are
useless of course, but you'll just cut them off anyway. There is no good
pin-out sheet on the MPJA site, but I figured out all the connections
and posted it: <http://oi42.tinypic.com/2r6l6k3.jpg>

 

[miso]

The Arm boards I've used are just 5V. I use a 3A regulated switchmode
wall wart. Wouldn't something like a Meanwell or Volgen make more sense
if you wanted to go "upscale?" Granted not $4.

I see those Sun power supplies at Excess Solutions if you are in the bay
area. Not $4 though. More like $15. I'm leery to use them since computer
supplies often have minimum loads.

The website only shows items they have in quantity. I usually get items
where they only have two or three. Usually better stuff than what they
have on the website.

http://www.excesssolutions.com/cgi-bin/category/11320

The Volgens, when you can find them, are generally new old stock made in
Japan. Meanwells are Taiwan or China. Volgen NOS is common on Ebay too.

 

[sms]

The Arm boards I've used are just 5V. I use a 3A regulated switchmode
wall wart. Wouldn't something like a Meanwell or Volgen make more sense
if you wanted to go "upscale?" Granted not $4.

The issue is that I always need to power other stuff besides the
embedded board. I almost always need some +12V and some 3.3V.

I see those Sun power supplies at Excess Solutions if you are in the bay
area. Not $4 though. More like $15. I'm leery to use them since computer
supplies often have minimum loads.

These do not have minimum loads.

The website only shows items they have in quantity. I usually get items
where they only have two or three. Usually better stuff than what they
have on the website.

The Volgens, when you can find them, are generally new old stock made in
Japan. Meanwells are Taiwan or China. Volgen NOS is common on Ebay too.

I haven't been to Excess Solutions and I am in the Bay Area. I'll have
to check it out. I go to Halted quite often but the store always looks
like a tornado or earthquake just hit the inside.