ARRAY electronic loads

[saturation]

Its certainly taken a beating, chances are its far worse internally.  Many eBay used eloads are harder to spot, it looks good on the outside but its taken a beating on the inside.  If the driver MOSFETs or transistors were run in a hot ambient lab the lifespan of those power devices will be much worse than one kept cooler; likewise those used Prodigit units are from Israel? so its naturally a hot climate too; even as parts one thing to worry about is unobtanium, so even if cheap rebuilding a $3k eload on eBay may not be possible. 

That's one advantage of the Array tear down,  except for the firmware, all the parts are generic, particularly the ones that will likely wear: power MOSFETs, sense resistors.

I just saw this;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150792412128

and thought immediately "well, someone must have held a grudge against those loads"

[reagle]

Just picked up a used Tekpower branded 3710A. So far so good, though menus and beeps are a bit annoying. So is the lack of pulsed load mode, but I knew that going in. Will be taking it apart soon to check out the build quality on this one.
Does anybody have a part number for the RS232-USB adapter ?

[T4P]

Pretty sure it's the same as the Array ones.

[saturation]

Part numbers vary by who relabels the model, but the CSI ones are here:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/dc-electronic-load-csi3710a.html

Just picked up a used Tekpower branded 3710A. So far so good, though menus and beeps are a bit annoying. So is the lack of pulsed load mode, but I knew that going in. Will be taking it apart soon to check out the build quality on this one.
Does anybody have a part number for the RS232-USB adapter ?

[reagle]

Looks like P/N 3312 for the USB version is universal across the brands.
On a related topic, in  Saturation's teardown  pictures rack handles are shown as part of the accessories, separate form the unit. How are they mounted to the case? I am trying to get them removed, and it does not appear possible without taking the unit apart

[saturation]

You're right on the PN#, I stand corrected.  The fit on the handle covers are most impressive for a made in China, its very tight and seemless.  You'll likely mar it opening it, but it can't be helped.

On the arrow, use the finest and strongest knife or screwdriver to insert it between the grey cover and the white body, then twist, it should snap off the unit.  Underneath it are the mounting screws.  I forget where the snap is, try A first, to see where the most give is, it will move off frontward.  From B, it will snap off to the left, based on the picture.

Looks like P/N 3312 for the USB version is universal across the brands.
On a related topic, in  Saturation's teardown  pictures rack handles are shown as part of the accessories, separate form the unit. How are they mounted to the case? I am trying to get them removed, and it does not appear possible without taking the unit apart

[reagle]

Thanks, worked like a charm- I used a wide metal putty knife. The covers are latched along the front edge, so I went from the back twisting and lifting.

[saturation]

Nice! and no injury!  Putty knife is it.  Thanks for the close ups and description,  the manual says nothing about how to assemble or disassemble those handles.

[reagle]

Yes, and I was very leery to start pulling on them not knowing which part actually comes out It's much better now without the handles, as it fits on my workbench and does not get in the way. Next step is getting serial interface adapter and either stock software or playing with the one mentioned here and tweaking it to my needs

[reagle]

Just picked up the Array USB to TTL interface, and promptly tore it down.
Looks pretty standard- a USB- serial bridge + opto isolation. Overall quality is not bad, except for no-clean solder flux residue on the back.
Edit: Umm, except the USB connector is  type A. I didn't realize that until I tried to plug it in 
DB9 side pinout (for those playing along) is:
1: 3.3V
2:  TX
3:  RX
5. GND
I don't think any other pins are used

[reagle]

Finally got all my cables in order and started playing with the software. Has anybody been able to get Discharge software to actually turn off load when end voltage is reached? I tried it quickly with a power supply and it just kept going. On the second thought, i don't see any "OK" or the like button to confirm that I entered the number. Ideas? "Smoking gun" picture is attached

[saturation]

I've used it quite a bit since I got it, however the software is just short of garbage.

Use the "discharge" software only to collect data that it then ports to excel.  Other that turning the test ON, do not control the Array with its  'discharge' or the main software; I found them both unreliable, the discharge one is the least worst of the two.  You may have to press the buttons several times to get a response and this is not related to the baud rate either.  Check the status lights of the USB-TTL interface to insure data is going each way.

You'll have to experiment with the data capture rate to find the best for you if you want lots of data points, I think 100ms/point is the limit for practical collection.  Its fairly reliable at 1sec.

When running and collecting data confirm  status not with the PC software but on the Array unit LCD.

Set your shutdown voltage, or any programmed parameters you wish, through the Array unit itself. If you use the PC software, press self control to reactivate the Array keyboard.  I can do pretty much everything through it, the firmware of the eload is reliable.

[reagle]

That's pretty much what I've been doing. Might have to get off my rear end and write something less sucky for general use

[saturation]

If you write new stuff, I'd be happy to test it for you, me alas, no time.  One user wrote an extensive suite for it to suggest the hardware is stable to write a good application.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7178

and used that design, an array of 10 array loads working together, in his reviews:

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/psu/161

That's pretty much what I've been doing. Might have to get off my rear end and write something less sucky for general use

[reagle]

Just ran a discharge test on a replacement cordless phone battery All went well and it stopped exactly at the voltage set as a minimum input. Their stupid logger crashes though when trying to actually save data. Yep, writing own may just be the answer.  I'll post about it on the EEVblog once I get around to that

[TPI]

[Apologies for resurrection of this topic]

But I have one quite simple question that I haven’t been able to pin-point an answer for. Or are just plain blind.

Are Atten ATZ3710A and the ARRAY 3710A as well as the other variants all identical except for the casing and labels (plus included extras which may come with the device)
Are they made in the same factory just finished off with a different case ? so it wouldn't matter if you had an ATTEN over an ARRAY ?

