Serious Power supply testers

[Xiccarph]

Anyone know of a truely universal PC power supply tester/evaluator?
Ideally, I'd like one that u could plug in some/any/all of the various
types of pwr plugs and simulate loads, and obtain V/A outputs and/or
satisfactory/unsatisfactory indications, etc. The tester would accept
standard AT/ATX as well as have sockets for the P-4/Athlon compatible
types of plugs found on their respective "compatible" PSU's. I've seen
mainly single socket testers, such as a 20-pin plugin that shows a green
light if Ok, but I'm looking for something that could evaluate up to an
entire supply as if it was fully connected to an up and running PC and
its components, yet still be able to check singley any of the power
plugs that may be found in a PSU. Yes, I would expect such a beast to
be NOT cheap.

 

[Michael Hawes]

Anyone know of a truely universal PC power supply tester/evaluator?
Ideally, I'd like one that u could plug in some/any/all of the various
types of pwr plugs and simulate loads, and obtain V/A outputs and/or
satisfactory/unsatisfactory indications, etc. The tester would accept
standard AT/ATX as well as have sockets for the P-4/Athlon compatible
types of plugs found on their respective "compatible" PSU's. I've seen
mainly single socket testers, such as a 20-pin plugin that shows a green
light if Ok, but I'm looking for something that could evaluate up to an
entire supply as if it was fully connected to an up and running PC and
its components, yet still be able to check singley any of the power
plugs that may be found in a PSU. Yes, I would expect such a beast to
be NOT cheap.

GOOGLE!!!
Mike.

 

[larry moe 'n curly]

Anyone know of a truely universal PC power supply tester/evaluator?
Ideally, I'd like one that u could plug in some/any/all of the various
types of pwr plugs and simulate loads, and obtain V/A outputs and/or
satisfactory/unsatisfactory indications, etc. The tester would accept
standard AT/ATX as well as have sockets for the P-4/Athlon compatible

types of plugs found on their respective "compatible" PSU's. I've seen
mainly single socket testers, such as a 20-pin plugin that shows a green
light if Ok, but I'm looking for something that could evaluate up to an
entire supply as if it was fully connected to an up and running PC

12V car headlights are good for loading down the +12V, but you'd have
to calibrate them for the +5V and +3.3V.

Here's a description of Xbit Lab's fancy one, which uses MOSFETs as the
load resistances:

www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/psu-methodology.html

www.nordichardware.com used long lengths of wire strewn across ladders
and furniture. The resistances can be adjusted by sliding alligator
clamps along the wires.

You can build a tester cheap by making a board with all the sockets and
a bunch of jacks soldered to different size resistors that can be
selected through jumper cables.

My own 380W load resistance is a rat's nest of steel wire and big and
small resistors soldered together with a fan blowing across them.