US: Inexpensive? Grundig/Digimess Programmable PSUs on eBay

[ivaylo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grunding-PN-300-Programmable-Power-Supply-/360825503129

Not associated with the seller in any way. Haven't used one of these before. Not even sure what to make of the brand (Grundig aren't exactly big in instruments, and the same thing is currently sold under the Digimess brand - http://www.digimessinstruments.co.uk/powersupplies/) or who the OEM is (doubt it's made in Germany). Just thought that if they are as clean as on that picture it may be a good score for someone looking for an inexpensive programmable PSU. Or may be they are this cheap because the seller can't spell... 

[casinada]

It looks nice. I was familiar with Stereos and TVs but never test equipment. Quality wise it was always good stuff and the schematics were included inside.

[sync]

The original Grundig was terminated in 2003. It's just a trademark today.

[Fraser]

I own one of these programmable power supplies. Mine works very well indeed and I have no complaints about its performance. Mine was brand new but was sold by Digimess as spares or repair as it had a minor fault caused by rough shipping. An easy repair. It cost me GBP30 which was a bit of a bargain. It's been running fine for three years now.

The transformer is a large torroidal of good quality. I will see if I have some pictures on my computer from when I repaired it. The fault was caused by the torroidal transformer moving on its single bolt mount.

[Macbeth]

Grundig? LOL! They actually made very good TVs back in the 80s/90s, and I had a few of them. They couldn't keep up with the east though and went under AFAIK. Looks like they have been resurrected.

[Fraser]

Grundig had a spin-off company making good quality test equipment. It was expensive kit though. Van Draper Electronics aka Digimess is the same product line under a new name. I assume Grundig sold off the test equipment branch when they suffered financial difficulties some time back.

Pictures of my PSU internals attached.

I also own the Digimess FG100 20MHz function generator that uses a MAX038 as its core ....VERY NICE    The function generator was also brand new with shipping damage. The mains transformer is a PCB mount type and a bump in transit had broken the primary winding at the point where it was soldered to the PCB pin. A bargain at GBP25 

Digimess sell new and ex demo units on eb*y. I noted that they sold returned units as spares or repair at bargain prices. They seem to have realised that they were selling the faulty equipment too cheaply though, and prices have risen. When I bought my two units I was told that the company considered the cost of investigation, repair and resale as Grade B returned stock uneconomic, hence the bargains for me to buy direct from Digimess.

PN300 manual and brochure attached. I have the price list for 2005.....the PN300 cost GBP629 (US$943) +VAT +delivery.

Note that the distortion in the pictures is just the wide angle lens on my camera.

EDIT: DIGIMESS will supply a service manual for any of their equipment but you have to pay for it.

[Fraser]

2005 Digimess Price List and options attached

[ivaylo]

Any indication where those are manufactured, Aurora? Both the PSU and the function gen?

[Fraser]

Sorry, no idea on origin.

[Bored@Work]

These days they are produced wherever the OEM is sitting. This is digimess today http://www.digimessinstruments.co.uk/powersupplies/ They just managed to get the digimess trademark.

[Fraser]

I see an Ex Demo PN300 is offered for sale at GBP349 (US$523) at the moment.

They appear to sell equipment from various OEM's as B@W has stated. Their MO10 oscilloscopes is an example. I bought 10  (yes 10) of these from Digimess for GBP25 (the lot) including postage ! The postage must have been near to that alone.The consignment had been dropped and all bit 2 had shattered tubes. I bought 10 new tubes from the China OEM at US$15 each. They are very simple analogue oscilloscopes but are still good for use in dedicated projects needing an X-Y display though. The MO10 is sold under many brand names. Digimess are selling DEMO units for GBP79 which I don't think they are worth...a used Hameg or similar would wipe the floor with it !

Looking at their service facilities, I can see why they tend to sell off damaged equipment rather than repair it. It appears to be a small concern that just sells the equipment as an agent. Pretty basic workshop facilities...more like what I would expect to see in a hobbyists lab.

http://www.digimessinstruments.co.uk/support/

I also find their service manuals to be expensive, at around GBP40 each but that is their right after all.

Anyone else think 'DIGIMESS' is an unfortunate name ...."Digital Mess"     

For information, Farnell sell the cases that the PN300 Power supply and FG100 function generator use. They are quite expensive but good quality and look nice. I bought some more tilt feet assemblies for the cases as they were missing. Those were reasonably priced.