Like many present here I spend (squander, fritter etc 😱) far too much time on internet sites like this one....eBay is another.
In a nearby suburb I spied one of these.
Kikusui PCR-500L Variable AC/DC power supply for $221.50, and I just had to have it. 😉
This thing is physically a beast..430 wide, 217 high, 550 deep and 30kg.
Electrically a beast also...it is programmable via GPIB to output 0-300V AC 1Hz-999Hz 0.3% THD, 0-420V DC, and a combination of both, ie it can output regenerated mains AC with DC offset !.
Via software interface arbitary waveforms can be defined, including clipped sine, sine with noise, square, rectangular, triangle, and waveform captures from a DSO.
Multistep sequences are definable also, each step being pretty much any waveform or voltage level desired.
I am interested to find out if the clean output improves my sound system ala hifi mains regenerators/filters.
The other usage of course is to simulate 'dirty' mains supply with glitches, phase steps, noise, distortion etc and measure effects on typical audio gear, and as an aid to optimising power supply arrangements.
All in all, this looks to be a very useful item in the 'shed'.
From what I can glean, the output stage is pretty much a standard (ruggedised/protected) audio amplifier, with definable input.
Anybody here have experience of this kind of gear, or thoughts toward a DIY version with soundcard input.
Dan.
In a nearby suburb I spied one of these.
Kikusui PCR-500L Variable AC/DC power supply for $221.50, and I just had to have it. 😉
This thing is physically a beast..430 wide, 217 high, 550 deep and 30kg.
Electrically a beast also...it is programmable via GPIB to output 0-300V AC 1Hz-999Hz 0.3% THD, 0-420V DC, and a combination of both, ie it can output regenerated mains AC with DC offset !.
Via software interface arbitary waveforms can be defined, including clipped sine, sine with noise, square, rectangular, triangle, and waveform captures from a DSO.
Multistep sequences are definable also, each step being pretty much any waveform or voltage level desired.
I am interested to find out if the clean output improves my sound system ala hifi mains regenerators/filters.
The other usage of course is to simulate 'dirty' mains supply with glitches, phase steps, noise, distortion etc and measure effects on typical audio gear, and as an aid to optimising power supply arrangements.
All in all, this looks to be a very useful item in the 'shed'.
From what I can glean, the output stage is pretty much a standard (ruggedised/protected) audio amplifier, with definable input.
Anybody here have experience of this kind of gear, or thoughts toward a DIY version with soundcard input.
Dan.
Last edited:
Mystery Box....
Hi Jan, I have had this item for a couple of days but have not opened it yet 😱 haha, very unusual for me.
Have been too busy with other stuff (women folk) but I promise I will take a look and report back in the next day or two.
It does incorporate remote sensing, and there is an option to incorporate defined output impedence.
Serious piece of gear, listing for USD$4k on second hand test equipment vendors.
Would have been seriously expensive new !.
Dan.
Hi Jan, I have had this item for a couple of days but have not opened it yet 😱 haha, very unusual for me.
Have been too busy with other stuff (women folk) but I promise I will take a look and report back in the next day or two.
It does incorporate remote sensing, and there is an option to incorporate defined output impedence.
Serious piece of gear, listing for USD$4k on second hand test equipment vendors.
Would have been seriously expensive new !.
Dan.
OK, finish the women folk first then, if you must 😉
It appears you made an exceptional good deal there (the variac, I mean)!
jan
It appears you made an exceptional good deal there (the variac, I mean)!
jan
Pics...
Ok Jan, here's the pics....serious box of bits, I hope it never blows up !.
It looks like the block diagram is two independent swps stages (B+ and B- ??) feeding the output stage.
No output transformer evident.
Dan.
Ok Jan, here's the pics....serious box of bits, I hope it never blows up !.
It looks like the block diagram is two independent swps stages (B+ and B- ??) feeding the output stage.
No output transformer evident.
Dan.
That makes sense, with a couple of SMPSs you can mix AC and DC outputs easily.
Man, there's enough stuff there to build a nuclear power plant 😉
jan
Supply Frequency Matters....
So, this afternoon I tried one of my systems hanging off the 'power plant', but did not compare to the usual wall plate power....yet.
I played some some old blues, '67 monterey pop festival and some modern rock blues, and did some switching around of power supply frequencies (50, 55 and 60 Hz)....an experiment I have wanted to do since forever, and the inspiration/drive/justification for forking out the folding cash for this behemoth !.
