Lambda power source for etching, anyone know about these?

lastbrunneng

lastbrunneng

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Mar 5, 2014
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I got this power source at a local surplus store, I did a very mild etch on a copper sheet but I couldn't get the voltage above 2 (according to the face dial, I didn't have a multimeter). Then I noticed the column of pins on the back. I haven't found a manual online for less than $25.
Does anyone know more about these types of power supplies? I think I may need to move the power leads up to the 9/10 pins but I don't want to brick this thing.





 
It will only put out 10 volts. You probably can etch your name or such, but it won't do much for colouring titanium. Frank
 
That's ok Frank, I want it for etching. The issue I'm having is that it only puts out 2 volts, still usable but very slow. I'm wondering if I need to change the wiring in the back.

 
What was the current when you were at 0.2 Volts?

Can you get a Voltage indication with the output open-circuit? If so, what will it go to?
 
If your talking about moving the incoming power leads to 9/10, DON'T DO IT. 9 and 10 are jumped together, thats a dead short.
 
I vaguely recall using one and finding that the current limiting kicked in for reasons I didn't understand. Different manufacturer and some years ago.

Unless I grew breasts, reading the manual was never going to be a credible option, but I think the empirically-determined way round it was to either power it up before connecting the output, or power it up with the output connected, whichever I'd not done the first time.

Don't know if it helps, but it's cheap to try.
 
That is what we used to call, a bench power supply. It is for working on circuits. You can set the max voltage as well as an internal crowbar circuit to limit current. This is useful when testing a board or other circuit and not wanting smoke if there is a problem. The back is for the power input and some other things. Leave it as is.

This won't really work as an etcher or for any use needing high current.
 
Thanks guys. After staring at the pins all evening I decided against moving the power leads too. I took a multimeter to it and found that 10v were available when there was no load but as soon as I put a load on it the voltage dropped to 1.3, it put out 2 amps though. Similar to what Tim mentioned.
Stacy I think you're right and this won't work, I'll probably end up selling it on fleaBay.
 
How much did you pay ?

If you bought it surplus, I bet you can't return it ?


If you really want an etcher, use that power supply as a start it's a nice box and connectors.

Search for the plans and put them in that box

You need AC to darken the etch and that won't do it without some mods anyway
 
It was $75 with no option for return.
I'll test it out on steel, I have some friends who are into electro-forming so it may find life with them.
 
That type unit is what I used for my electro-plating setup at the store for years. I only needed about 4VDC and 2 amp is the max current for rhodium plating.



Hope you can sell it. I bought a couple Lambda units a few years ago from my favorite ebay industrial surplus setter, HGR, and paid about $15 each. Here is a 40VDC unit for $25 -http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAMBDA-MODEL-LP-412A-FM-DC-POWER-SUPPLY-0-40V-1-0A-/331134594471?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d1928eda7
 
Thank you Stacy, would you consider that model suitable for etching?
I'm not too worried about this unit, either I'll sell it (hopefully for what I paid) or I'll keep it and try forming or plating.
 
For etching, you need AC and DC power

DC gives you depth

AC blackens it.

You also need more amperage that the 40VDC Lambda unit provides.
(The lambda units are mainly for circuit board use.)
 
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Thank you both.
Say (for the sake of discussion) I etched with DC only and used gun blueing or other chemical surface treatment to give it contrast.
Would that create issues for a blade?
 
If your question is , "Will it work", then yes. you can do that. It won't etch as clean and deep as a more powerful etcher, and the mark will not be as dark. There are guys who etch with an old phone charger transformer, but it won't etch like a Personalizer Plus.
 
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