One of the old simulator systems I maintain is a non-qualified sim that
we got out of a junkyard and we put back together to use for procedural >training and such like. So, for context, the general goal is to spend
the least amount of money needed to keep it working as is.
I've been having some trouble with a few of the components lately, and
after a bunch of troubleshooting, I believe the problem is that the 5V
60A and 12V 40A DC power supplies that feed them are not stable enough
on the output. I.e., too much voltage variation under heavy load. The >components in question are specified to only accept up to 100 mVp-p
ripple, but I'm seeing up to 200 mVp-p variation on the 5V supply, and
up to 400 mVp-p on the 12V supply.
The power supplies in place are some very cheap models obviously of
Chinese extraction. And I think they are old as well, maybe around 20
years. So I'm wondering if I can fix my problem by purchasing new,
higher quality power supplies. But after looking around on the Internet
for a little while, I'm not sure what are the best brands, companies, or >models to look toward. Any thoughts?
One of the old simulator systems I maintain is a non-qualified sim that
we got out of a junkyard and we put back together to use for procedural training and such like. So, for context, the general goal is to spend
the least amount of money needed to keep it working as is.
I've been having some trouble with a few of the components lately, and
after a bunch of troubleshooting, I believe the problem is that the 5V
60A and 12V 40A DC power supplies that feed them are not stable enough
on the output. I.e., too much voltage variation under heavy load. The components in question are specified to only accept up to 100 mVp-p
ripple, but I'm seeing up to 200 mVp-p variation on the 5V supply, and
up to 400 mVp-p on the 12V supply.
The power supplies in place are some very cheap models obviously of
Chinese extraction. And I think they are old as well, maybe around 20
years. So I'm wondering if I can fix my problem by purchasing new,
higher quality power supplies. But after looking around on the Internet
for a little while, I'm not sure what are the best brands, companies, or models to look toward. Any thoughts?
On 27/03/2026 16:33, Christopher Howard wrote:
One of the old simulator systems I maintain is a non-qualified sim that
we got out of a junkyard and we put back together to use for procedural
training and such like. So, for context, the general goal is to spend
the least amount of money needed to keep it working as is.
I've been having some trouble with a few of the components lately, and
after a bunch of troubleshooting, I believe the problem is that the 5V
60A and 12V 40A DC power supplies that feed them are not stable enough
on the output. I.e., too much voltage variation under heavy load. The
components in question are specified to only accept up to 100 mVp-p
ripple, but I'm seeing up to 200 mVp-p variation on the 5V supply, and
up to 400 mVp-p on the 12V supply.
The power supplies in place are some very cheap models obviously of
Chinese extraction. And I think they are old as well, maybe around 20
years. So I'm wondering if I can fix my problem by purchasing new,
higher quality power supplies. But after looking around on the Internet
for a little while, I'm not sure what are the best brands, companies, or
models to look toward. Any thoughts?
Could it be as simple as replacig the bulk storage/smothing caps? -especially if it's that old.
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On 27/03/2026 16:33, Christopher Howard wrote:
One of the old simulator systems I maintain is a non-qualified sim that
we got out of a junkyard and we put back together to use for procedural
training and such like. So, for context, the general goal is to spend
the least amount of money needed to keep it working as is.
I've been having some trouble with a few of the components lately, and
after a bunch of troubleshooting, I believe the problem is that the 5V
60A and 12V 40A DC power supplies that feed them are not stable enough
on the output. I.e., too much voltage variation under heavy load. The
components in question are specified to only accept up to 100 mVp-p
ripple, but I'm seeing up to 200 mVp-p variation on the 5V supply, and
up to 400 mVp-p on the 12V supply.
The power supplies in place are some very cheap models obviously of
Chinese extraction. And I think they are old as well, maybe around 20
years. So I'm wondering if I can fix my problem by purchasing new,
higher quality power supplies. But after looking around on the Internet
for a little while, I'm not sure what are the best brands, companies, or
models to look toward. Any thoughts?
Could it be as simple as replacig the bulk storage/smothing caps? >-especially if it's that old.
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