Initial finding is that there are subtle sonic differences according to ac supply frequency.
Preference so far trends toward 55Hz supply, regardless of recording ac supply frequency......lessening of 'some kind of' artifact.
Dan.
http://www.kikusui.co.jp/kiku_manuals/P/PCR_L_E7.PDF
Yeah, enough to build a 30kg nuclear power plant !.....or multiple tube amp power supplies...or solid cap crossovers ...or indestructible sub amp...😉
So, this afternoon I tried one of my systems hanging off the 'power plant', but did not compare to the usual wall plate power....yet.
I played some some old blues, '67 monterey pop festival and some modern rock blues, and did some switching around of power supply frequencies (50, 55 and 60 Hz)....an experiment I have wanted to do since forever, and the inspiration/drive/justification for forking out the folding cash for this behemoth !.
Initial finding is that there are subtle sonic differences according to ac supply frequency.
Preference so far trends toward 55Hz supply, regardless of recording ac supply frequency......lessening of 'some kind of' artifact.
Dan.
http://www.kikusui.co.jp/kiku_manuals/P/PCR_L_E7.PDF
Last edited:
Yes, except end up with single wave rectified dual polarity supplies...no center tap.
Dan.
Last edited:
Are you sure? Voltage is always with respect to some other point, which for bipolar voltage must be the mid rail - ground?
jan
jan
The outputs are marked A, N, and E. I haven't checked yet but I expect the N connects to the E........ That's how AC with DC offset must be.
I will find out tonight.
Dan.
I will find out tonight.
Dan.
Great box and you got a fantastic deal. Similar to an Elgar. I have used similar for testing UPS's. You can set up various types of power line impairments (drop outs etc.) and see what happens. The stuff needs to be very sturdy. Its also usually noisy as well.
The manual is quite thorough. I would not use it as a DC supply for an amp. Its power range and max current is not well suited to audio amps.
The manual is quite thorough. I would not use it as a DC supply for an amp. Its power range and max current is not well suited to audio amps.
Twin Turbo.....
I have not measured the quiescent power consumption yet....I might be in for a rude shock 😱.
Dan.
Yup, two fans running flat out means it has to be in another room.
I have not measured the quiescent power consumption yet....I might be in for a rude shock 😱.
Dan.
Sorry About That....
Hi Richard, no such luck, this item came from close down of a Perth high tech manufacturer, one only.
There was only one other serious bidder and he chickened out...my auto bid came to $AUS 221.50.
I picked this item up from a local suburb so petrol and the beer I brought with me were my 'courier' costs.
It weighs 30Kg, so freighting may be costly if you find one.
This model runs GPIB, and the replacement (now discontinued) runs RS-232 interface, GPIB optional.
AC Power Supplies (AC Power Source): Multi-functional AC Power Supplies (CV/CF) PCR-LA Series | KIKUSUI ELECTRONICS CORP. -Products-
Ebay allows you to set up any search term and will automatically email notify you of newly posted items that match.
I have imagined such a device in the past, but had never seen one....when I saw this I just had to have it 😉.
I have considered using a sig gen or sound card to drive a big pro power amp into a suitable transformer to provide variable frequency/arbitary 240V power, but this came up first 😎.
I admire your research efforts....an item like this would be very useful to you I am sure.
Regards, Dan.
Hi Richard, no such luck, this item came from close down of a Perth high tech manufacturer, one only.
There was only one other serious bidder and he chickened out...my auto bid came to $AUS 221.50.
I picked this item up from a local suburb so petrol and the beer I brought with me were my 'courier' costs.
It weighs 30Kg, so freighting may be costly if you find one.
This model runs GPIB, and the replacement (now discontinued) runs RS-232 interface, GPIB optional.
AC Power Supplies (AC Power Source): Multi-functional AC Power Supplies (CV/CF) PCR-LA Series | KIKUSUI ELECTRONICS CORP. -Products-
Ebay allows you to set up any search term and will automatically email notify you of newly posted items that match.
I have imagined such a device in the past, but had never seen one....when I saw this I just had to have it 😉.
I have considered using a sig gen or sound card to drive a big pro power amp into a suitable transformer to provide variable frequency/arbitary 240V power, but this came up first 😎.
I admire your research efforts....an item like this would be very useful to you I am sure.
Regards, Dan.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.