Kolink Continuum KL-C1500PL PSU review – one for miners!

1. Introduction2. Bundle & Cabling3. External4. Internal5. Testing Methodology and Results6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Due to public requests we have changed our temperature settings recently – previously we rated with ambient temperatures at 25C, we have increased ambient temperatures by 10c (to 35c) in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.

We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• Extech digital sound level meter
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

12V output is combined for our testing.

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
150W	0.90	3.33	0.84	5.05	11.65	12.27	0.5	5.01	0.20	-12.07
300W	1.63	3.32	1.65	5.03	23.75	12.23	1.0	4.98	0.20	-12.06
750W	3.01	3.27	3.02	4.99	59.66	12.18	1.5	4.97	0.30	-12.06
1125W	4.05	3.24	4.05	4.96	90.00	12.12	2.0	4.94	0.30	-12.09
1500W	15.56	3.22	15.55	4.95	113.30	12.04	2.5	4.92	0.50	-12.08

Load regulation is not too bad. All lines show some fluctuation but it falls well within what we would deem to be acceptable (5%).

Kolink Continuum KL-C1500PL PSU	Maximum Load
	1634W

We managed to get the PSU to achieve 1634W before it would shut down, delivering around 134W more than the rated specifications.

Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.

Cross Load Testing	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
1150W	3.0	3.33	2.0	5.05	92.0	12.06	0.2	-12.06	0.50	5.03
250W	20.0	3.23	24.0	4.96	5.0	12.26	0.2	-12.07	0.50	5.04

The power supply did very well in our Cross Load tests – far from class leading, but decent enough.

We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum.

ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.

ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
Output	Ripple (mV p-p)
+3.3V	50
+5V	50
+12V1	120
+12V2	120
-12V	120
+5VSB	50

Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12V	5VSB
500W	15	10	10	10
750W	20	15	15	10
1000W	20	15	25	15
1250W	20	15	30	20
1500W	25	20	40	25

These ripple results are not the greatest we have seen in recent months, but to be fair they are all falling well within industry rated tolerance levels. No concerns here.

Efficiency (%)
500W	93.57
750W	94.25
1000W	93.57
1250W	92.72
1500W	91.89

The efficiency ratings are superb, peaking at just over 94% between 50% and 60% load.

We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.

Today to test the power supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.

As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.

KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum

Noise (dBA)
500W	<28.0
750W	31.4
1000W	34.8
1250W	38.3
1500W	39.7

At lower loads the power supply is pretty quiet, but as demand rises, the fan starts spinning faster. At around 1000 watts, the fan is clearly heard, although not too intrusive. At over 1200 watts, the fan is running around the 1800 rpm mark and is clearly heard. As we detailed earlier in the review, Kolink have specifically went for a Double Ball Bearing fan to ensure the best cooling performance and long term reliability – at the expense of noise. This is catering specifically to the miners out there.

At full load, the fan is running around 2,000-2,100 rpm and we get close to 40dBa output.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
500W	36	39
750W	38	41
1000W	41	49
1250W	45	52
1500W	48	53

The large fan spins fast when the load rises but its working so hard that the exhaust temperature at full load is very impressive. There is a trade off in regards to noise – as detailed on this page.

Maximum load	Efficiency
1634W	91.54

At 1634W, the efficiency level is still good, measuring 91.54%. Not a practical situation to be running 24/7, but worth noting.

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