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G6Tanuki · 15th Sep 2019, 5:14 pm

All the circuits shown are "linear regulator" types; these can work well when the load-delivery is within narrow margins [ let's say 2 or 3:1]

If the load-demand varies between 5:1 10:1 or 20:1 the requirements are a bit different - and in such circumstances a 'closed-loop- SMPS makes a lot more sense.

If you want to supply 10A at 6V and also 20V at 10A 'linear' regulator is going to be dissipating horrible amounts of waste-power.

This sort of thing is really, really the kind of instance where a switching PSU is going to be the way ahead. Spending £50 on a proper SMPS can easily be recovered in terms of the electricity-bill over the next couple of years!

15th Sep 2019, 5:14 pm	#22
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Adjustable voltage 15 amp power supply All the circuits shown are "linear regulator" types; these can work well when the load-delivery is within narrow margins [ let's say 2 or 3:1] If the load-demand varies between 5:1 10:1 or 20:1 the requirements are a bit different - and in such circumstances a 'closed-loop- SMPS makes a lot more sense. If you want to supply 10A at 6V and also 20V at 10A 'linear' regulator is going to be dissipating horrible amounts of waste-power. This sort of thing is really, really the kind of instance where a switching PSU is going to be the way ahead. Spending £50 on a proper SMPS can easily be recovered in terms of the electricity-bill over the next couple of years!