When I work on electronics at my bench, I always use a steady power supply. It gives me the exact voltage I need. But the moment I need to take a project outside, I run into the same old problem. How do I power it? A regular power bank only gives out five volts, which isn't always enough for some of my components and projects. I found myself needing different voltages and more flexibility without carrying a lot of extra hardware. That's what led me to look for a better portable power solution and I found it in the PocketPD and the advancements in USB power delivery.
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PocketPD and the PPS standard
Before building anything, I had to understand how I could get more than just 5 volts from a USB charger. Most modern chargers can actually change their output, but only if the device connected to them knows how to ask. This is where the PPS standard comes in, which allows the charger to deliver a smooth and adjustable voltage instead of fixed steps.
The PocketPD is the tool that makes this possible for me. I plug it into a compatible charger and it shows me exactly what voltage options are available. If the charger supports PPS, I can slowly adjust the voltage up or down and set it to what my project needs, like 7 volts or 11 volts, without any extra converters.
What I like about the PocketPD is how simple it feels to use. It stays cool, it’s small, and it lets the charger handle all the power regulation. I just select the voltage I want, turn it on, and I have a clean and adjustable power source ready for my project.
Building Battery Adapters
A common power source that we almost all have are tool batteries, and I wanted to turn my existing tool batteries into a usable power source. These batteries already store a lot of energy, so it made sense to use them instead of buying something new. I started by using a simple battery adapter that slides onto the battery and gives me access to the positive and negative terminals.
To make a solid electrical connection, I used small metal tabs that slide into the battery contacts. Before soldering anything, I scratched the metal a bit so the solder would stick properly. I took my time here because a loose connection can cause problems later. Once the tabs were in place, I soldered wires to them and checked the polarity with a meter to make sure I didn’t mix up positive and negative.
After confirming the wiring, I secured everything with a generous amount of glue so the tabs wouldn’t move when plugging the battery in and out. This step is important because tool batteries can deliver a lot of current, and I didn’t want anything shifting or shorting by accident. I kept the exposed wire ends covered until I was ready to connect them to the board.
Next, I connected the battery wires to a USB PD converter board. This board takes the battery voltage and presents it as a USB power source that understands modern power standards. I mounted the board inside a small 3D printed case to protect it and keep things neat. I had to trim a small part of the case so the soldered wires would fit properly, but after that, everything slid into place nicely.
Once everything was inside the case, I routed the wires carefully and added the cover. I made sure the USB port lined up correctly so plugging in a cable would feel solid. After gluing the module in place, I repeated the same process for a second battery adapter so I could swap batteries easily in the field.
In the end, I had a universal battery adapter that turns my tool batteries into a portable power source. I can now plug in the PocketPD or charge other devices without worrying about wall power. It took a bit of patience, but the result is a compact and reliable setup that I can carry anywhere.
Testing the Portable Power Supply Setup
After everything was assembled, I moved on to testing to make sure the setup actually worked as expected. I connected the battery to the adapter and plugged the PocketPD into the USB output. As soon as it powered on, I could see the display come to life, which was a good first sign that the battery and converter board were doing their job.
I started by selecting the adjustable mode and setting a safe voltage. I used a meter to double check the output, just to be sure what I was seeing on the screen matched reality. The readings were very close, which told me the system was stable and reliable enough for real projects. Turning the output on and off felt instant, and the voltage dropped cleanly to zero when disabled.
To test it under load, I connected a small LED strip and slowly increased the voltage. I watched how the current changed as the voltage went up, and everything behaved as expected. There was a slight drop from the set voltage under load, but nothing concerning for field use. For powering projects, this setup proved to be more than good enough.
By the end of the test, I was confident I could rely on this power supply outside the workshop. I can set a voltage, power a project, and shut it down safely when I’m done. For something built in an afternoon, it feels like a solid and practical tool that I’ll keep using.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
After using this setup for a bit, I can say it solves a problem I kept running into with portable projects. I’m no longer stuck with fixed 5 volts, and I don’t have to carry a bench power supply just to test something outside. Having adjustable power from a tool battery feels freeing and practical.
This kind of build doesn’t need special parts or advanced skills, but it does reward careful work. Taking the time to check polarity, secure the connections, and keep the wiring neat makes the whole thing safer and more reliable. Once it’s done, using it is simple and feels natural.
If you often work on electronics away from your desk, I honestly recommend building something like this. Pairing a tool battery with a PocketPD gives you a flexible power source that fits in a bag and just works when you need it. It quickly becomes one of those tools you wonder how you worked without.
If you enjoyed this walkthrough and want to see more projects like this, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful. I’ll be making more practical builds like this, and I’d love to have you along for the next one.
Tools and materials for portable power
- 65WPD Module - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4Kmx9i5
- 100WPD Module - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3urTZPf
- 100W Power Bank Module - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3fXS8At
- PPS Power Bank - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2vg5hSH
- 140W GaN PPS Power Adapter - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2vV0Mn7
- Bench Power Supply - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2IYH9bX
- Digital Multimeter - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3BAizjf
- Solder Station - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3rYFoxL
- Portable Power Supply - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3CWx8rT
3D models used in the project:
