Overview
EasyVolts is an adjustable power supply that takes 5V DC from USB and converts it to any desired voltage in the range from 0 to 15V. The onboard DC-DC converter allows us to use almost all power that can be taken from USB2.0. This is a big advantage in comparison with simple linear power supplies. EasyVolts has embedded microcontroller responsible for output voltage and current limit control over USB. When the device is connected to USB it appears on PC as two virtual COM ports. One is used to control power supply and second - as "USB-to-serial" adaptor. Such design lets you control this device easily with any software that can communicate over COM port, including your own programs or scripts.
How it can be used
1) As a "power+communication" tool for professional engineers. With EasyVolts you can connect various devices to your laptop and work with them everywhere or even remotely.
2) For DIY and hobby - because it can be simply controlled through COM port. Just connect your load (LED, relay, motor or whatever you want to control), plug it in USB port (it can be your laptop or even RaspberryPi) and that's it! Now you can control your load either manually (with any COM port terminal program) or automatically (using a script or your own software). Just send a textual command to EasyVolts and it will change a brightness of your LED or start up motor or switch relay. Just that simple!
Why I created it
Because I wasn't happy.
My name is Valerii Proskurin and I'm embedded engineer with more than 10 years of experience. In my business, I often need to make a demonstration of a new device at a meeting or debug some piece of equipment in a field. And sometimes it's not that easy because this requires a power supply which is large, heavy and useless if there is no power socket nearby. I also hate that power supply wires keep my laptop tied to a particular place and limit my mobility. One day I thought that it's a bit stupid to suffer from all these wires and at the same time use laptop that has embedded battery and perfectly works autonomously. That's how the idea of EasyVolts came to me. I decided to make a portable and universal tool which would provide me with two most needed in every electronic laboratory or workshop things - possibility to provide power to device and possibility to communicate with it. And here it is! Meet EasyVolts - world's first portable USB powered and controlled power supply for DIY and professionals with embedded "USB-to-serial" adapter for both UART and RS-485 interfaces.
Technical parameters
Output voltage: 0-15V.
Max output current: 1A.
Max output power: 2.25W*.
Voltage resolution: <50mV.
Current resolution: 10mA.
* - this is an important parameter because according to USB2.0 specification its maximum power is limited to 2.5W. DC-DC converter efficiency is high, so we can deliver ~60-90% of input power (depends on selected output voltage and load). It means that max output current at 15v will be ~0.15a and at 3.3v it will be ~0.55a.
What's included
EasyVolts kit includes a connector and heat shrink tube.
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You can solder the suggested connector or any other that fits the PCB(2.54mm). Some people may prefer to solder wires with their own connectors. After this, if you want, you can protect the PCB with heat shrink tube.
Project status
I have finished initial design and tested an early prototype of the device to prove its capabilities. But I can't finish the project without your support. Making the final design, testing and starting production requires a lot of work and resources, that's why I ask you for a help. Please support the project if you want to make it real!
The Impact
EasyVolts is safe and simple to use and I hope that it will be useful not only for work or hobby but also for education.
Risks & Challenges
The Product
Parameters of the prototype are already measured but there's still the possibility of a late specification change. At the moment all of the features have been tested and work well except output noise level. EasyVolts is definitely not suitable for noise sensitive applications like audio or precise measurement equipment. It's a weak side of all DC-DC power converters, but I work on improving this parameter.
Manufacturing
The biggest risk in manufacturing is component lead-times. Even with good planning, component lead-times beyond our control and may delay production.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please tell your friends about this campaign. The more people will know about it, the more chances that we will reach our goals. If you are a popular blogger and you want to make a review of the device - please contact with me. I'll be happy to provide several prototypes for an independent review for free.