Improper assembly or using low-quality components may cause fire, electric shock, or device damage.
- Ensure all parts are rated for the required voltage and current.
- Double-check connections and polarity.
- Test thoroughly with a multimeter before use.
Proceed at your own risk.
The PowerBrickRevive repurposes an old laptop power brick into a modern charger that supports both QC 3.0 and QC 4.0 fast charging protocols. It achieves this by connecting pre-made modules in parallel, enabling compatibility with multiple protocols through a single power source.
This environmentally friendly project is easy to build, requiring minimal tools and no custom circuit boards.
- Simultaneous support for older and newer device charging protocols.
- DIY-friendly with pre-made modules and standard connectors.
- Environmentally conscious by reusing old electronics.
- Includes a 3D-printed enclosure for safety and aesthetics.
- QC 3.0 Fast charge module.
- QC 4.0 Fast charge module.
- Female 5.5 mm barrel jack.
- Male 5.5 mm barrel jack.
- Old laptop power brick (65W).
- Connecting wire (rated for 5A).
- 3D-printed enclosure (files included in the repository).
- Heat-shrink tubing or electrical tape (for insulation).
- Glue gun.
- Super glue.
- Soldering iron and solder (optional but recommended for secure connections).
- Gather all components.
- Identify the positive (V+) and negative (GND) terminals on the old laptop power brick wires.
- Securely connect the positive wire from the female barrel jack to the input positive terminal (VIN+) on both QC 3.0 and QC 4.0 modules.
- Connect the negative wire from the female barrel jack to the input negative terminal (VIN−) on both QC 3.0 and QC 4.0 modules.
- Ensure both modules are connected in parallel. This means their inputs share the same positive and negative connections.
- Double-check the polarity to avoid damage to connected devices.
- Cut the old jack connector from the laptop charger.
- Strip the wires and identify the positive and negative connections (use a multimeter if needed).
- Connect the male connector to the output wires from the charger, matching polarity.
- Print the provided 3D enclosure files.
- Adjust scaling if needed to account for shrinkage during printing.
- Place the modules, female barrel jack connectors, and wiring into the enclosure.
- Use a glue gun to secure the modules in place.
- Use super glue to properly secure the female barrel jack at the top of the enclosure.
- Secure all components inside and close the enclosure. (Optional: You can shut it using super glue.)
- Use a multimeter to verify voltage levels at the female barrel jack output.
- Connect a device supporting QC 3.0 or QC 4.0 to test the charger functionality.
- Module dimensions may vary between batches, so some adjustment might be needed in the 3D enclosure.
- Ensure proper insulation for all connections to prevent short circuits.
This project is open-source and distributed under the MIT License. Contributions and feedback are welcome!