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2A DC / DC buck converter test with regulation and voltage and current display

TechEkspert  31 9462 Cool? (+4)
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TL;DR

  • A DC/DC step-down converter module offers button-adjustable output voltage and output current measurement on a backlit LCD.
  • It accepts up to 23V input, with 20V recommended, and the output is adjustable from 0 to 16.3V.
  • The converter is rated for 2A output, with 3A allowed temporarily, and it comes with a transparent plexiglass housing.
  • It has no additional heatsinks beyond the board surface.
Soon on elektroda.pl there will be a DC / DC step-down converter module with output voltage adjustment by buttons and output current measurement. Measurements and settings are presented on the backlit LCD display. Maximum input voltage 23V (recommended 20V), output voltage adjustable in the range of 0-16.3V, maximum output current 2A (temporary 3A). The set includes a transparent plexiglass housing. The module has no additional heat sinks beyond the board surface.

Voltage settings

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Comments

szymon122 22 Mar 2018 20:42

The price and link to the website I would like to ask: p What systems is the device assembled on? Do you have a diagram? [Read more]

bubu1769 22 Mar 2018 20:42

And what is this battery indicator for? [Read more]

Adi123xd 22 Mar 2018 20:48

Please send me the link because I want to buy one myself [Read more]

mkpl 22 Mar 2018 20:54

More than 1Vpp of ripple at 5V is a massacre [Read more]

Krzysztof Kamienski 23 Mar 2018 01:09

I would like a link to buy, too :?: [Read more]

fred114 23 Mar 2018 06:48

Gotronik sells this wonder for PLN 36. [Read more]

hehehehuhuhu 23 Mar 2018 07:25

Just enter "LCD DC / DC buck 2A plexi case" on ebay.com [Read more]

Urgon 23 Mar 2018 07:52

AVE ... I have this module but I don't use it anymore. Lack of current limitation disqualifies it in workshop applications. In addition, the factory power connectors suck, I advise you to desolder... [Read more]

Szyszkownik Kilkujadek 23 Mar 2018 11:37

I join the question. Somebody knows? [Read more]

czareqpl 23 Mar 2018 12:01

In my opinion, after watching the oscillograms, this converter is not of good quality. With no load, ripple pk-pk 150mV and such pins, the converter probably shines well. I wonder if it meets EMC standards. ... [Read more]

dudik56 23 Mar 2018 12:31

Good for nothing, somewhere I saw a description of "that for future solutions" in advance :D [Read more]

Szyszkownik Kilkujadek 23 Mar 2018 13:53

Defeat. [Read more]

brofran 23 Mar 2018 17:40

A few weeks ago, there was also an inverter in GADGETS, but in my opinion it was much better, because it had an output voltage range of 0-30V, and output current adjustment. The only downside was the lack... [Read more]

TechEkspert 23 Mar 2018 18:57

@ szymon122 there is no diagram, the modules are e.g. here: https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/Diy-kit-DC-DC-adjustable-step-down-Regulated-power-supply-module-Belt-voltmeter-ammeter-Dual-Display/32805760120.html ... [Read more]

Urgon 23 Mar 2018 19:51

AVE ... The connectors are of extremely crap quality, February also did not hurt the ass. After the fourth time the wire fell out, I desoldered these connectors and fired. Now I do not use this power... [Read more]

krisRaba 23 Mar 2018 20:12

Maybe some sensible capacitor at the output would help? Just by the eye, after the photos (for spite all from the same angle ;) ), there is nothing specific there except a tiny MLCC. Maybe someone took... [Read more]

sylweksylwina 23 Mar 2018 23:37

With such ripples, I do not know what can be powered with it. Probably some kind of heater :P [Read more]

krisRaba 24 Mar 2018 10:35

Right out of the box, it's actually a drama. Maybe a matter of looking at what the executive system is and calculating the components. Maybe someone was counting on the knee parameters for a specific... [Read more]

nici 24 Mar 2018 10:37

Or a light bulb. I powered a raspberry pi of a similar construction with a converter (only without LCD, also ali). I was surprised, despite the 5A's performance, Rpi was able to freeze or project... [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: Bench tests show up to 1.5 Vpp ripple at 5 V/1 A (30 %)—“a massacre” [Elektroda, czareqpl, post #17122326] A simple 470 µF output cap cuts noise dramatically [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841] Module uses the MP2307 ‘mini-360’ buck core rated 23 V / 3 A [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841]

Why it matters: Knowing limits and fixes lets makers avoid burnt loads and noisy measurements.

Quick Facts

• Input range: 6 – 23 V (20 V recommended) [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17120828] • Adjustable output: 0 – 16.3 V, 2 A continuous, 3 A short-term [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17120828] • Measured ripple: 150 mVpp no-load, 1.5 Vpp at 1 A [Elektroda, czareqpl, post #17122326] • Price tag in PL: ~36 PLN incl. plexi case [Elektroda, fred114, post #17121821] • Controller IC: MP2307 320 kHz synchronous buck (‘mini360’) [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841]

Where can I buy the LCD 2 A buck module?

Sellers list the board as “LCD DC/DC buck 2A plexi case”. Search on AliExpress or eBay or use the Gotronik offer at about 36 PLN [Elektroda, fred114, #17121821; Elektroda, hehehehuhuhu, #17121843].

Which chip drives the converter?

The power stage is the MP2307 synchronous buck IC, commonly sold as the “mini-360” module, rated 23 V in, 3 A peak, 320 kHz switching [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841]

Why does the display show a battery icon?

The battery indicator is cosmetic. Firmware leaves the segments static under all conditions, so it conveys no real information [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17123195]

Can I reduce that ripple?

Yes. Replacing the tiny MLCCs with one 470 µF low-ESR cap (e.g., Panasonic NXH) cuts ripple sharply. Larger caps may help further, limited by ripple current rating [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841]

Quick 3-step fix for cleaner output?

  1. Desolder the two 22 µF 1206 MLCCs at Vout.
  2. Solder a 470 µF/16 V low-ESR electrolytic directly across Vout and GND.
  3. Retest ripple; expect >5× reduction [Elektroda, mkpl, post #17125841]

Is there any current limiting?

No active current limit exists. Exceeding 2 A or shorting the output can smoke the board, as several users observed [Elektroda, Urgon, post #17121867]

Why do users complain about the screw terminals?

Factory terminals have high contact resistance and weak solder joints. Wires detach after a few insertions; many users bypass them and solder leads directly [Elektroda, Urgon, post #17123318]

Safe to hang a large capacitor or battery on the output?

A large 4,700 µF cap or battery will back-drive the buck through the MP2307’s body diode. Add a series Schottky or MOSFET ideal-diode to block reverse current [Elektroda, wieswas, #17168746; MP2307 datasheet].

What input voltage should I really use?

Keep Vin ≤ 20 V. The MP2307’s absolute max is 23 V, but users report failures near that limit [Elektroda, TechEkspert, #17120828; Elektroda, mkpl, #17125841].

Can I recalibrate the voltage display?

Yes. Calibration constants live in the on-board STM8 firmware; a hidden menu allows trimming the reading without hardware mods [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #17126256]

Edge-case: will it power a Raspberry Pi reliably?

Tests with a similar LCD-less version caused Pi brown-outs and lightning-bolt icons despite 5 A rating, due to ripple and dropouts [Elektroda, nici, post #17124228]
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