We’ve recently covered Cambrionix PowerPad 15S, a high-end 16-port USB hub that can deliver 5V/2.1A on each port, integrates power monitoring function, and an API to control and monitor each port individually. That’s a very cool device, but it’s also expensive at around $600, and even the cheaper PowerPad 15C without data pins, come at $200. If you don’t need the complete set of features offered by Cambrionix devices, but you’ll like to get a reliable multi-port USB charger with power monitoring function, HDFury Universal PSU Doctor could be an interesting option.
HDFury Universal PSU Doctor specifications:
- MCU – Renesas RL78 16-bit MCU
- USB – 3x USB ports with 2x 5V ports up to 5V/2.14A, 1x USB QC 2.0 port supporting 5V/2.14A, 9V/1.6A or 12V/1.2A output
- ADC – Up to 11 channels, 10-bit resolution for power monitoring
- Sensor – n-chip temperature sensor
- Power Supply
- Built-in 100 ~ 240V AC with US, EU, UK plug types (Sorry Australian readers).
- Ripple and Noise: 80mV
- Efficiency: 80%
- Power Consumption @ 5V?
- Stop – RAM retained: 0.23 μA; LVD enabled: 0.31 μA
- Snooze – 0.7 mA (UART), 1.20 mA (ADC)
- Operating: 63 μA /MHz
- Dimensions – 8.9 x 5.3 x 4.2 cm.
- Weight – 142g
- Certifications – Rohs, CE and FCC (no UL / ETV / TUV?)
The first two USB ports (1 & 2) can handle 5V, and the first one can connect to a smartphone audio jack to report the voltage, current, and power for all three USB ports. The third port also supports Quick Charge 2.0.
Power monitoring is done through DrPSU app available for Android and iOS, but note that it’s expected to work only on branded smartphones such as Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi, Apple… and obviously this feature won’t work on the most recent models without an headphone jack since it is required. The app cannot control the USB port individually, for example to turn them on and off, it only displays the data. The video below demonstrates well how it all works.
HDFury Universal PSU Doctor is sold for $59 with free shipping on HDfury website. There’s a 5-year warranty, but you’d have to return the charger to China, and I could not find the warranty’s terms and conditions.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Countdown till someone has modded an ESP8266 to receive and provide the measurements via WiFi!
@Mum
Negative countdowns? Just do a web search for ‘ina219 esp8266’ and you’re done 😉
@tkaiser
You’d still need to get a power supply, three ina219 boards, one ESP8266 board, and 3D print your own case to reproduce such setup.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
One INA219 would be enough for me but I want the data in a real monitoring system (database included) and not on a smartphone using the ‘DrPSU HDFury’ app.
Hehe, just realized that I already bought one Adafruit INA219 last year (though no idea where I put it). According to their product description 4 different I2C addresses can be ‘programmed’ with a solder iron. Same applies to the cheap stuff on Aliexpress (just had a look, you get a bundle of 5 for less than $11)