Do I need to control Volts or Amps or both?

[auAlan]

Hi, Just starting out and have been doing quite a bit of research for hobby plating but can't seem to get a definite answer on power supply. I have a power supply that I can adjust the voltage with but not the amps, do I NEED to control both? Some say calculate for volts and the amps will follow (ohms law), yet some say x number of amps are required so adjust the volts to suit. Regardless of the actual amount of volts or amps which one is it? Thanks in advance.

[lcaswell]

Amps if you're tank plating. Volts if you're brush plating.

[seanc]

... do I NEED to control both? ...

Short answer: NO.

Long answer: fact is, you CAN'T control both. You chose which one to control, and the other will follow. So in this respect, you ARE controlling both: directly controlling one, which indirectly dictates the other.

Which one you chose to control depends on your power supply capability, and/or which method (voltage or current control) you elect to use.

Sean