USB-C PD power splitter

Name: USB-C PD power splitter
SKU: 28441
Price: 9.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.47 (8 reviews)

(8 Reviews)

Splits USB-PD signals and USB-2.0 data signals into two separate physical connectors

Sold By Essence Engineering

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2022-11-01T07:39:26.808Z-splitter_front.jpg

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2023-05-23T20:14:07.433Z-splitter_front dimensions..jpeg

2023-05-23T20:14:07.433Z-splitter_z_dimensions.jpg

$9.00

On A Break

Splits USB-PD signals and USB-2.0 data signals into two separate physical connectors

What is it? As more and more products adopt USB-C connectors to take advantage of the expanded PD (power delivery) protocol, this little handy board will be essential to your hacking. It allows a US…

What is it?

As more and more products adopt USB-C connectors to take advantage of the expanded PD (power delivery) protocol, this little handy board will be essential to your hacking. It allows a USB-C PD capable device to be simultaneously powered by a USB-C PD power brick AND talk USB-2.0 data with a laptop or other USB host.

For the powering the device:

cc1 and cc2 signals are connected between J1 (power input) and P1 (output to device) -- meaning the device can negotiate the appropriate power profile under the USB-PD standard.

For data connection to the device:

Dp and Dn sginals are connected between J2 (host data input) and P1 (output to device) -- enabling USB-2.0 data connection between host and device.

Why did you make it?

This was definitely a case of "necessity is the mother of invention".

While doing hardware development on the Wisdom Truffle, I needed to test the USB-PD capability of the device while keeping the data connection to my laptop. After scouring the internet and not finding anything, I asked the factory to make some based on my schematics.

These little boards have been essential in the development process for all the firmware engineers as well.

What makes it special?

As typical USB-C host ports that also talks data only supports 5V output, your device can't draw more than 15W (5V * 3A). But with this splitter board in between, your device can negotiate any USB-PD power configuration independent of the data connection.

IMPORTANT NOTE

If you're not getting power or data through the splitter board to the device, try rotating each of the usb-c cable 180 degrees in turn until it works. Some devices do not have both rows of contacts inside the usb-c connector wired up so this silly work around is sometimes necessary.

Recommended debugging process:

a. Confirm cables carry data and power by

connecting PD power source directly to your device and confirming power transmission
connecting USB data host directly to your device and confirming data connection

b. Connect USP-PD source to J1 and your device to P1; rotate J1 and/or P1 until power transmission is confirmed

c. Connect USB data host to J2, if data is not connected, rotate J2 connector.

*mobile phones may not enable data connection if power input is not present. *

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (3.75)

Shipping: (4.38)

Communication: (4.75)

Joshua | June 7, 2024

Works perfectly!

This works perfectly and is exactly what I was looking for. I have a carpuride unit that I use so that I didn't have to spend a lot of money on a head unit; but of course, it doesn't do much in the way of charging when plugged in. This solves that issue entirely! You have to make sure the two input cables are the same orientation otherwise you'll have some issues with it working but other than that its great!

Dylan | April 1, 2024

Works as intended

This works as intended with my Pixel 6a / Pi 4b running TeslaAndroid (Acting as Android Auto Headunit).
Had to fiddle with the orientation of the USB C cables, but after the right orientation it is working no problem. Product seems to be quality, didn't seem cheap or flimsy / bad soldering. No documentation besides the picture on the page, (not a big deal to me but just going to mention it). Seller was responsive. thank you!

Joseph | Feb. 19, 2024

Fast Charging for Wired Apple CarPlay - This is the solution

Bought this intending to route CarPlay data through one side of the board and a USB-C PD charger into the power input side of the board. This worked flawlessly and allowed me to overcome the biggest problem with wired CarPlay - the slow charging. Would recommend this board to anyone else attempting the same.

Did not engage in any communication with the seller, and the documentation was slight, so I can't speak to those ratings, but it's a simple straightforward product so I don't need to. 5 stars all around, you won't find a cheaper, better, or simpler solution from what I've seen.

Marco | Jan. 16, 2024

Works as stated

I tried using different USB C splitters claiming they can separate power and data but only one worked in practice. This device actually does this. I have tested it with my Oneplus 7T and a JVC and Joying head units and both read the data as the phone charges. The best way to achieve this was to first connect the power cable and designated data cable to the adapter, AND THEN to the phone. Any other order and it'll just read one or none.

Overall I'm satisfied, thank you!

Dan | Nov. 17, 2023

Very picky on cable alignment

The other reviewer wasn't kidding that you need to find the correct 'alignment' for the USB-C cables for this to work; I was just about to give up hope and conclude that this device wasn't going to work with an iPhone and then all of a sudden found the right combination of cable alignments and it sprung into life.

I paid an absolutely outrageous price of $35.00 international shipping on a $9.00 order that still took two weeks to arrive from the US to UK, but I've not been able to find anything else that passes through USB PD so reluctantly paid the price.

Response from Essence Engineering | Nov. 27, 2023

Always appreciate feedback. Glad you got it working! As I noted in the description, not all USB cables are built the same so testing with different orientations of cables you have on hand is often necessary. A note about international shipping prices (from US): Definitely sucks that I can't do Amazon style cheap shipping for all the DIYers out there but I only list what usps charges with minimum adder to cover shipping material.

Paul | Nov. 13, 2023

works great

Works amazing. You have to flip the USB C plugs to find the right alignment, but once found, it works great

Response from Essence Engineering | Nov. 27, 2023

Awesome!

Jake | May 22, 2023

Works Great

I like having the ability to plug my phone into my computer. I am now able to get Fast Charging on my Note 20 and also have a USB data connection. Neat!

Now, all this board needs is a 3-D printed case to go along with it and it would be perfect. Any way we can get an .stl file to be able to 3D print cases for these? Thanks!

Makoto | May 8, 2023

Working well with Samsung Galaxy S22 and Android Auto

In my Nissan Maxima, the AV unit's USB port only supplies 500mA of charging current which is not enough to charge up my Galaxy S22. I also have a separate fast charger with USB-C PD output. I wanted a way to fast charge my phone while having a data connection to my car so that I can use Android Auto. I originally tried a USB hub but that didn't work. Then I found this device on tindie, got it within a couple of days and plugged it in. To my disappointment, it didn't work. However, I decided to give it another try with a different set of 1-foot long USB-C cables and to my pleasant surprise it worked! I did have to flip the cables around until I figured out the right orientation. USB-C is supposed to work in either orientation but that unfortunately isn't the case with this power splitter however since it's a one time setup it's not a big deal.
While this is a very simple board that only consists of a couple of resistors and USB ports, it does the job that I need it to do and is valuable to me.

Response from Essence Engineering | May 8, 2023

So glad it worked for you! Due to the variation in USB-C cable internal connections (some don't have USB2.0 data connected, some only have power negotiation connected) one may have to play around and try a few configurations to make it work. Thanks for leaving a detailed review too! :D

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$9.00