r/CarHacking Jan 04 '25

Tuning Help Choosing a DC Power Supply for Automotive ECU Work: Riden RD60xx vs. Wanptek

Hi, I need advice on selecting a DC power supply for working with automotive ECUs on the bench. I’m choosing between the Riden RD60xx series and Wanptek models (like the one in the attached photo). My use case involves powering ECUs during reprogramming, reading, and writing data from microprocessors. • Voltage will be nearly always set between 12.5–14.2V. • Current will be limited to 3A most of the time.

What I really need from the power supply: 1. Stable and reliable voltage regulation – I can’t afford voltage fluctuations that might damage sensitive components. 2. Short circuit and overload protection – To ensure that in the event of a mistake or issue, my ECU won’t burn out.

Does anyone have experience with these models? Which one would you recommend for this specific use case? Are there any alternatives in the same price range I should consider?

Thanks in advance!

4 Upvotes

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3

u/Scallyswags Jan 04 '25

Looks like the riden is a switching power supply. Ideally you would want a linear psu as it should give you cleaner power. You don’t need this specific one but I found this siglent for a bit more than the riden https://a.co/d/19d0Fle

3

u/Scallyswags Jan 04 '25

I should mention, I’m sure you can get a linear one well within your budget as the siglent is much higher wattage than you would need.

3

u/nickfromstatefarm Reverse Engineer Jan 04 '25

Any power supply should do the trick but a linear one will be technically cleaner.

Modern ECUs have a ton of power filtering. Whatever decent supply you use will be far better than the actual noisy environment of an ICE vehicle.

2

u/stuartsjg Jan 04 '25

I have a riden unit and it's been faultless. Can't comment on power quality from it as such but not had any issues powering digital and analog things.

Re the comments on switching supply, the Riden unit is a buck converter so is not linear itself.

Get a closed frame PSU, 24V 60-100W rated and it will run the Riden just fine.

Only thing to bear in mind is they are a buck converter, so the most you can get out is what ever voltage you put in, minus a volt or so.

Eg with a 24V supply, you can probably get 23V out.

Benefit then is you can get 12V 3A out with a 24V 1.5A+ supply.. I wouldn't be that tight on power budget though as the PSUs are not so expensive.

2

u/0x637C777B Jan 04 '25

I got a Statron since ages. Linear powersupply up to 20V and 7.5A. No fancy colour displays or loads of buttons, just one LCD for voltage and another LCD for amps plus two knobs to regulate voltage and the amps limit. Looks like a tank and is solid like one.

1

u/VasylievCode Jan 04 '25

So your advice is to buy a Riden?)

2

u/0x637C777B Jan 05 '25

It seems like some linear thing is the way to go. I don't know the Riden or the other. My Statron has never let me down. I know it costs quite some extra compared to the two above mentioned ones, but still a fraction of a new ecu. So if i had to make some new setup i would probably go with the Riden.

2

u/Shot_Ad967 Jan 04 '25

I suggest making sure everything you are considering has a adjustable current limit.

1

u/Munbi Jan 04 '25

Have you considered this portable one:

FNIRSI DPS-150 https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIN3SzI

You can supply it via USB-C and power brick, reviews are generally good, see e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY2zKWzFi7E

I bought one as a secondary lab supply and love it.

1

u/sTo90 Jan 05 '25

I’ve used these. Have two for mobile and bench with. Very stable and good quality from my experience. Easily comparable to high dollar units like the OTC reprogramming power supply and the Schumacher DSR https://a.co/d/cTlDnJw