====== Handy universal power supply ======

I came across these units and I think with a few little additions (a box and some nice terminals) they make an //incredibly// useful thing for any workshop or overland vehicle.

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They accept inputs from about 6v to ~36v and can output 0.6v - 36v at up to 5A with current control / protection.

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**NOTE** it's important to look for the DPH not DPS type, and/or specifically the BOOST capable (often listed as Buck/Boost or "step-up") type, as these can boost voltage as well as drop it as the name suggests. This means you can generate 13v to charge a car battery from a 6v scooter battery just as easily as a 24v truck battery.
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These units (DPH5005) are available for around £20 on ebay, they're very small, are easy to fit into a control panel or small box and can cover a whole range of electrical scenarios;

  * Universal battery charging: Even from the wrong voltage or a "dead" battery. The boost capability means you can generate 12v charging current from any power source above about 6v.
  * Universal DC Power supply: Need 5v to charge a USB device, 19V to charge a laptop, 24v to boost a dead truck battery? This unit can give you 5A of power at anything up to 36v.
  * Solar controller: These can take the output from a standard ~28v solar panel and stabilise it to whatever output you need.

Someone has even created updated [[https://github.com/kanflo/opendps|open-source firmware]] for them, and there's a fork of it that has a [[https://leo.leung.xyz/wiki/OpenDPS|specific battery charger mode]] too.

I've seen similar modules sold as WZ3605E too.

There's similar modules with a less colourful screen sold as SK35H, or in full "//SK35H CNC DC-DC Buck Boost Converter Adjustable Regulated Power Supply Module//" or some combination of all those words jumbled up and pasted.