Maker David Johnson-Davies has designed a compact board for anybody trying to flip a USB Energy Supply (PD)-capable energy provide right into a user-selectable fastened voltage for his or her breadboard tasks and extra: the USB-C Energy Supply Dongle.
“This can be a small board that can ship considered one of six fastened voltages from a USB-C energy adapter that helps [USB] Energy Supply,” Johnson-Davies explains of the gadget. “It is compact sufficient you can put it according to a USB-C cable, encapsulated in a small case or heatshrink tubing, and you’ll choose the voltage by soldering a wire hyperlink or becoming a jumper in considered one of six positions. A inexperienced LED signifies when the output is energetic.”
Want a compact, easy technique to get a configurable voltage from a USB Energy Supply provide? Here is the board for you. (📷: David Johnson-Davies)
USB has lengthy been a helpful technique to energy gadgets, however early variations of the usual had been restricted in simply how a lot energy they might present — topping out at a hard and fast 5V and as much as 500mA. Later revisions launched the flexibility to extend the amperage, nevertheless it wasn’t till the launch of the USB Energy Supply normal and later USB Programmable Energy Provide normal that the voltage might be adjusted too.
Johnson-Davies’ energy adapter takes benefit of this, however simplifies issues: the board handles all negotiation of voltages, based mostly solely on which jumper is closed. Customers can decide between the usual 5V or negotiated voltages of 9V, 12V, 15V, 18V, or 20V, utilizing both a permanently-soldered hyperlink or a moveable jumper. Area for a resistor on the rear permits for a configurable amperage, with Johnson-Davies recommending the dongle for as much as 2.25A.
“If the voltage and present mixture you’ve gotten chosen is not obtainable from the ability adapter it is going to present the closest obtainable decrease voltage,” Johnson-Davies notes. “So, for instance, Apple USB-C energy adapters usually supply 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V. In the event you request 12V from considered one of these adapters you’re going to get 9V, and for those who request 18V you’re going to get 15V. The voltages and currents offered by an adapter are often proven on a label on the facet of the adapter.”
Extra info is obtainable on Johnson-Davies’ weblog, whereas Eagle-format design information and Gerber manufacturing information have been printed to GitHub below an unspecified license.
