Review request for HKJ [USB Power Devices]

d-t-a see here: USB meter: RD Tech USB 3.0 tester USB-3.0-H

A few USB PD modules that look interesting, to me, at least.

These two both have and DC barrel-jack input and a USB PD USB-C output. They advertise power capabilities over the USB port that are appropriate to the input voltage, and buck it down to what the connected device requests. It looks like it can do 60W or better. Useful for re-using DC power bricks or a DIY USB-PD battery pack.

This one basically just does protocol conversion between QuickCharge 2 / 3 and USB-PD and relies on the QuickCharge supply to provide the requested output voltage:

I'm not sure how practical it is to test them, given the complexities of USB-PD, and the value of the equipment at risk when powered by this sort of thing, but they are interesting, and potentially very useful.

Thanks, Eas. I thought I saw a review for an older model. Your link looks like the it is the highest RD_Tech model.

I think this is one of the few USB meters that support USB 3.0 passthrough (most USB meters only support USB 2.0 passthrough); ie. when you connect a USB 3.0 device > USB 3.0 meter > USB 3.0 port, the USB 3.0 device will still get USB 3.0 speed.

Most other meters: USB 3.0 device > USB (2.0) meter > USB 3.0 port; result is USB 3.0 device operate in USB 2.0 mode only.

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Suggestion for HKJ:

I love reading your reviews, but I’d like to make a small request — can the reviews have a ‘date published (and/or updated, if it has been updated)’?
Of course, in the forum, there’s the message posted date. But in the website, sometimes I’m not sure if a product reviewed is one that’s quite old or just a recent one. Approximate date is also fine (eg. month+year only)

(just some added info…)

In the previous page, I mentioned some new USB meters, namely the Power-Z KM001 (initially labeled ‘KingMeter’) and also a ‘Kotomi Pro’.

Upon doing some more browsing, I notice that there is a Power-Z KT001 and it seems to be exactly the same (rebrand or re-label) of the ‘Kotomi Pro’:
for instance, compare the images from

(Kotomi Pro)
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Kotomi-Pro-High-Precision-Color-USB-Current-Voltage-Meter-Capacity-Coulometers-PD-QC-Trigger-Line-Resistance/815142_32817004758.html

and

a review (in Chinese) of the Power-Z KT001:

Other than the color difference (Kotomi Pro is blue, the Power-Z KT001 is red), and possibly minor differences due to maybe firmware revisions, the screens of the 2 are practically the same.

Ergo, the Power-Z KT001 = Kotomi Pro (with maybe slight firmware differences).

(edit:)
found a post that shows the Kotomi Pre (as in ‘Premium’, probably = Kotomi ‘Pro’) with the faceplates being changed to read Power-Z KT001, so they are indeed interchangeable…):
http://www.chongdiantou.com/thread-52961-1-1.html

(edit:)
a video review of the Power-Z KT001 triggering USB Power Delivery (the FL001 is also shown) {in Chinese, but device is in English mode; short video ad may be shown at the beginning…) :

There is a comparison table (in Chinese — use Google Translate or ‘Instant Camera translate’ to translate them) comparing the specs of the Power-Z FL001 vs KM001 vs KT001 here:
http://www.chongdiantou.com/thread-53476-1-1.html

(edit:)
sometimes the table does not show up, I’ll try to copy the table and post here…

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The Power-Z FL001 seems to be a direct competition with the YZXStudio ZY1276 in terms of function.
Refer here for a side-by-side picture comparison of ZY1276 vs FL001 (this is a seller page in Taobao China (use Google camera translate to read the notes if needed), and of course that is biased in favor of the ZY1276):

The Power-Z FL001 has a fairly comprehensive English instructions manual here:
http://www.chongdiantou.com/thread-19102-1-2.html

The ZY1275 is supposed to be in direct competition with the Power-Z KM001, but I still can’t find much info about the ZY1275 (there are some pictures of it in Taobao, but basically just those and nowhere else?).

For info only….

