USB "charger doctor" (volt+current display)

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
14

I ordered mine on the 15th. Hopefully I'll be getting it soon..

15

Getting me one of these, you can still preorder http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/david-toledo/the-practical-meter-know-your-power

16

It is quite small but for some devices it can get in the way of other ports and plugs. There are small clips which are quite fragile but you can remove the case if you are careful:

Here you can see it just fits with the case removed:

With a device connected it alternates between showing current draw for approx 7 seconds then voltage for 3 seconds.

PCB:

17

You take some incredible photos Chloe, thanks for sharing!

18

Thank you, Ryan!

19

I can see that Chloe got the nice version, mine is not very nice in soldering:

20

Oh wow. :Sp Does yours work at least?

I made a little video of it in use:

21

Nice video.

I have not really tested it, but it does show 5 volt (I picked it up yesterday).

22

Thanks, HKJ! I got mine from Ebay.

It does look cute. Blue LEDs can be a bit too bright though. I like that the arrangement doesn’t block other ports.

23

Thanks for the video.
Looks a bit weird with the changing amperage…

24

Same here, and the photo on the dealers page shows the version you have.

It is the same schematic for the two, but mine looks like an earlier version. Yours version is optimized a bit: All parts are smd and the printing on the pcb is removed.

25

Probably because the charger has a pulsing current draw.

26

Thanks to all you guys, I find very interesting and just buy one.
In this great forum I am always learning how to spend money :wink:

27

Chloe could you please test it with some other devices and report if the current stays stable.

28

So which seller has the good soldering job/more recent version?

29

It is stable when charging my phone (and you can see how intelligent the phone built-in charger is as it draws less approaching 99% full), and shows a steady 0.03 A for my Logitech wireless receiver.

As HKJ said, the Soshine SC-F3 charger pulses during charge cycle. You can see it more clearly with an ammeter or scope:

30

Thanks, now I am awaiting my charger doctor with a smile on my face….

31

I hear ya! Can't wait to get mine :)

32

Well these things can vary but I got mine from Ebay seller estore2009.

33

Thanks for the photos, videos and comments!

I will tell you guys which version is the one that DX sells…. in 2 weeks :_(