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Writer's pictureAngela Hart

How I converted my laptop to charge from a USB C PD cable


With the downtime that the Covid lockdown gave me, my thoughts turned to how I could lighten my bikepacking gear. I carry a notebook computer with me as I blog and vlog along the way. It’s heavy! Along with the laptop I need to carry the charging gear; a mains plug that has a thick mains lead, a power supply box and another lead with the jack plug that connects to the notebook.


I spent many weeks researching my options, I could get a mains plug with the power supply attached, that would save a few grams only, but that wasn’t enough. I knew that high-end laptops had charging via a USB C PD cable, I couldn’t afford a new computer, so I spent a further few weeks sourcing components to enable my Asus notebook to charge via USB C PD.


Please note that if you purchase any items from the product links below I could receive a commission from Amazon


To see my YouTube on this subject click here


Considerations

· Laptop input – 19V 45W 2.37A

· Emulator – 20V 3A max

· Joining lead – 60-100W input 18-29V output

· Laptop connector – 2.5mm Jack

Stage 1

I needed to find an emulator that would convert the USB C PD output into something my Asus would accept. At one end it needed to connect to my computer, at the other end it needed to be a USB C male plug or female socket that I could connect a USB C male connector. I couldn’t find an emulator lead that had the correct jack plug but I found one with a larger jack plug, luckily I had a set of jack plug adapters (details listed below), one of which I knew would connect to the jack plug on the emulator lead. The other end being a USB C female socket.



Stage 2

I searched for a wall adapter that had a USB C PD output, if the adapter could also have some USB A outputs, I wouldn’t need to take my multi-plug charger bikepacking either. Eventually I settled for the Tommox multi-output wall charger.


Stage 3

I needed a lead to join the emulator and the wall charger, so needed a male USB C to male USB C lead, as both the wall charger and the emulator had female USB C sockets. There is a specific lead for carrying the USB C PD output, so make sure you don’t use a normal USB C cable.



Caution!


· It’s important to note that not all USB C devices like to be charged via a high-output USB C PD


· You need to be aware that the components I sourced are suitable for the input of my laptop.

· If you decide to carry out this conversion, it will be necessary for you to research the specific input

requirements for your laptop.

· Do not blindly buy what I have bought, do your research.

· You carry out this conversion at your own risk, be aware it could invalidate your laptop’s warranty …..

or blow it up!!


I have been using the above components for around four months now, without a problem. It only cost me around £60 in total!


Good luck!

1,300 views1 comment

1 comentário


Convidado:
05 de mai. de 2022

Awewsome, will try!

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