DC Electronic Loads

[Tony3dd]

Just wondering how useful Electronic loads are, and why are they so expensive?

[steve30]

I guess like any other test equipment, they are professionally designed and manufactured which probably adds cost over a DIY solution.

I've never used a commercial one though, so I don't know what they are like to use. I do have my simple DIY one, which I built for less than £15 and that is really useful, despite being quite crude.

Its definitely worth having a go at building a simple one, especially if you do anything power supply related.

[TechJunkie]

Tony3dd,
 
  If you can afford it, I settled in on the BK-Precision 8500 300W/30A Electonic Load. So far, I love this unit. I will post a short review of it's capabilities once I master all the functions and software interface. The battery module (mode) is really detailed as to what you can test and the info you can grab from running a sequence test on a battery. Really good build quality, very accurate!

[mrbearuk]

To Steve or anyone who can share a schematic, I'm after a good d.i.y electronic load if anyone can share their designs.

[mariush]

Have a look at this one:

http://www.sleepyrobot.com/?p=136

I've made one myself, only modified it to use another mosfet. Does 3 amps at higher voltages just fine, up to 1-1.5a at lower voltages (let's say under 5v)

May look ugly but it works for me.

[steve30]

To Steve or anyone who can share a schematic, I'm after a good d.i.y electronic load if anyone can share their designs.

Mine can be seen here: http://stevecoates.net/cc_load/

That one uses a regular MOSFET and quite a high voltage (about 24V). My current version, which I haven't uploaded yet, replaces the IRF540 with a logic level MOSFET (F12N10L), and the power supply is a 9V PP3 battery.

Its pretty much the same as any basic simple circuit.