Use USB-C PD to power non-USB-C devices with VFLEX - My Thoughts

Disclosure of Material Connection: Thanks to Werewolf for the free products. I was not required to write a review and did not give the company a chance to review my blog post prior to posting it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently ran across a giveaway on Reddit ( r/UsbcHardware ) for a product called VFLEX.  For the giveaway, they were giving one of the "base" units and a DIY adapter - you just had to pay shipping which I was happy to do.  I reached out to the company and they decided to throw in some extra items.

So first, let's get to the main product.  There are two key aspects:

• VFLEX Base: A small adapter that basically negotiates the voltage you ask it to using the USB-C Power Delivery (PD) protocol.  Of course this means the power source, the VFLEX base and the power supply have to support the voltage you are requesting.
• Adapter cable: The swappable cable can support many types of barrel plugs, and they have one with +/- level terminals for DIY situations.

Nifty little storage case with 3 base units

Various barrel plugs and the DIY adapter

So how did I test it?  Here was my generic approach:

• Using an Android app, I configured the target voltage on the base unit.  It seems other options (iOS, iPadOS, MacOS and web) are supported to configure the base unit.  Most of the devices I tested used 12V, but I did test other voltages.  
• I connected the VFLEX adapter (and a USB-C power/volt meter) to the power supply to confirm the correct voltage was negotiated.
• I connected the appropriate adapter cable to the base then plugged it into the device.

Below is the list of devices I tested and any notes

• GL-iNet Marble (GL-B3000) home wireless router
• GL-iNet Flint 3 (GL-BE9300) home wireless router
• Dell Latitude 5590
• The laptop requires 19.5V. While this voltage can technically be negotiated exactly using PPS (Programmable Power Supply), my specific power source was limited to fixed voltage rails, so I configured the VFLEX for 20V. While the VFLEX negotiated 20V successfully, the laptop limited current to ~1A. This seems to be a known Dell behavior; their laptops look for a proprietary signal from the original power brick’s ID pin. Without it, the laptop throttles charging speed as a safety measure. Verdict: Not a VFLEX limitation, but a Dell quirk to keep in mind.
• Fujitsu Lifebook E546
• BMAX B1 Mini (mini pc)
• 12V DC brushless fan (old PC case fan) at 5V and 12V using the DIY adapter
• External 2.5" USB HD enclosures ( Inateck FE2007 and one other model )
• Blood pressure monitor (which was handy because the batteries were dead and I didn't have spares handy)

BMAX B1 Mini PC

GL-iNet Flint 3 router running from a battery pack

Fan connected to the DIY adapter

Ultimately, I was able to power every device I tested with no issue.  While the Dell laptop test didn't pull enough current, it seems to be due to how Dell handles their power adapters so I don't see it as a VFLEX limitation.

So bottom line, the VFLEX product is a great way to use USB-C power for devices that don't normally use USB-C power.  Why would you need this?

• Reduce the amount of power bricks you take on travel or to remote work locations
• Power devices from your car (or USB battery bank)
• Replace damaged or missing power adapters

Also based on some high level research of my own, I wanted to share some insights on voltages you can get based on the USB PD protocol (but it also depends on what the power source allows).  I just focused on voltage but you also need to consider current for high current loads (seems 3A or lower is general supported).  Consider this unofficial and do your own research to verify as needed.  Always double-check your device’s requirements before plugging it in. Sending higher voltage than a device can support can result in a very bad day!

• USB PD 1.0 supports 5V, 12V and 20V
• USB PD 2.0 supports 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V
• 12V not required but optionally supported as a fixed voltage profile
• USB PD 3.0 supports 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V
• (Optional) 12V fixed voltage profile
• (Optional) Programmable Power Supply (PPS) supports 3.3V to 21V
• USB PD 3.1 supports 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V
• (Optional) 12V fixed voltage profile
• (Optional) PPS supports 3.3V to 21V
• (Optional) Extended Power Range (EPR) adds 28V, 36V and 48V.  EPR with Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) can support a range from 15V to whatever max is supported (28V/36V/48V) based on current.

Remember, the information above is just on the protocol you will need to check the specifications of your specific source to determine what it can support.  Also, it is important to note that any device you connect will get 5V power until the correct voltage is negotiated (or it will stay at 5V) but most devices can handle undervoltage.

This is a full list of what was sent to me:

• VFLEX Starter Kit
• 9 different adapter cables with various barrel plug sizes.
• Note: On their website you can buy multiple adapters in a pack (Adapter Pack 1 and Adapter Pack 2), but most of my devices used an adapter from Pack 1.
• 3 base units
• A super handy storage case with 2 compartments so the cables fit nicely in the bottom
• DIY Adapter
• A tiny 30W single port charger
• Supports 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V with a variable PPS range of 5V to 16V
• A dual port 70W charger which was way smaller than I expected
• Supports 5V/9V/12V/15V/20V with a variable PPS range of 5V to 11V
• 10000 mAh magnetic charging bank that works great on my Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Supports 5V/9V/12V with a variable PPS range of 5V to 12V

Battery pack on my Pixel 9 Pro XL with UAG magnetic case

Bottom line: If you’re looking to declutter your "drawer of random power bricks" or want a way to power non-USB devices from a USB-C PD source, the VFLEX is an elegant solution. Whether you’re a hobbyist using the DIY terminals or a traveler trying to pack light, this belongs in your tech bag.  Grab the base + DIY adapter giveaway option (if it is available) and toss in "Adapter Pack 1" as a good start or just go all-in with the VFLEX Starter Kit.

Werewolf page: https://werewolf.us/

VFLEX Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tundralabs/vflex

VFLEX + DIY Adapter: https://werewolf.us/products/vflex-diy-adapter

Synology Virtual DSM (vDSM) Setup

I recently purchased a Synology NAS ( model DS220+ ), check out my initial thoughts post for a background on why I got one.  When you purchase a DS220+, you get a free license to run a Virtual DSM.

As the name implies, the Virtual DiskStation Manager (vDSM) is a virtual DSM instance that you can run on your Synology NAS.  I will admit that I don't have a solid use case for a vDSM yet, so at this point I just want to set one up to try the process and have it available.  As a note, I have upgraded my DS220+ so I have a total of 10GB of RAM.

Here are the high level setup steps:

1. Install "Virtual Machine Manager" (VMM)
2. Run VMM, go through initial setup wizard.
3. In VMM, Create the image
1. Go to Image > DSM Image and click "Add" to create an image.
2. Click "Download Virtual DSM image" and download
3. Click Next, choose your host and click "Done"
4. The "Status" should start with "Downloading", wait until "Status" shows "Healthy"
4. In VMM, create the VM
1. Go to "Virtual Machine" > Create and choose "Synology Virtual DSM"
2. Recommend name it something like "vDSM", use 1 CPU and 2GB of ram.
3. For this test I just put 100GB for Virtual Disk 1 and use most of the defaults.
4. I left Autostart as "No", I am sure I can change it later.
5. Wait until "Status" shows "Powered off"
5. In VMM, start your VM
1. Click "Power on" for vDSM (or whatever you named it).
2. Choose "Use existing license" since your NAS includes 1 free license.
3. Once the status says "Running" wait until you see an IP assigned.
4. Go to ( http://<ip address>:5000/ )
5. Setup your new vDSM!

That is it.  You have a vDSM setup for whatever use case you come up with.  Some ideas I might try:

• Mirror my basic configuration to test production updates
• Test beta apps
• Isolate services that are open to the internet directly