[sdiy] +-15 Walwarts or...

[thescum at surfree.com]

> I've been wanting to build a modular for a
> while. Can't really afford the whole shebang at
> this point so I thought I'd build a couple of
> modules I can use for processing. Are there
> cheap +- 15 Walwarts out there or would I be
> better off with a 15 volt and something like
> the LT1026? What about regulation? Thanks!

For $15 or $20, you can probably find a suitable regulated power supply from a
surplus vendor, if you look around.  Power One and Lambda both make suitable
regulated linear supplies, with plenty of current for a mid-sized modular.

I got 3 Power One supplies from Alltronics about a year ago, for something
like $17 each.  They've been great...certainly a better supply than I could
have made myself for a similar price.

Paia and Blacet also offer some small linear supplies, IIRC.

The LT and Maxim chips can work in some situations, but they dont want to
source a lot of current, and the output can be somewhat noisy, due to the
magic involved.

Byron Jacquot