Products > Test Equipment

Can anyone recommend a budget USB power tester?

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thm_w:
I bought the Fnirsi 48 but hate the UI design, its terrible to navigate and use for basic tasks. Save yourself the hassle and get a $5 USB-A one to start.

These look interesting for type C, but no type A
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006822341040.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006848187940.html

shabaz:
Just to add another one to the pile of options; I have the one shown in the screenshot, for USB-C purposes.
I've never tried testing it for accuracy, but it's certainly useful for occasional tasks, to understand what voltage got power-deliveried, and the current draw.
I can't say if it is much better or worse than other products. I didn't spend a lot of time comparing specs at the time, I just had a need and it worked for it. There are different displays (including a real-time chart display with selectable speeds) but the main numeric display is the one I actually use, it's fairly readable from a distance too, despite being small.

EDIT: Found some action shots of it on my phone, I've added those.

DaneLaw:

--- Quote from: thm_w on July 22, 2024, 11:24:40 pm ---I bought the Fnirsi 48 but hate the UI design, its terrible to navigate and use for basic tasks. Save yourself the hassle and get a $5 USB-A one to start.

These look interesting for type C, but no type A
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006822341040.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006848187940.html

--- End quote ---

Got one of those, as sadly most of the other USB-meters I got, don't show max-logged values... one of the features (parameter) that sadly was dropped on Fnirsi FNB58, while the unit you mentioned Fnirsi 48 had that.

Use these (KWS2301C) on powerbanks/TypeC output, as its an easy way to see what max-amp/volt/watt took place with different PWM programs and voltages.


--- End quote ---


The mentioned dual socket ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006436199557.html? (haven't tried them, but one of the few budget options that both got USB-A M/F + TypeC M/F)

The USB-meter I reckon I used the most over the years, is these jack-of-all-trades. https://lygte-info.dk/review/USBmeter%20USB%20tester%20Atorch%20UD18%20%28Hidance%29%20UK.html
Mainly because of the DC-barrel ability .. got two of them, one is fitted with 2.1mm barrel DC connection and the other with a 2.5.

pcprogrammer:
Be aware that with the cheap ones from Aliexpress the soldering can be wonky. I have two different cheap ones that both needed re-soldering of some of the parts.

One of them I ordered via the get 3 for free shipping and they send a different one then offered, disputed it and got my money back, so it was for free. It is similar to this one https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006582906017.html where the display alternates between voltage and current, but the connections are on the short sides like the other one I own. The soldering of the display was flaky which I discovered when it twisted a bit while inserting into a USB port.

On the other one https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006589627822.html I did not spot the problem in the beginning, but after several times of using it, connecting and disconnecting, it started to become unstable. After an inspection I spotted bad solder joints. Re-soldered them and it is working fine again. Did not check the accuracy though.

Phil1977:
Be also aware that few of these devices loop through the LVDS-pairs for USB3.0, Displayport, Thunderbolt etc.

The FN58 is doing quite well regarding this, but it´s form factor is not so great for USB-C usage.

I have another €5-cheapo with USB-C on both sides where the lines are routed but not with the required quality for fast signals. A simple LED continuity tester shows they´re connected but even a simple HDD falls back to 480MBps.

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