adjustable USB-C power supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: delmadord
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 02:40:23 pm
content: Hello there !I am looking for cheap adjustable USB-C power supply. Until now, I found few of them on Aliexpress.links:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001085542956.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.0.0.4c776d123Bx8afhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001605280556.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.1.be74680eA2n31qhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001507485118.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000060.2.377141982QtuZ4But as soon as there are no real reviews of these items, I want to ask you, do you have any experience with these goods ? Are they usable ?Or can you recommend me anything, that will fit that role of USB-C power supply ?Thanks,Pete

author: dobsonr741
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 03:04:55 pm
content: What do you want to use it for? Without the purpose hard to evaluate.IMO, these gadgets has great entertainment value: you can test them, find their faults, let them release the magic smoke and tear them down.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 03:06:38 pm
content: There are items often called "USB-C PD Trigger Modules", in which you connect a USB-C PD power supply to the input, and the module triggers the power supply to produce a chosen voltage like 5 V, 9 V, 12 V, 20 V at the output.Is this the kind of thing you are referring to?If so, you need to be aware that all the capability depends on the USB-C supply you use as a source. It must have the capability to deliver what the trigger module asks for. Beware that not all of them do. Some may be limited to only 5 V or 9 V, for example.

author: delmadord
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 08:51:13 pm
content: Hi.Sometimes I need to have 3.3V, 5V, 12V or 24V at around ~10W handy, when on the go. I do not want to carry my SPD3303X-E around all the time, when going to the customer.I am looking for something that I can throw into my backpack, where I have a laptop with a 65W USB-C PD charger already.The description on these items fits my use case nicely, but I could not find much reviews, as these are usually no-brand ebay/ali items.I would even opt for a *branded* USB-C backpack size power supply, if someone recommended one (I had hard time finding one, but maybe I did not look hard enough).Thanks!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 09:29:17 pm
content: The third link doesn't look too bad, but if its buck-boost it might be a bit noisy. Depends how much you care about noise and ripple, you haven't given any current or voltage requirements for what you are doing.Another option is the PD trigger module IanB is talking about, set it to 20V, then add a buck regulator module on the output (one of the Ruideng DPS modules).There is also the one defpom tested but it blew up:Its definitely the most polished product, but not cheap ~$150.MDP-P906

author: yombo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 09:41:31 pm
content: Hi. A good PD2.0 charger or power bank usually is also compatible with QC 3.0. This is what those gadgets use, and gives voltages from 3.6 to 20 V in steps of 200 mV. The max amps are up to the charger, usually good ones give 3A (at 20V) or more.This can be hacked with any microcontroller, you just need two free pins and some resistors connected to D+ and D- of the USB.This video from Andreas Spiess explains how it works:Though for the price, the links you mentioned seem worth it.In the other hand, as you only need some fixed voltages, a USB-C PD trigger module (sometimes also called decoy), as mentioned, could be better. They are less than two dollar, but they are fixed voltage. Well, not exactly: The truth is that there are two versions (one for 9/12V and the other for 15/20V), with one solder jumper you can switch between the two voltages of each type.Then there are PD dongles that let you choose from 9, 12, 15 and 20 V with a button and have an RGB LED.For 3V3 you'll need a linear regulator so your QC 3.0 adjustable gadgets seem better option.Oh and QC4.0 if supported, has steps of 20 mV and broader voltage range.Greetings.

author: delmadord
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2023, 04:33:43 pm
content: Just found MDP-P906 separately when searching for something else and it caught my eye. Then I found it already suggested here in the thread. Thanks!