The kSupply module is designed to rapidly charge the kCap ultracapacitor module for high speed welding with kWeld. It provides as much as 70A of charge current. kSupply can also be used for many other applications that require a stabilized voltage at high amperage. For example, build a high current laboratory power supply from it by attaching external potentiometers for voltage and current.
The module can be connected to any 12V power supply (for example a 12V battery or a desktop computer’s ATX power supply) by attaching cables to its screw terminals. It is designed to also accept mounting directly on a specific 12V server power supply through the card edge slot adaptor. Two different models are supported:
- DPS-800GB (Fujitsu, very loud)
- HSTNS-PR01 (Hewlett-Packard, less fan noise)
Both are available in used condition for little money via platforms like ebay – sometimes for less than $30. Other models may also work if they provide a compatible pinout. For more details, please refer to the kSupply user manual.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This article does not include input cables, as their length and termination is highly application specific.
The key specifications are:
- output voltage adjustable from 0V to 12V
- output current adjustable from 0A to 70A
- maximum power throughput 840W
- can drive current into a short circuit like an ultracapacitor
- automatic transition between constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC) modes
- overtemperature protection through current reduction
- continuous output current
- DPS800GB, without heatsink kit: 70A
- HSTNS-PR01, without heatsink kit: 50A
- HSTNS-PR01, with heatsink kit: 70A
- free air, without heatsink kit: 40A
- free air, with heatsink kit: 50A
- output enable from server power supply routed out to a header
- minimum voltage drop from input to output: 1.4V at 70A
- input voltage range: 7V to 16V
- fast response to load changes: 80µs
- dimensions without heatsinks: 86 x 53 x 18mm