Seems like the ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM001 is quite well asked in this Thread (;

And I already have it, but have not looked at it yet.

There’s a QC & USB-C DIY powerbank with included LED light:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QC3-0-2-Input-Type-C-Dual-USB-9V-12V-5x18650-Fast-Charge-Power-Bank-Case-Kit-/162304734888?var=&hash=item25ca1db6a8:m:m_jQsqLkrIlAwsWqt032jCQ

From what I understand, the type-C is only for input (QC3 input); but not type-C USB Power Delivery. Output looks to be USB-A (I wonder if it supports 2xQC3 output. So far, I don’t know any power bank that supports dual (or more) QC3 outputs (maybe only the YZXStudio DIY powerbank?) I believe Anker or RAVPower (and maybe other “branded” ones) are already starting to release USB-PD powerbanks that support up to 30-watt output…

not sure if it’s the same as the one (8x18650 version instead of 5x18650) reviewed here:

I quote the ebay article describtion:
“Double input ports with Type-C and Micro USB interface. Support charging and discharging simultaneously”

Sure, Vinsic VSPB303B Aukey PB-Y3:

With QC and USB-C its possible.

I think that means it supports passthrough charging.
Otherwise the micro-usb would be would be in- and output too.

Hey, i’d buy one of this USB power Switch.
It’s even USB 3.0 :slight_smile:
https://www.gadgethuset.dk/shop/85-diverse-computer-tilbehoer/3407-usb-taendsluk-knap/
https://www.google.de/shopping/product/11491495709799637935?prds=scoring:tps

There are also a lot of positive reviews:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-OFF-SWITCH-3-0-HmbG/product-reviews/B00RC1NFEI/

Funny thing is that this is the only product of the company (:
http://www.hmbg-gmbh.com/HmbG-1401-USB-Switch-Product_Data_Sheet_EN.pdf

I wonder how much it does.
It is easy to switch power with a ordinary switch.
USB 3 cannot be switched with a ordinary switch, it requires a chip or a very special switch (I doubt that is the case).

They write that power and data connections are cutted.
I’d try it with an USB 2.0 Webcam and an USB Voltmeter and it seems to me like that’s correct.

@HKJ any good 6/8 variable output + display powerbank in the queue? I'm looking for Qidian but still open to alternatives...

Maybe YZXstudio 8th Gen 8-cell powerbank?

Or tthe Vinsic VSPB303B with LCD numbers:
http://www.vinsic.com/Products/sku-VSPB303B

Found this USB 3.1 Type-C Power Delivery Sniffer:

http://plugable.com/products/usbc-tkey/plugable-usb-3-1-type-c-power-delivery-sniffer-user-guide/

Seems to have a good reputation on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Type-C-USB-C-Delivery-Sniffer/product-reviews/B015X29HLM/

That is a Indiegogo project, I may look at it when I can get it from a shop.
Now production seems to start in november, so maybe in 2018 some copies hit online shops.

Again some interesting power/cable metering/indication devices:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYJU6AG/

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJHGGYT/

This Xiaomi ZMI 20000 mAh?
https://www.gearbest.com/power-banks/pp_662137.html

It supports QC 3 and USB PD 2.0 protocols. It means you can charge some USB-C notebooks (like Mi Notebook Air or Macbook Pro) or QC powered devices. Seems really good. Price is even better (40€ right now). Would appreciate a review!
Thank you

Here’s a “Big Clive” video teardown of one of those rectangular five-port-USB power supplies (this one labeled “Swees”) that leaked a potentially lethal mains 220v onto the USB side:

Bad assembly QA — transformer winding insulation had been scraped off during assembly, allowing the transformer to short internally, then the fault had been taped over.

Here’s the Amazon page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SmartPower-Technology-Raspberry-Readers-External/dp/B00XP727SS

Looks identical to 5-port power supplies sold under a lot of different names, doesn’t it?

Here’s another description of the thing: The worst gadget ever supplies mains power over USB | Boing Boing