An idea mentioned to me by Ross, EX0AA. USB C Power Deliver (PD) lets the powered device ask for certain voltages and the power supply can adjust. It turns out you can buy cables or adapters with the PD negotiating chip in them so I purchased a USB C to 2.1mm plug. Mine is configured for 12V and seems to power my QMX very nicely.
There's no particularly noticible noise from the battery (which presumably has a buck converter) but I'm sure the noise floor is higher. One thing to watch is that not all battery packs are capable of 12V, my others only do 5V. The no-load voltage is very close to 12V.
As well as cables there are adapters with a USB C socket on them.
It would be great if the USB C socket on a QRP radio used PD to be at least optionally powered this way.
The powerbank I bought is the UGREEN 100W Power Bank 2000mAh. (I think the trick is to get one that can charge laptops and not just phones. The cable is described as "USB Type-C PD to 12V DC 5.5 * 2.1mm"
2 comments:
I bought a tiny PCB to do this a few years ago but couldn't get it to work. My idea was to use a PD capable power bank as a 12v supply when I eventually fly somewhere with radio. No Lipo flight hassles.
The homebrew rig is gonna make me look like the Unabomber but that's another problem.
Can you post a link or search terms for this?
I purchased the powerbank and cable from Amazon but I know that Jaycar also sells the cable.
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