Slate AX requirement for 4A adapter

NomadTony · 2022-06-20T21:31:08.226Z

Hmm @alzhao can we get GL-iNet to specify what is safe to use and not safe to use as replacement/alternative adapters for the Slate AX? IE are USB-C bricks ok, or should we only use USB-A bricks, what size/output. You mention 3A but @Johnex mentions 2A.

Thanks

Johnex · 2022-06-20T21:40:51.698Z

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Usage with Adguard Home + Wireguard server.

It hovers around 1A, max 1.2A and lowest 0.9A.

2A is enough for just the router.

alzhao · 2022-06-21T04:18:51.027Z

I think as long as it works, it is safe to use.

TypeC chargers has safe regulations. If they cannot detect PD protocol, they should output nothing or just 5V. 5V is good to go.

NomadTony · 2022-06-21T16:39:27.460Z

Thanks - good to know on different chargers reacting differently. Likely the explanation for why some worked and some don’t.

I think it would be great for GL-iNet to either release a compact travel charger for the AX, or to find one they recommend we can use safely.

For now I think I will try to find the highest output reasonably sized USB-A charger and use a USB-A to C cable

NomadTony · 2022-06-21T16:45:40.194Z

Can you try it with a USB Stick or Hard drive plugged in? Would be neat to see how that impacts the current draw. 2 amps of overhead seems like a lot as far as the stock power brick is concerned.

LupusE · 2022-06-22T09:34:42.887Z

In my day job my customers keep asking me the same question, over and over again. But it is not possible to answer.

If I sell an electronic device with a suitable power supply, I have to guarantee, it will work in the given specs. If a customer don’t like the PS, he/she/it is free to change it, but it should met the given specs.
If I, as seller, recommend another device, 80% of my customers can be happy. But if the vendor is changing the internals in exact this device, I am responsible for any damages. Only because I recommended it.

It is the same with WLAN cards. I remember the Orinoco gold (802.11b). One batch was excellent for use with Linux 2.2, the next was crap. The same later with the Netgear WG111 (802.11b/g), even if they used v2 and v3 to make it a little easier.
And if you’d think this is quite the past, look up the amazon reviews of the recommended Kali Linux cards…

And in my case, I will prepare my RV with a DC/DC converter. I’m glad I don’t have to pay more for a PS, I won’t use after the testing.

Johnex · 2022-06-30T23:23:18.604Z

Sorry for the long reply, didn’t have an external disk to test on. Here is a small laptop harddisk running off USB:

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Still well under 2A with a small disk.

K3rn3l_Ku5h · 2022-07-01T02:58:43.375Z

Thats all well and good but, try saving a 4k video file to the hard-drive then stream it it to a device and see what the drawl is. Plus its a good reason to watch movies on company time.

Johnex · 2022-07-01T10:39:57.333Z

On modern drives you can see what the max amp draw will be from the label (at least on branded ones) like this:

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Mine is a smaller laptop drive, and i know it does not pull more than 300mA at any load.

The image above i posted is a frame from a video i made while the disk was doing random read, and i took the frame that has highest current draw.

Larger disks can use much more power, so it will depend on your use case. A 3A adapter is more than enough for a full size spinning hdd. 2A is more than enough for a small laptop drive, sdd or usb stick.

Johnex · 2022-07-01T10:52:52.530Z

Also keep in mind when using a smaller power adapter. The lower rating it has, and the more amps you pull, the hotter and more stressed it will be. If you are using a cheap china brick it might even be overspeced, and you come a gutser.

If you decide to go with a 2A adapter and you are running it at 1.9A constantly, it will be super hot and might die very fast. I like to always add 1A or so headroom when it comes to power conversion (even DC to DC).

If you will be running the router at home, use the included adapter.

If you decide to use another adapter and something happens or you have data loss or something else, it was at your own risk

elorimer · 2022-07-01T18:43:12.069Z

Also, there has been a big effort to bring the little externals within the 500ma spec of USB2 so you don’t have to have the Y plug anymore. The bigger capacity 2.5/1.8 drives are usually USB3, so you can’t tell, but if you have a USB2 drive without a Y cable, you should be in good shape.

bigbadwolf · 2022-07-22T01:17:12.431Z

Ravpower PD Pioneer 65W, works from USB-A ports on the charger while my laptop is hooked on USB-C output

NomadTony · 2022-07-23T18:33:39.036Z

Does it stay on if you plug/unplug other devices from the charger? Or does it reboot if you do that. (ie device being plugged in or out of the RAVPower charger. Thanks!

bigbadwolf · 2022-07-23T21:56:26.665Z

router didn’t restart upon connecting/disconnecting laptop from the USB-C port

y2kbug · 2022-07-25T08:08:55.258Z

I would suggest Glinet to use USB-PD for future models.

beniamin · 2022-08-03T13:32:23.469Z

I would love PD. With how much space there is in these mini routers now it shouldn’t be too hard to solder one in place. They’re very tiny.

elorimer · 2022-08-03T15:11:56.118Z

y2kbug:

I would suggest Glinet to use USB-PD for future models.

Why? PD is really for batteries.

y2kbug · 2022-08-03T15:34:28.143Z

Couldn’t USB-PD be used for power supply as if USB 5A 1A or 2A? I really don’t know.

elorimer · 2022-08-03T16:32:02.319Z

PD starts with 5v 3a, and then can negotiate up to 20v 5a if the cable, charger and device support it. But the USB3 A port is only ever going to be 5v. The point of PD is really to charge batteries faster than the USB3 spec supports.

alzhao · 2022-08-04T04:20:49.554Z

PD power adapter can surely be used to power the router.

The only problems is that, as @elorimer said, PD is designed to charge batteries faster. So it will talk with the device (e.g. phone) to find out the correct output. This will cause short power cut. While this is not a problem of batteries, it could cause the router reboot.

So PD power adapter be used to power the router, but it may cut power sometimes causing the router reboot.