LM317, variable resistor, and multimeter. hehehe ... but I know what you mean, it was that the OP (i think) asked specifically about converting a PC power supply for use a lab power supply is all. I happen to use that setup. At some point I think I'll just make a nice lab supply from scratch, but it was a quick and dirty way to get some common voltages to start into electronics. Anywho, Peace MJ Brush ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Chops Westfield" To: Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 3:52 PM Subject: Re: [EE: ] what is a logic analyzer? > On Wednesday, Jun 2, 2004, at 08:53 US/Pacific, Matthew Brush wrote: > > > I made my bench supply with an old 250W AT power supply from an old > > computer. It works great and has some good voltages (+/-5v, +/-12v, > > +/-3.3v). Another great thing is that it can put out a lot of power, > > more then I've ever needed. > > Hmm. When I said a power supply, I mean a LAB-style power supply. One > with variable voltage (0-30V) and variable current limit (0-3A, > typical), and meters so you can see what's going on. I find this to be > very useful; for instance when initially connecting some circuit, I set > the current limit to about what I expect it to draw, and if it goes > into limit, I start to suspect something wrong in my circuit. A power > supply that merely provides common voltages at "more current than > you'll ever use" is not nearly as useful. IMO, of course. > > Given the additional background from the original poster, I'm not sure > that would be the best thing. You need expectations and some initial > background to use the power supply effectively. The supply is a sort > of engineering tool A scope, on the other hand, is a better learning > tool. > > I'd say it depends on whether he can afford a scope... > > BillW > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.