Excellent new IKEA USB charger
Added 2023-04-09 05:13:35 +0000 UTCThanks to John for sending me some of these units. I expected them to be well built and they lived up to my expectations and then exceeded them with some really novel extra features.
Note that I measured a capacitor in circuit and got a weirdly high 47nF value which seemed wrong for the location. I subsequently took it out of circuit and it measures at around 22pF which is much better.
The video is a bit deep, so it may be too long for some people. I may make an additional shorter version and may also release a "short" for those with an even lower attention span.
It took me a LONG time to trace this out and reverse engineer it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0yrCSD3FAM
Comments
As someone who started in electronics in the '80s, I'll never accept rectangles as resistors! Zig zags all the way!
Circuitmike
2023-04-12 22:30:58 +0000 UTCI'm cynical about whether many of the GaN chargers are actually what they claim to be. Theoretically, using a blue LED would tick the GaN box. I wonder what other components are being stressed in the new chargers due to the very high frequency of operation. Theoretically if the frequency is high enough they can replace the output electrolytic with a cluster of ceramic caps.
Big Clive
2023-04-11 01:26:11 +0000 UTCHave you had a chance to look at any GaN chargers, like Anker?
2023-04-10 22:29:52 +0000 UTCOops, missed that one. Will check - many thanks for letting me know!
Hagen
2023-04-10 13:25:58 +0000 UTCI have been using ikea usb chargers since your last review.
Dean Gross
2023-04-10 12:04:34 +0000 UTCInteresting video and full of information so the length is not an issue. Like a good movie you don’t want to end.
Dean Gross
2023-04-10 12:03:25 +0000 UTCNot sure about the standard IKEA lamps.
Big Clive
2023-04-10 06:08:55 +0000 UTCI've featured those kits, but modified for different effects.
Big Clive
2023-04-10 06:08:38 +0000 UTCThe do a version with a USB C connector and higher voltages.
Big Clive
2023-04-10 06:07:39 +0000 UTCLove this one. I feel a lot better using one of these 24/7 now. But it makes me wonder, are the basic LED bulbs from IKEA similarly well implemented, or are they being overdriven like most of the other bulbs you've torn down?
2023-04-10 00:09:54 +0000 UTCNice one, Clive.
Andrew Lavey
2023-04-09 20:47:18 +0000 UTCAfter building a DIY Radio kit from ICstation, I saw they sell LED bulb DIY kits: https://www.icstation.com/white-lamp-bulb-light-board-120pcs-leds-energy-saving-lamp-module-277v-with-base-p-12480.html
Hagen
2023-04-09 20:10:55 +0000 UTCThey indeed missed out on the USB-C connector. My standard to go connector these days is USB-C, also for chargers.
Frank
2023-04-09 16:55:40 +0000 UTCIt's interesting to see what the good devices are like for comparison for the others. Very nice! Thanks
Nani Isobel
2023-04-09 16:28:57 +0000 UTCNot all chargers on Amazon/eBay are cheap, no-name or knockoff, but I do agree that you need to be careful, especially with Amazon Marketplace sellers and eBay sellers. I only buy stock that is dispatched by and sold by Amazon, or stock from an official brand seller on eBay. Brands I recommend are Anker, Apple, Belkin, Spigen and Juicebitz. I’ve never had any issues with them.
Gadgetman
2023-04-09 14:47:24 +0000 UTCNice enough charger but it’s a pity it’s all USB-A sockets and no USB-C sockets which are increasingly needed for charging/fast-charging many devices. USB-C has been mandated by the EU to be on all mobile devices by 2024 and laptops by 2026 in the EU.
Gadgetman
2023-04-09 14:06:29 +0000 UTC
