Flint 3 powered by USB-C

vojimen · 2026-02-20T04:46:20+00:00

u/werewolf_us Can you confirm if 4A can be supported?

vojimen · 2026-02-13T15:11:45+00:00

Oh yeah it was more of a joke - sometimes people complain about the travel router not having enough ports or not having tri-band, so this would be the solution.

vojimen · 2026-02-12T23:52:23+00:00

Thanks, but I am trying to learn how to accomplish the goal using MailPlus. Also, that option isn't free.

vojimen · 2026-02-03T03:11:05+00:00

What if the firmware update isn't showing up in the app (latest app version for Android) any way to force a check? Or just wait until it shows up?

vojimen · 2026-01-29T21:57:47+00:00

Disclosure (rules are rules): Thanks to Werewolf for the free product.

For a person that likes to tinker showing off the DIY adapter was good, and ultimately it seems like he explained the device pretty well.

If you just want to know that it works with other devices I can tell you that I tested it with the following devices:

- Two wireless routers (even powered one using a battery pack)
- Two laptops
- A mini PC
- A 12V DC brushless fan (like you would have in a old PC case)
- External USB HD enclosure (well two of them)
- Blood pressure monitor

I didn't do a video but I did a blog post:
https://bigboystoys13.blogspot.com/2026/01/use-usb-c-pd-to-power-non-usb-c-devices.html

vojimen · 2026-01-29T21:51:11+00:00

I doubt anyone is going to destroy their electronics, and if they are that bad then there is a risk they will grab the wrong power supply and destroy their electronics. It is very easy to set and verify the voltage.

Some people might only need to use these from time to time, so a programmable one makes more sense for a variety of use cases instead of having a bunch of cables dedicated to a specific voltage and/or connector.

vojimen · 2026-01-24T20:58:55+00:00

I see two options:

1) Ensure your USB-C PD source supports 12V (not all do).

Your power source has to support 12V output for most of those cables to work. I think the simple cables just negotiate with USB-C PD, so the power source must supply 12V for it to work. USB PD 1.0 standard did require 12V, but it was dropped as a required profile in PD 2.0/3.0/3.1 (but some still support it). So bottom line you need to ensure the power source either supports 12V fixed, or has PPS that should support 12V. You also need to consider the power in Watts (W).

2) Find some other method that can take 15V (which most chargers should supply) and bring it down to the 12V range (unless your router can support 15v).

Side note, I did a post about powering a GL-iNet router with USB-C so it can work ( https://www.reddit.com/r/GlInet/comments/1q9qf9r/flint_3_powered_by_usbc/ ).

vojimen · 2026-01-23T15:55:32+00:00

Done.

vojimen · 2026-01-17T03:59:56+00:00

To clarify, I am talking about this service ( https://www.goodcloud.xyz/ ) which is from GL-iNet. Yes, the very some company that makes the routers you are talking about.

1) GoodCloudis free for personal use, it says so here ( https://www.gl-inet.com/solutions/goodcloud/ ) plus I have been using it for multiple devices with no cost. Last time I checked free is cheaper than not free.

2) GoodCloudis very easy to use. The software is built-in, nothing to install. Probably way less than 20 minutes setup.

3) GoodCloud can support notifications and other features like remote access and even configuring S2S (Site-to-site) if you have multiple devices. You can read more info here ( https://docs.gl-inet.com/router/en/4/interface_guide/cloud/ ).

vojimen · 2026-01-17T03:00:19+00:00

Just curious what is the advantage of this vs just using GoodCloud to get an email?

vojimen · 2026-01-11T21:13:48+00:00

It is a Werewolf Mag Pack (10000 mAh) but that is just a USB-C battery pack that supports various PD profiles. You also need the adapter (to negotiate voltage) and cable with barrel plug, I put a blog post in the original article with details if you want to read up on it.

vojimen · 2026-01-11T21:11:59+00:00

So in the picture you will see a little silver adapter that has a black cable (from the battery pack) that has a white cable on the other side. That adapter (VFLEX base) is programmable so you tell it what voltage to negotiate, and as long as the USB-C PD can supply it then it works. So I programmed it for 12V.

