Power Supply.... linear or switched?

[Kropster]

Hi All

I am going to put ina 13.8V power supply for my mount.

Nice and dry in the shed.

Which is best, a 'linear' or a 'switched mode'?

Linears are more expensive, but are they more suitable for some reason and hence worth paying extra for?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

[Starlight 1]

Linears as the power come as a wave ,'switched mode is no good power come in blocks

[Astro_Baby]

What he said ^^^^^^

[knobby]

Switch mode are also very noisy (electronic not audible) which could upset the mount

[Astroboffin]

Yes totally agree with the above, DONT go for the switched mode, it will also give you RF issues, and may upset data flow to and from imaging devices, assuming you may be imaging

AB

[Kropster]

Thanks for the advice.

Linear looks the way to go.

I had noticed 'noise controls' on some switched mode supplies which didn't seem like a good sign.

One curious thing though.... PCs use switched mode supplies.

You would think that would be the last place to use them.

[astrofox]

absolute agreement. Off load switched can give odd voltages

[Astroboffin]

Thanks for the advice.

Linear looks the way to go.

I had noticed 'noise controls' on some switched mode supplies which didn't seem like a good sign.

One curious thing though.... PCs use switched mode supplies.

You would think that would be the last place to use them.

Yes they do, I had not thought of that, but as you say worst place to use them you would have thought......those supplies can be quite expensive, so maybe that have some electronics built into the better ones that can suppress the interference they can cause....

But that is just a guess really, not fact based at all.

AB

[Kropster]

Well, I went for a linear supply and splashed the cash on a 25 Amp variable one from Maplin for £99.99.

It should be all the power supply I will ever need. It looks nicely made and feels very beefy!

Thanks for all the advice.