So I have an Astron VS-35M, and it’s been great for me. Now I need something bigger.

I thought I HAD to use a linear power supply for ano. The shop that sold me the Astron linear told me they’re being phased out by the EPA b/c they’re very inefficient (20%-50% efficiency), whereas switchings are 90% and accomplish the same thing.

Astron is the only co. that makes linear anymore, for now. It was a radio gear shop that advised me, but they sell to a lot of platers and they said switching is fine for plating. I’m only after ano.

He said switching technology has improved so much that they’re actually better than linear now, and not just in efficiency. It used to be you couldn’t regulate voltage and crossbar (?) — amperage — on switching supplies, which he said was why folks used to favor linear. He told me "DC is DC"…true?

I saw in another thread that Acidrain bought an Agilent power supply that was probably switching…how was that for you?

Switching supplies weigh less, you have more choices on manufacturers, and they’re cheaper, but it should be established decisively that they’re ok for our applications — especially if linears are dinosaurs soon to bcm extinct.

Does anyone else have a switching supply that works fine? What voltage and amperage? I’m on the east coast and can’t wait forever for a 50 lb supply to drop ship from California. Thanks!!