[saturation]

No apologies needed, I think resurrection old topics in electronics is a valid action because why have multiple threads on the same device, concept or idea scattered throughout the forums?

I have not seen the Atten personally, but the probability is high they are rebadged Arrays.  The Array design isn't as feature rich as the Maynuo or BK design, so there is less incentive to clone the old Array as the Maynuo, e.g. Beich.  If you are buying locally, that would be ideal because you can easily open it and compare the PCB and if suspicious, return it.  If you are buying international it would be more difficult to return any brand back to the dealer, so getting the Array branded one would be the least risky.

BTW, since I posted my review the Array is working perfect, except for the annoying software; once you learn to work around the bugs, the software does the job.

[Apologies for resurrection of this topic]

But I have one quite simple question that I haven’t been able to pin-point an answer for. Or are just plain blind.

Are Atten ATZ3710A and the ARRAY 3710A as well as the other variants all identical except for the casing and labels (plus included extras which may come with the device)
Are they made in the same factory just finished off with a different case ? so it wouldn't matter if you had an ATTEN over an ARRAY ?

[all_repair]

Finally decided to stick with Array for my additional piece of loader.  I had my first piece of 300w Array eloader for more than 3 years now, and it have been working reliability so far.  Usage is about 1 day per week.

Fan can be quieter, and voltage readings can be more accurate.  But at the end of the day, guess they are not so essential features as a loader for me. 

Wondering the remote senses are for the PS under test right?  So just a parallel pair of connection from he load sockets, right?

Ps: main reason to go with array is so I dont end up having to many types of equipment unnecesarily, and Array still the most value for money from my l
Search.

[PedroDaGr8]

[Apologies for resurrection of this topic]

 Actually,  thank you  for bumping this. I  had looked for t before but I couldn't find it. Here is a link to a thread  where I posted my great experience with Array customer  service.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/great-customer-service-from-array/

They really impressed me with their attention to service for something so minor.

[saposoft]

If anyone is interested in programming and/or use the 3710A E-Load with a computer you can find a simple program that can set current, start and stop the load and read values from the E-load in my website , source code included, only for hobby/personal use.
It's still partially in Italian sorry , but pretty simple to understand.
https://sites.google.com/site/elettronicaarduinoesperimenti/
have fun and do some soldering
Alessandro

[metalphreak]

Atten mostly stick their name on existing products. They also sell a line of DC loads that are identical to the Maynuo DC loads, right down to the Maynuo badge on the front next to where they slapped the Atten logo! 

[ted572]

   Installation of, and using of ARRAY 3710A/11A Software under Windows 7 x32 or x64 OS:

Also applies to ATTEN, etc. versions of the 3710A/11A Electronic Load software, and documentation listed below in Note 2. 

1. Right click on 'Setup.exe', select 'Properties', '[Compatibility]',   Check  (x)  'Run This program in compatibility mode for:', select 'Windows XP (Service Pack 2)'*, [Apply], '[OK]'.   Note: * DO NOT select 'XP (Service Pack 3)'.

2. Right click on 'Setup.exe' and select 'Run as administrator', and continue with the installation.

Note 1:  If this software had previously been installed in Windows 7 without following the above procedure, un-install it fully by also cleaning the Registry either by using an Un-Install App. (preferred), or using Windows un-install function followed by using the file/registry cleaner of CCleaner.exe (freeware, available at: www.piriform.com), and then re-install as detailed above.

Note 2:  The most current 3710A/11A Documentation and Software is available at: http://www.array.sh/yqxzcnE.htm   Under: 371X Series DC electronic loads.   Use of the following is suitable for use with all of the different 3710A/11A OEM versions as the original design/build was by ARRAY.

 3710/11A User's Manual, version 3.0, dated Dec. 2013
 3710A Eload Software, version 3.3, dated Aug. 2011
 3711A Eload Software, version 3.3, dated Aug. 2011
 3710/11A DISCHARGE Software (for Battery Analysis), Version 2.0, dated May 2005
 3710A/11A Calibration procedure, version 2.0, dated Dec. 2013
 3710A/11A Communication Protocol for PC, version 2.0, dated Dec. 2013
 3312 USB Adapter Drivers.  Go to bottom of page under: Others, 3312 DRIVER.

* The ARRAY software is considered by some to be buggy, although once you become familiar with it's intended purposes and limitations it's quite acceptable.

Note 3:  The ARRAY 3312 USB Adapter with cables is available for a little less than $34 with 2 day USPS shipping at: http://www.mortoncontrols.com/index.php/labequip/accessories/3312.html

[ted572]

Re.  The ARRAY, ATTEND, etc 3710/11A Electronic Loads:
To expand our software options with more capability and/or ease of use, does anyone know of any third party Windows software for the ARRAY, ATTEN, etc. 3710A to use in place of the ARRAY 'E Load' and/or 'Battery Discharge' software?  Perhaps even something you developed, etc.

[reagle]

I am working on a piece of software to talk to it now. Most likely will be in Python, so it should be cross-platform. One annoying thing I noticed is the lack of minimum voltage command in the protocol. I can set Vmin on the front panel, but there does not appear to be a command listed for doing the same serially. Sniffing traffic when running their own software does not show any commands being sent. I wonder if they look at Vmin setting on the PC end vs reported voltage  and just  turn the load off..

[ted572]

I am working on a piece of software to talk to it now. Most likely will be in Python, so it should be cross-platform. One annoying thing I noticed is the lack of minimum voltage command in the protocol. I can set Vmin on the front panel, but there does not appear to be a command listed for doing the same serially. Sniffing traffic when running their own software does not show any commands being sent. I wonder if they look at Vmin setting on the PC end vs reported voltage  and just  turn the load off..

I'm looking forward to hearing how your application works out for you.  Good luck.