Using USB power banks with Aerodrums 2

[Go4Sail]

Since yesterday i have my Power Supply for the AD´s-2 completed:

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BJQ7F16T?ref ... asin_title

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0F7Y4F7C5?ref ... title&th=1

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BB7MKTC8?ref ... asin_title

It works well and shows every stage of launching the device.

Hope it helps collecting the gear .. 🫡

[andrepolvo]

Thank you very much for your reply, Yann. I really think for now I'll use the AD2 with my power supply; only when I don't have a way to plug it into an outlet will I use my power bank. I'll try to find one that works as you described.

[InTheWorks]

so we also got a USB-A to barrel cable that does 5v to 18v voltage step up itself

This is probably the best solution with the widest compatibility.

As you mentioned already relying on usb pd is not great. When pd negotiation fails, the usb pd device I was playing with still output 5V when it couldn't negotiate what it was asking for. That's bad behaviour. If the AD2 turns on a little bit with 5V that may cause damage within.

In any case, with any of these solutions it's probably a good idea to plug the barrel jack into the AD2 last and unplug it first. That way any voltage spikes at power up or power down won't damage the AD2.

For anyone else interested, I built my own adapter using some parts from aliexpress.

20251218_141517_1.JPG (449.99 KiB) Viewed 7960 times

In particular, I bought:

MT3608 DC-DC Adjustable Boost Module 2A Boost Plate Step Up Module TYPE-C MICRO USB 2V-24V to 5V 9V 12V 28V
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008282461434.html
In the "colour" MT3608 Type-C USB

18 AWG 5A Male Female Power Cable DC Connector 30cm 2pin 5-24V Power Adapter Wire 5.5x2.1mm 2.5mm Plug for TV Camera LED Strip
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009965738663.html
in the "colour" 18AWG Male

I also bought an 18V zener diode to put directly on the output of the DC-DC converter board for some piece of mind. This zener will start conducting at around 20V so should protect the AD2.

I adjusted the potentiometer for 18V, but it's kinda finicky. Likely a low quality part. But once set for 18V it doesn't seem to change between power ups. I need to drop some nail polish on the adjustment screw, but better would be to replace it with a fixed resistor. Which I may do at a later time. I'll likely shorten the cable quite a bit and put heatshrink around the board. Won't be pretty, but it will work.

If I were to do it again, I'd try to get a slimmer wire. 18AWG is way overkill.

If you have a voltmeter and can solder, it's a good way to know exactly what you're getting. Which is why I did it.

There's no extra noise from this set up. I haven't used it much yet, but so far so good.

There are other aliexpress modules that plug right into usb-a ports if that's something you prefer:

1/5/10PCS Boost Buck Converter USB Step UP / Down Power Supply Module DC-DC 5V to DC1.2V-24V Adjustable Output
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008691147152.html

That one is nice because no soldering or volt meter required. It has a built in voltage display. The outputs are screw terminals. It has usb-c input as well. I haven't used it.

Those ripcord 18V adapters could probably be opened up and perhaps then it would be possible to rewire the cable for centre positive polarity. That would be the cleanest, nicest looking option if it worked. A small adapter cable from centre negative to centre positive could also work, but I haven't seen one that goes to 5.5x2.5 centre positive.

After a pretty exhaustive search, I couldn't find a cleaner solution.