[Fourth try; 2 lost to the Esc key, 1 to trying to edit in preview. In Unix, the Esc key is vi's way to edit things. In the forum, it's start over, way over.]

Briefly (this time :) ), how'd you get your power supply? I'm hoping to see short posts like:
"vV@aA for $d from <source>."
"built vV@aA for $d from schematic from <source>"
"cannibalized vV@aA from <thing> for $d from <source>"
"grandmother gave me hers, vV@aA."

fwiw, I:
"need 14-30V@20A" for three PowerMaxII M21... wired bipolar parallel (lowest current, highest torque), 2.8A/phase x 2 phase/motor x 3 motor = 16.8A.

I hear the higher voltage the better in terms of response, but the bipolar drivers I've seen aren't happy above 30V.

I also hear "don't use switching supplies with steppers," but that may be only for drivers using current chopping.

Appreciate any posts, thanks. (And I ain't previewing neither. Been there, lost that...)

These may be too much if you are looking for 30v.. but i bought mine of ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3059598209

Traco Power TSL480-155PX Industrial Power Supply
Input: 93-264VAC Auto-ranging, 50/60Hz
Output: 48-55VDC Adjustable, 480 Watts, 10A

they are $50.
i'm expecting them to arrive either friday or monday.

I'd almost despaired of ever seeing another power supply on ebay ever again.

I was searching the internet for "high-amperage" circutis (found a 12V/30A at http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Power/1230psu.htm btw) when I found a:

24V/50A on ebay for $80.

(I have to say that $80 looked cheaper and cheaper as frustration at finding a suitable circuit mounted.)

Note to self: Buy controller THEN steppers rather than v.v.

Look for Power Supplies on Ebay that are for telecom equipment. There is lots of surplus out there and many handle pretty big amps. Many are 48 volts (some can be adjusted slightly higher or lower).

It may take awhile to find the price you want. But I found a 60V 30A (1800W) power supply and paid only $49.99 on Ebay.

Just be careful and stay away from anything that says "3 phase". Also, check and make sure it's 115V-in if you don't have the proper 220V outlets (220V come with different plugs for different amps).

Ebay Search Terms:
Power Supply 48
Power Supply amp
Power Supply CRU (charging rectifier unit)
Power Supply Cherokee
Power Supply Lambda
Power Supply Kepco
Power Suplly Siemens

Search Ebay for "24V power supply". There are usually quite a few.

Gerry

One more thing to watch is that some of the telecom supplies are DC-DC converters. If you get one of those, you'll still need a classic AC-DC power supply to get you from wall to the input DC voltage.

I'm did like ullbergm but I bought 2 from the guy on eBay and will hook them up to achive 48V 20 amps.

I'm running 1100 oz/in servos.