Power Supply Poll

**JohnByrne** · 02-02-2023, 07:24 PM

Can't find any recent threads about Power Supply choices so before I drop the bucks on Mean Wells....

What do you like / use (brand, model, size ect) and what would you avoid? Hoping to get input from folks who have been running them for years.

Thanks
John

**rstehle** · 02-02-2023, 08:11 PM

I use the el cheapo's from eBay and Amazon, been using the same ones for 5 years with no failures.........

**ukewarrior** · 02-02-2023, 08:14 PM

I run PC Server Power supplies. Very robust. Small and efficient and you can often find deals on them.

**MartinMueller2003** · 02-02-2023, 08:54 PM

After 5 seasons the el cheapos started to die. Biggest issue seems to be the bearings in the fan. They start making a lot of noise and then die. PSU starts shutting down randomly after that. Started replacing them with Meanwells. Have not had any failures on the meanwell supplies and some of them have been in the show for seven years now.

**algerdes** · 02-02-2023, 09:50 PM

For the "smaller" PSUs (350 watt and smaller), we use Meanwells. This is due to the high rate of failure we had with generics in years past. For the "larger" PSUs (750 and above) we have HP Server Supplies. Most are the 750 watt size.

**1pet2_9** · 02-03-2023, 01:22 AM

A combination of generics and people's wall bricks that they aren't using anymore.

**rayhjr** · 02-03-2023, 01:22 PM

I started with generic 350w supplies. 2 of them within 2 years had trouble. The large Capacitors swoll up and let the magic smoke, or steam, out. I simply replaced the caps and I still have them today.
I use 1 for my bench supply and the other 1 is in my shed to supply power for a car radio and some led strip lights over my work area.
I run my show now for several years on HP Server supplies. I have 2- 750w and a 1000w for my mega tree. I really like these things. Several vendors offer breakout boards for them with all kinds of options.
Like everything else in this hobby, you will evolve, you will find out for yourself what you like and dislike and so on. Many people use what lands up in their hands in job related matters, or another person close to them offer up Free stuff. It is DIY, and how you choose to do it is your choice, and will be what works best for you.