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120V AC to DC converter AND regulator?
I need an AC to DC converter (ya know, something that I plug into the wall that converts to DC current) but I also want to be able to regulate it. Meaning, I want to control how many Amps comes out, with a wide range from like 1 or less to as many as possible (over 30 or 40?)
Anyway, do you know if they sell anything like this and where I could pick it up? I was thinking of using a battery charger (one for a car would probably give the most power) but it's kind of big and I want something that's meant solely for power regulation. Ideally, I would want something that can control both volts and amps separately, but that might not be possible.
If no one sells AC to DC converters AND regulators, then maybe just a DC regulator? If so, I was thinking of buying a cheap PC power supply and using a DC regulator since those can give kinda high amps.
Let me know if you know what I'm talking about and have any suggestions for me.
Thanks alot!
You want DC but it is not clear what else.
There are two kinds of regulator - voltage regulator or current regulator.
A voltage regulator provides a constant voltage like a battery. To do this it adjusts its own internal resistance so that the voltage is constant despite changes in load resistance (or current). The current is determined by the load resistance. The load draws a current determined by the voltage and its resistance. The supply provides whatever is required by the load, assuming the supply is big enough to supply that demand. From the maximum current available, and the maximum voltage setting, the power is determined. A voltage regulator may have a protective current limit also, so it will only supply a predetermined maximum current, then the voltage is automatically reduced to protect the supply from over-current, like a short circuit.
A current regulator provides a constant current. To do this it adjusts the voltage across the load. This means there is a voltage compliance range. If the load has too high a resistance the regulation will drop out because the maximum available voltage will not be enough to push the set current through the load. Therefore with no load it will have a maximum output voltage, and with a short circuit the voltage is very low and the current is the set current. The power is determined from the maximum voltage output with the maximum set current.
Constant current supplies may be used for electrolytic cells, though the compliance voltage is kept low to suit the cell.
Perhaps it is best to describe your purpose, to give a better idea of your needs. What the supply will be used for - e.g. run a motor or pump, run an electrolysis system, charge battery etc., along with maximum voltage, maximum current. Otherwise you will get pointed at a laboratory or industrial bench supply with a high current rating, and a high power rating, and adjustable voltage and current. This will not be cheap.
You can look up regulated DC power supplies with the voltage and current ratings. Almost always they are constant voltage, so that can be assumed unless you add constant current to the search terms. Some do have both voltage and current fully adjustable, generally laboratory bench supplies.
PC power supplies have a built in voltage regulator, providing several separate voltage outputs with different maximum current ratings on each voltage. They have at least +12V, -12V and +5V.
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