Thurlby PL Bench PSU with strange add-on

[canonman75]

Hi folks

I recently picked up a dual Thurlby PL310 bench power supply with a strange add-on panel between the two supplies, marked "REL. TEST SUPPLY Mk 2".

I was wondering if anyone out there had any info on it? All I know is that it took a 12v feed from one of the boards to power the hour meter (as long as the switch was down!) and had an earth connection to the case. I'm presuming the four leads that poke of the front were connected to the output terminals and that's about it!

Fortunately it was easy to remove as it's a bit of an eyesore and I want it gone! I was planning on removing everything from the panel and sticking a piece of black perspex over the top to cover the holes up. Before I do that, does anyone want to take it off my hands, perhaps swapping it for a blank panel if Thurlby ever provided any with blank panels fitted?

I know a few members on here have mentioned these units before, so I reckon somebody must know something about it...

Cheers,

Dave

[MrBungle]

Oh I saw that on ebay and wondered what it was. Thanks for posting the insides. Curiosity satisfied!

No idea what it is for however. Assume it's for burn in timing or something.

There's usually a module that fits in the gap that allows master/slave configuration. See: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...3&d=1455366045

[canonman75]

I've seen that module before and it is described in the service manual as well. However, the chances of me getting hold of one are probably quite slim!

Then again, the chances of getting a plain panel are probably even slimmer! I don't think they ever supplied them with plain panels, did they?

I'm missing a knob cap as well. I've been through my stash and haven't found one yet that would fit

[MrBungle]

I have never seen one on ebay unfortunately. There hasn't been a plain panel one as far as I know. The gap just doesn't exist on the isolated dual supplies. I'd probably clone the bracket with some sheet aluminium myself or remove all the fittings off that panel, fill, clean, paint and shove it back in. Might even get away with some thick vinyl covering!

The knob caps used to be sold by RS a few years ago. Not sure what the part number was though.

[chriswood1900]

Rapid still stock the standard TTI knobs made by Cliff see here-
https://www.rapidonline.com/Catalogue/Product/32-1918
Chris

[canonman75]

Originally Posted by chriswood1900

Rapid still stock the standard TTI knobs made by Cliff

Thanks for the info. I can add them to the next Rapid order

[Refugee]

It looks like an amps shunt with a logger output for an external recorder.

[canonman75]

My comment about covering the panel in rexine seems to have been removed by the moderators. I'm not sure why, I was actually being deadly serious about using that method!

I've tried white perspex and found it too translucent - you can still see the holes through it. I think if I glue pieces of stiff card to both sides of the panel and then cover it with an offcut of black rexine it may well look okay. I'll post up some photos when I've done it and you can judge for yourselves.

[AC/HL]

There hasn't been any mention of Rexine in this thread. Mr Bungle did suggest vinyl in post 4.

[PETERg0rsq]

Again I was watching that PSU.

As well as the wrong panel in the middle, all four link bars are missing from the output terminals. They will need replacing.

They are still available directly from thurlby (nice company to deal with )

It will make a decent isolated dual PSU with a bit of work.

[MrBungle]

I've asked AIM-TTi about 3 times for some of them and they never get back to me

[McMurdo]

if you fancy reconstructing the series/parallel panel, the circuit is in the service manual

[canonman75]

Originally Posted by AC/HL

There hasn't been any mention of Rexine in this thread. Mr Bungle did suggest vinyl in post 4.

I mentioned rexine. The mods appeared to have removed the comment.

[canonman75]

Originally Posted by PETERg0rsq

Again I was watching that PSU.

As well as the wrong panel in the middle, all four link bars are missing from the output terminals. They will need replacing.

They are still available directly from thurlby (nice company to deal with )

It will make a decent isolated dual PSU with a bit of work.

It's all done, apart from the knob cap and the centre panel.

I've used solid single-core wire in lieu of shorting bars.

[canonman75]

As promised, here are the photos of the filler panel covered with black rexine. I think it looks alright

The lid isn't on yet because I've still got to replace the mains lead which had been chopped very short....

[PETERg0rsq]

Originally Posted by MrBungle

I've asked AIM-TTi about 3 times for some of them and they never get back to me

Odd

I sent polite e-mail asking if they still sold them, gave part numbers.

They came back to me next day with prices, and I ordered.

Received a few days later, followed by me sending a thank you e-mail.

Dear Sir

We do still have these, 35331-0080 are 15p each, we do have a minimum order of £5.00 though.

Best Regards

Miles

Hello Peter

We don’t use those knobs anymore, the newer ones are 37151-0480 and they are 30p each.

Let me know how many of each you want and I will the e-mail to order processing and they can call for your credit card number when ready.


Best Regards

Miles

Miles Smith
Internal Sales Engineer
Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd
Glebe Road
Huntingdon
Cambs PE29 7DR
Tel: 01480 412451
Fax: 01480 450409
e mail: miles.smith@tti-test.com

[Herald1360]

The links- loose wires will be a pain. Some rigid links made with 6mm solder tags and 16 or 18 gauge BTC look better and stay put! If you expect regularly to use the remote sensing function, turn the tags into forks.

[MrBungle]

Looks rather good. I always wanted them to do a black one with red legend Sinclair style.

[MrBungle]

Originally Posted by PETERg0rsq

Odd

I sent polite e-mail asking if they still sold them, gave part numbers.

They came back to me next day with prices, and I ordered.

Ok will have another go. That's quite good. They were forthcoming with the service manual however

Better than Pomona who were charging £5 per bar!

I've got 4 separate PL/TS supplies now and they all have missing bars!

[PETERg0rsq]

Just in case it wasn't clear, the top quote "35331-0080 are 15p each" was for the links

The second quote "37151-0480 and they are 30p each." was for replacement knobs (later cream colour) as I needed some, and they made the order up to £5.