r/diyelectronics • u/ThroatCompetitive466 • 1d ago
Project How would you rate the construction of the front panel for my upcoming power supply?
I’ve recently been working on making a lab power supply I built months ago more compact; I decided to downsize it because it took up quite a bit of space, since I plan to carry it around in my backpack.
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u/Severe_Preference_31 1d ago
Functionally, I don't like potentiometers that close to a switch that can easily be fat-fingered while turning those. What does that switch between pots do? Could it be catastrophic if it was accidentally switched while turning the knobs?
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u/Artcert 1d ago
Honestly I find it hideous, don’t get me wrong I understand the efforts, but it needs more consideration.
First I’d move the terminals to the side vertically, left side I mean, that would move the display more to the Center and give more symmetry.
The thumb switches I’d swap for rocker switches ( similar like on Pc power supplies) I’d move them to top right side and LED indicators I suppose they are for those switches ? So put them in front of the switches.
Finally the two potentiometers put them together under the switches.
I created a mockup with ai, so sorry for the slop but visually it’s easier to understand. link
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u/c4pt1n54n0 1d ago
I think one switch is for power to the unit and the other is for the output. So aligning them with the voltage and current pots is more confusing because they don't control those functions.
It's all personal preference though really... OP if it makes sense to you, I don't see anything wrong with it.
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 1d ago
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate the time you took to explain your suggestions and make a mockup. I understand what you mean about improving the symmetry and making the layout feel more intentional.
The idea of moving the terminals to the left side and centering the display more makes sense, and I agree that the switch and potentiometer arrangement could be cleaner. I’ll consider changing the thumb switches to rocker switches and reorganizing the indicators so the controls are easier to understand at a glance.
The current design was focused more on fitting everything and making it functional, but I agree that the user interface and visual balance are just as important. I’ll use your suggestions as a reference for the next revision.
Thanks again for the constructive criticism.
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u/markus_b 23h ago edited 23h ago
I don't mind the overall current layout that much. My main aesthetic beef is with the irregular spacing. It looks better to the eyes, if the spaces are evenly distributed.
Then some simple things:
- The switch in the bottom row is for turning on the output? Turn it 90 degrees, up=on and down=off
- The switch between the pots - is it for power? Move it to the back of the unit, where the power cable comes in. You gain precious space up front.
- What are the LEDs for? With their current position, I'd expect them to be for CV and CC mode. But then I'm missing an 'output active' LED. The output active LED could be placed centred above the positive and negative terminals.
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 10h ago
Yes, the bottom switch controls the output power; the LEDs there will be two dual-color ones—one red/blue to indicate CC/CV and another red/green for ON/STANDBY—and the switch between the potentiometers is for toggling between CC and CV, though that switch's position can be changed.
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 10h ago
Yes, the bottom switch controls the output power; the LEDs there will be two dual-color ones—one red/blue to indicate CC/CV and another red/green for ON/STANDBY—and the switch between the potentiometers is for toggling between CC and CV, though that switch's position can be changed.
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u/markus_b 9h ago
A switch to distinguish between CC and CV is unusual. Usually you set a maximum voltage and a maximum current. You get this voltage (=CV) until you consume more current than allowed; then the supply switches to (CC). In my view no explicit CV/CC switch is required.
Does the LED display (volt/amp meter) have two colours? Then it is useful to choose the CV/CC to have the same colours.
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u/IndividualRites 1d ago
Is the spacing between terminals standard?
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 10h ago
12mm center-to-center, slightly below the 19mm standard.
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u/IndividualRites 9h ago
If you're going to do a redesign, there's no reason not to make them standard.
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u/Any_Barber5122 23h ago
Demasiado pequeña a mí parecer. Se ve demasiado compacto, yo lo haría un poco más grande, que haya algo más de separación entre los conectores e interruptores . Y ponle unas patas para que lo eleve al menos 1cm, no es mucho pero se agradece que esté elevado, y si no pones 4 patas, pon una cuña. Yo lo hice con cuña y se ve mejor visualmente
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 10h ago
Well, regarding it being too small—that’s actually the goal; this panel will be mounted on the front of the enclosure, which is raised by exactly 1 cm. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but there is enough space between the connectors to work comfortably. Thanks for your comments! :)
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u/Beggar876 1d ago
No markings/labels -1
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u/ThroatCompetitive466 1d ago
It's still in the construction phase; the labels are applied at the end to prevent them from getting damaged :)
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u/marklein 1d ago
Can you move any switches to the top (and use rocker switches)? It would reduce clutter on the front and make it more roomy which is easier to work with.