• Compact black enclosure housing the PowerPole 12V to 5V USB-C converter, designed for efficient DC voltage conversion.
  • A compact printed circuit board (PCB) featuring a PowerPole connector for 12V DC input and a USB-C port for 5V/1A output, designed to efficiently convert 13.8V DC to 5V DC.
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RF Guru

PowerPole 12V PSU to 5V USB-C 1A

PowerPole 12V PSU to 5V USB-C 1A

€29,00 EUR
€29,00 EUR
Sale Sold out
Tax included.
Handmade in Belgium. Fulfilment times may vary depending on order volume. Please allow 1–2 weeks for assembly and shipping. If you would like a more precise estimate, feel free to contact us before ordering.

PowerPole 13.8V to USB-C 5V/1A Converter Board

Technical Overview: Compact DC-DC module that converts a standard 13.8V shack/mobile supply into a clean, regulated 5V USB-C source up to 1A. The design integrates reverse-polarity and over-current protection, a high-efficiency buck stage, LC filtering, and proper USB-C current advertisement on CC pins. Optimized for RF environments: ripple < 20 mVpp and radiated emissions < 10 dBµV peak.

Quick Highlights

  • Protected input: resettable fuse + reverse-polarity MOSFET + input LC filter
  • Low-noise output: buck regulation with multi-capacitor smoothing, ripple < 20 mVpp
  • USB-C source mode: correct CC resistors for standard Type-C device compatibility
  • Hotspot compatible: suitable for the RF.Guru Analog Hotspot / Transceiver that requires a 5V rail
  • Not for the 4G/LTE version: the 1A output is insufficient for the 4G/LTE Analog Hotspot Transceiver

Function

This board takes 12–14.8V DC, with 13.8V nominal, and outputs a stable 5V over USB-C at up to 1A. The protected input stage and low-EMI layout make it safe to use near sensitive receivers, hotspots, and embedded systems.

Included

  • Fully assembled and tested converter board
  • Pre-installed Anderson PowerPole PP45 connector

Applications

  • Powering low-power Raspberry Pi and Pico boards
  • Supplying 5V to Hotspot2 / Transceiver2 accessories that stay within the 1A limit
  • Charging/supplying small USB-C devices up to 1A
  • General 5V rails for embedded and lab setups

Compatibility

Works with any 13.8V DC source: ham-radio bench supplies and automotive systems, typically 12–14.8V nominal.

This converter is suitable for the RF.Guru Analog Hotspot / Transceiver when a clean 5V supply rail is required and the total load remains below 1A.

Important: this board is not suitable for the 4G/LTE Analog Hotspot Transceiver. The 4G/LTE version can draw higher peak currents because of the LTE modem, so a stronger 5V supply is required.

Schematic Highlights

  • Over-current & reverse-polarity protection: resettable fuse ahead of a high-side MOSFET protects against shorts and wrong-way wiring, followed by an input inductor/capacitor to tame line noise.
  • Buck regulation & enable: high-efficiency step-down stage with a low-leakage enable network; feedback divider set precisely for 5.00V output.
  • Output filtering: low-ESR capacitors and layout focused on short, low-impedance loops to reduce ripple and RF egress.
  • USB-C power out: CC pins use source-mode resistors to advertise available current per Type-C spec for broad device compatibility.

Performance Measurements

  • Ripple: < 20 mVpp at full 1A load
  • Radiated Emissions, 1–500 MHz: < 10 dBµV peak, compact TEM cell method

Technical Specifications

  • PCB Technology: ENIG, Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold
  • Compliance: RoHS
  • Input Voltage: 12–14.8V DC, 13.8V nominal
  • Output: 5V DC via USB-C, up to 1A
  • Protection: resettable fuse, reverse-polarity MOSFET, input LC filtering
  • Ripple: < 20 mVpp under load
  • Radiated Emissions: < 10 dBµV peak
  • Connector: Anderson PowerPole PP45, input
  • Design: Low-EMI, RF-safe for use near receivers
  • Suitable for: low-power 5V USB-C loads and RF.Guru Analog Hotspot / Transceiver accessories within the 1A limit
  • Not suitable for: RF.Guru 4G/LTE Analog Hotspot Transceiver

Tip: For USB-C devices that demand higher current, or for equipment with modem-related current peaks, use a stronger 5V supply instead of this 1A converter.

This converter is a reliable, low-noise way to power USB-C devices from a standard 13.8V source — ideal for the shack, mobile installs, and embedded benches where the 5V load remains within the 1A rating.

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