Build This Compact USB-C Power Supply for Just $15
For just $15, you can build this adjustable USB-C bench power supply for your electronics projects.
Sometimes electronics enthusiasts build things for themselves to save money, and other times they do it to create something more unique than they can buy off the shelf. In the case of YouTuber Hands’ latest build, it was custom made for both of these reasons. Hands’ USB-C bench power supply only cost about $15 in parts, and you won’t find anything quite so unique offered up by any major electronics manufacturer.
If you’d like to build one yourself, it is actually quite simple. The main thing you will need is a ZK-4KX DC-DC Buck Boost Converter. Not only is it equipped with a constant-voltage, constant-current buck-boost module, but it also has a nice, clean display to show the voltage and current output. The converter can accept any input from 5V to 30V, and can output from 0.5V to 30V.
To supply the converter with power, Hands used a USB-C PD module that negotiates with the connected port and outputs up to 20V. The buck-boost converter gets pretty hot while in operation, so a small fan was also included in the build for cooling. This fan gets its power via a voltage regulator. For safety, a fuse was installed on the banana plug outputs. The hardware is enclosed in a 3D-printed case.
Ultimately, a serious hobbyist is going to need a traditional bench power supply for their projects. But this little device created by Hands would be ideal for those who are new to electronics and aren’t ready to buy a pricey power supply just yet. Even for the seasoned engineer, this build could still come in handy from time to time due to its compact form factor.
Be sure to give the video a close watch before you decide to build your own copy of the power supply.