[DARARepeater] Magic Smoke release, NanoVNA, USB-C charger for Incite $99 Laptop from Microcenter

[George]

George can you get this to the TNG list

 

Mark


Begin forwarded message:

Beware:

Tonight I let the magic smoke out of my NanoVNA by simply using the USB-C charger for my $99 Incite Laptop from Microcenter to charge the NanoVNA.

It really is all Windows fault! I have been updating the new laptop for hours, got bored, decided to work with the NanoVNA, it needed to be charged, so I just unplugged the USB-C charger out of the laptop and plugged it into the USB-C receptacle on the NanoVNA.

The NanoVNA display went very bright and then dead.

I have surmised that not all USB-C are the same or safe or interchangeable.
It cost me about $35 to learn that.
I am really glad it wasn’t my Mac laptop.

I will be quite careful about what USB-C supply I use with USB-C devices in the future.

The NanoVNA comes with a USB-C receptacle and a USB-A to USB-C adapter cord.  USB-A is typically 5 Volts, it turns out the Incite Laptop USB-C charger is indeed 12 Volts, I am guessing/hoping better devices can regulate the USB-C voltage.  It seems some USB-C can go to 20 Volts.

I would be concerned with Raspberry Pi 4 which also have a USB-C receptacle.

Please learn from my lesson.

73

Mark Young
N2OJD

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