Hello, I'm sort of new here and have been building my own machine for awhile. I am at the point of finishing making my first controller board (using picstep as a basis for my design) and I need to get a power supply together. From what I've read most people seem to go with linear type supplies and not switching. Well no one said this hobby is cheap and I am in it for the long haul but I do want to save money where I can. My machine isn't that big, its 24" x 16" x 6" and the steppers are 80oz/in 8 wire type. I noticed that you can get a 24-36v/12 amp or larger powersupply fairly easily from Ebay etc but they are all switching type. Does it really hurt to go with a switching type or would you rather buy a transformer and rectify it yourself? The cost of a transformer that puts out that many amps is over $100 itself. Does anyone know where you can get transformers cheap? Ebay has way to many to even comprehend. There are so many types out there. The drivers can handle 55v/3amp per phase but my motors aren't that big (yet). I have a 24v/6amp switching ps I got off ebay but I don't think its enough power. What did most of you do for your power needs?
Sorry for the long post, just trying to learn and figure what's best the first time around...
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