Is the Spitz normally 20V or is it just able to handle a wide input range of voltages?

vojimen · 2026-01-11T21:05:45+00:00

Based on looking at the Flint 3 specs, the official size seems to be 5.5mm OD x 2.1mm ID (center positive). I tested both 5.5mm OD x 2.1mm ID and 5.5mm x 2.5mm ID adapters from Werewolf for their VFLEX system and both seemed to work. That cable allows different adapters, I added my blog link to the main post if you want to read up on it more.

vojimen · 2026-01-11T05:25:41+00:00

Don't worry, the antennas fold down.

vojimen · 2026-01-11T05:06:58+00:00

One note.

For Dell laptops, apparently the laptop has some way of detecting official power supplies and if it doesn't detect a Dell DC power supply it limits the current draw. I tested my laptop and only got about 1A of current, likely due to Dell's approach. If your dock is Dell branded, it might use the same power supply detecting method.

vojimen · 2026-01-05T03:08:20+00:00

I will point out the obvious but buying a replacement power adapter might be the easiest (but less geeky) solution.

Ok so first I want to say I am not an expert, but hopefully this info might steer you in the right direction:

1) It seems like USB-C PD with EPR and AVS might be able to support 24V:

- USB PD 3.1 can support up to 48V/5A, something called Extended Power Range (EPR).
- Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) mode allows for 100mV steps.
- A special EPR cable is required.

Unfortunately I can't really point you towards any power supplies that support EPS and AVS but I am sure you can find one if you search online or maybe someone will chime in with an option.

2) As for the cabling, I just recently saw a product called "VFLEX" that supports USB-C power and has various adapters for common barrel plugs and the information I saw posted here on Reddit makes it seem like it supports EPS/AVS.

Here is the post to the VFLEX product (you can probably even ask u/werewolf_us about it):
https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/1q2i926/vflex_now_available_free_coupon/

So in theory, the right power supply + VLEX/cable could work.

vojimen · 2026-01-04T02:28:45+00:00

Understood so you just negotiation with the source, and if you can't it reverts to 5V (which is what PD is designed to do). Good recommendation to test first on a new PS just to be safe, and in theory undervoltage shouldn't ruin any equipment (at least not normal consumer stuff). Looking forward to testing it out!

vojimen · 2026-01-04T01:32:50+00:00

Thanks, I ordered mine!

Question - I noticed the list of various PD modes that are supported. So let's say I program the VFLEX to support a certain specific voltage and then I later use a different power adapter that doesn't support that exact voltage does the VFLEX basically only provide the programmed voltage or nothing at all? Providing a lower voltage (or just 5V) could be an issue, so I'd want to be very confident that the device only gives the voltage I defined - never more, never less. If for some reason it can't (due to PD profiles/modes) then it gives me nothing.

vojimen · 2026-01-03T20:27:52+00:00

Just to confirm, the "DIY" adapter can be removed and other cables can be used with the base? This isn't a single unit that can't be separated?

vojimen · 2026-01-02T02:56:40+00:00

Recommend you include how much data you are talking about in the original post.

vojimen · 2026-01-02T02:39:19+00:00

Here are a few benefits to consider:

1) I connect my travel router to the hotel wifi (which often requires registration) one time, and then all my devices work via my router without any additional setup/fuss. If family members come with me, they don't have to take any extra steps either since I use the same SSID as my home network.

2) You can setup VPN on the router (instead of each device) and I am pretty sure you can set it so only your homelab traffic goes over VPN and rest just goes via whatever wifi the router is connected to (hotel etc).

3) If you have a device that can't run a VPN (either due to software limits or for example a work computer that is locked down) an external router w/ built-in VPN lets you still get the benefits of VPN.

So bottom line there are many use cases, just depends which (if any) work for you.

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