PD3.0/PD3.1 bench setup? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: InductorX
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2025, 07:17:35 am
content: Hello everyone,I'm looking to improve my work area, declutter it let's say. I mainly repair laptops/MacBooks and on occasion some other electronics (motherboards/gpu/...). Lately I've been annoyed by the many cables on my workbench, I'm looking to simplify.I have a linear power supply (well, several, but you get the drift) that I want to use to power the laptops/macbooks, I've already got the many different plugs and such, I was just wondering what other people in a similar situation do. Do you people use PD3.0/3.1 decoy triggers for example, usb power meters (although they should be passthrough I guess), or do you not use a linear power supply and stick with chargers? Ideally it would be great to have a setup that I can just plug in the connector that I need for the specific brand/device on the table, either using banana plugs for example, or another system.There's a lot of choices, so I'm just looking for some input/ideas to help me keep my sanity and optimize spaceThanks!

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2025, 12:53:46 pm
content: I'm missing cables, because just moved to new country, not everything has arrived from ali yet. United States is much less than Russian Federation when it comes to going out and buying whatever you need. Things like cables aren't available at your local stores and need to be ordered online. In Russia I could have just go out, and come back 30 minutes later with everything I need.Basically, out of your power supply (I don't use linear, but it doesn't matter), you have power connecting toXY-PDS100, then out of that via type-c you have power going intoWITRN U3orWITRN C5orK2or whatever.This way you see power curves on your power supply, then you got indicators on XY, and then also on your PC via bluetooth from your power meter.At the same time, XY accepts wide range of power, so you are free to use your power supply to find shorts if you need to. I have my XY on toggle switch, usually attached on top of power supply, though, this time around I'm not sure how it will be, maybe attached to furniture.That's just for powering using type-c. For direct power plugs, there is a kit which attaches directly to your power supply.As far as not using manufacturer's power supply, that don't always work out. Sometimes you have to use manufacturer's power supply.To recap. You definately need XY and prefferably bluetooth enabled power meters. Definitely type-a and direct type-c meters. Definitely connector kit.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2025, 07:59:34 pm
content: Quote from: InductorX on April 02, 2025, 07:17:35 amSomething that might help you are USB-C to 5.5x2.1mm barrel connectors that incorporate the PD trigger in a convenient package. You can get ones that produce a particular voltage on the barrel jack (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V or 20V) or ones that has a little control "bulge" with a button and LEDs to let you select a voltage. They generally claim to support up to 5A, but personally I've only used them on low-wattage devices (probably not even above 1 Amp), so I'd take those high power claims with a grain of salt until you've tested.As I'm sure you know, the 5.5x2.1 connector will work as-is on many laptops, and converters for laptops that don't have 5.5x2.1 jacks can be easily sourced.These thing usually won't help for a laptop that you want to charge with more than 100W - at least the ones I have don't go higher. There probably are some if you look around. And some laptops (like Dell) will only pull more than 100W with their own proprietary chargers (because they want more than the 5A that USB-PD supports).A couple examples on Amazon (but you can of course source a lot cheaper on the usual AliExpress type sites):-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHZNWF52-https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGF9DX8JQuote from: InductorX on April 02, 2025, 07:17:35 amI use these all the time, even the ones that are just an LED display on a passthrough connector no bigger than a fingernail. I wouldn't say they're essential, but I like to know what's going on for whatever reason. I even got some USB chargers that have a wattage and/or volt & amp display even though I have plenty of USB chargers