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Today I’ll talk about the simplest kind of power supply—more specifically, how to calculate its capacitor value and choose the right type. I’ll also suggest some better options for low-power supplies.

I came across some small protection boards for packs made from two lithium batteries, so I decided to put together a little review—or a big photo dump, whichever you prefer :)

With this short article, I’m starting a series about repairing various devices that occasionally end up on my workbench. The first article will be about repairing a 5 V, 60 A power supply. I’m also planning to publish articles for beginners, so I’d be interested to know what readers would like to learn about.

Last time, I explained how to properly convert a battery pack for a cordless power tool. I also mentioned that I’d cover the specifics of charging, and this time I’ll be reviewing a DC-DC converter board. If you’re interested, come on in.

Since I’ve reviewed quite a few batteries and also mentioned rebuilding cordless power tools, I often get private messages asking about various details of these conversions. People ask all sorts of questions, and they’re often much the same, so I decided to put together a short overview and answer some common questions about choosing components and rebuilding batteries.

Some time ago, one of my readers contacted me privately and asked me to do a small comparative test of several thermal interface materials. I was interested in doing a test like that too, especially since I'd already done something similar, so I decided to help out. But as it happened, the idea grew into a somewhat bigger test, albeit a rather unusual one.

I think some readers still remember my review of a kit for building a linear bench power supply. Despite a few shortcomings, the board turned out to be quite interesting. When a friend sent me a link to the kit reviewed here, my first thought was, “That’s the same board.” But in reality, things turned out a little differently. Anyway, if you’re interested in this kind of thing and want to find out how to build a small bench power supply, read on.

This review continues my experiments with step-down voltage converters. Along the way, I’ll also explain a little about what a synchronous rectifier converter is.

Last month I reviewed the MP2359DJ chip for building a DC-DC converter, and in the comments people suggested a few other similar chips. A little while later, I ordered a couple of different ones for my “assortment,” and recently I received and tested another one.

Around March, readers sent me a link to a rather interesting product. And since it’s right up my alley, I ordered one for a review—to try it out myself and show it to everyone else, as they say.

I came across a mention of this PWM controller on one of the forums. Since I occasionally build various electronic devices, I decided to order one and give it a try. And since I did order it—and even received it (which doesn't always happen these days)—it seemed like a good idea to test it before confirming receipt. Description, testing, and results are all below the fold.

I've already published a comparison of two multimeters that differed greatly in both price and capabilities. Today I'm reviewing another pair, with much more similar specifications, but still noticeably different from each other.

Before New Year, readers asked me to review a couple of converters. Well, it wasn't really any trouble, and I was curious myself, so I ordered them, received them, and tested them. I was actually more interested in a slightly different converter, but I still haven't gotten around to it, so I'll cover that one another time. Today, though, I'm reviewing a simple DC-DC converter rated for 10 A.

Today I’m reviewing another kit that lets you build a multichannel voltage converter. Some time ago, at readers’ request, I ordered several different voltage converters. I chose the one I’m reviewing today myself, just out of curiosity—I wanted to see what it was, and thought it might come in handy for someone. Photos, schematics, tests—everything as usual :)

Power supplies aren't always high-power units; some are very small, but no less useful for it. Today I have four representatives of this class of power supply on my “operating table,” but they'll go through the same tests as always.

Just recently, I came across a review of 3.3 V linear voltage regulators. I even joined the discussion, and at some point the topic of powering devices that run on 3.3 V from a lithium battery came up. Since this topic overlapped with one of my upcoming reviews, I decided to do a little experimenting myself.

The volt-ammeter, later known as the multimeter, is one of the essential tools for radio amateurs, radio engineers, and many others who work with electrical measurements. This time, I’ll talk a little about these instruments in general and two examples in particular. There’ll also be a short bonus mini-review at the end.

In today's review, I want to tell you about a rather useful device: a universal voltage converter. What it is, how it works, and what it can do—as always, read on.