LM2596 Constant Voltage / Constant Current Module!

Taking a look at this beautiful little module from EBay! This thing cost under 2$ CAD and has the unique ability to both control current and voltage for use in such situations as charging a lithium-ion battery or driving a high power led!
The video I took a lot of info from was:
• TUTORIAL: About & How ...
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s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AXwVFP
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[@steffennielsen3304]

watched the first 17 minutes to figure out what the 3rd pot was for.. still better than the lacking datasheets around. Great stuff!

[@rvanhauw]

I can send you a circuit diagram if you like

[@Abel-fl6sg]

@@rvanhauw I WOULD LOVE IT.

[@doge5603]

Thanks for the review, I'm gonna use this module with a 10w solar panel and a 12.6v 4400mAh li-ion battery pack I made out of salvaged cells from a dead laptop battery, hope it'll work.

[@murraymadness4674]

I have a few of these, and they were failing to power a 5v powered lcd controller, it would just cycle on/off. When i used a regular one it worked. I have used them to charge batteries, so they seem to work, but I think the current limiting chops the voltage when there is surge of current from the startup of the lcd controller, which makes it reboot. I even tried adding a big capacitor to the output to avoid this, but it did not fix it.

[@muflatu]

you are clumsy and make me laugh. i appreciate you didn't cropped the video :)

[@paigdyll]

Hello I have a grow light I'm trying to add a dimmer to. I put one in and the panel started to flicker. I assume it was adjusting voltage and not the current. It is a 120w , 100-240vac, 1.0A 120v/.5A 240v. Can I use this to control the dimmer as a current control but leave voltage the 24vdc for the board

[@pileofstuff]

I think that's the same buck module that I used for my drill charger

[@Luke-san]

Here's me yelling at my screen at 18:50 that your meter plugs are still in the current measurement position. Wise thing to always remove directly remove them after measurement. I have blown up some nice stuff forgetting it. Also not to sure about those potmeters and charging Li-Ion batts. There is so much tolerance due to vibration, temperature changes etc. I would rather use a module dedicated to do this with no trim pots or one where you can set it via buttons.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Li-ion batteries are way more tolerant than you think, if you check the output voltage on some cheap chargers that come with household devices like vacuums and the like, they sometimes output 4.3v/cell - not saying it's a good idea, but they seem to not blow up!

[@Luke-san]

@@SimpleElectronics Well most battery packs have some sort of inbuilt protection pcb but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've had a battery explode at my parents house like 30 years ago due to overvoltage, The I will just place a resistor in series so it will be fine idea. Due to handling of my cool mother the place didn't burn down. Also nowadays I only charge those batts when I am at home, and if weather permits it outside in the shade. Lately I don't even tend to charge them to 100% since that seems to wear them down a lot faster. So if I was using a PCB like that I would even limit them to 4 Volts.

[@SimpleElectronics]

@@Luke-san I'm with you! Always better safe than sorry, I'm just saying, it would probably work just fine, either way! I would be reluctant to give you to an outsider - like my parents - for permanent use though, they don't understand the dangers fully, no matter how much I try explaining...perhaps it's time I design my own charging board that charges to 4.1v/cell and cuts off at 3.8v so I can be confident when I gift something? Hmmmm....

[@VBV4EAL]

hey can i step up the current if it is in its range of given voltage

[@SimpleElectronics]

yes you can, but be warned, current is not pushed by the source, it is pulled by the load!

[@IonutIonut-sc6go]

Putt link below for product !!!thanks!!!

[@HeyHerdy]

hey i have this exact same module, i got it so i can power a small 5v ardino, however mine is just giving me 0 volts no matter what, have any ideas on what might be wrong?

[@SimpleElectronics]

Make sure you have good and clean connections, what is your voltage in?

[@HeyHerdy]

@@SimpleElectronics 12Vin and im using aligator clips to get my connection going, i did the same thing with another power supply no problem

[@SimpleElectronics]

@@HeyHerdy Then I would say your module is dead :(

[@HeyHerdy]

@@SimpleElectronics Yeah i figured, something always has to go wrong with my projects D:< thanks anyway!

[@svsv9]

Can I reduce to 10mA constant with this module? I am done with LM317.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Yes you can!

[@MagnumPopeye]

Watched about 4 videos on this buck converter.. Still no one has said if once the voltage cut off is reached? Wether it will stop charging? or just turn on the led to let you know it has reached its limit??

[@SimpleElectronics]

That's because it's not technically a "charger" - the only thing that will happen is that the light will go on, but the current should be minimal, since the battery will have matching voltage. If you want to use this to charge li-ion/li-po batteries you should keep an eye on it and disconnect it when the light comes on - it does not "terminate" the charge

[@jamesmcclain1734]

@@SimpleElectronics is there some other board that can be added in to initiate termination? Sorry if this is basic. I'm brand new to electronics and just got this same board in for a planned Borg Cube LED project. I bought two to have one to play with and realized after they arrived that they can be used to charge li-ions.

[@andrikurniawan531]

i am searching for step up constant 12v modul, can u help me find it please?

[@SimpleElectronics]

I would just get a variable one and set it to 12v

[@arnokalayc2054]

Hi, I'm not an electrician, neither don't have any science base. I'd like to ask a question about exactly for this buck converter. Let's say, we have 12V 1A adapter, power supply. Normally when we step down this to 3V, the current should increase in %100 efficiency to 4. I know this converter has 3A limit. So, this much decreasing the V and increasing A, can harm the converter? Additionally, when I regulate the converter to provide constant 0.5 or 1A, where the difference goes? Is this dangerous? I'm interested in modelling and going to use some LEDs. Can I charge lithium battery in a parallel connected circuit at the same time lighting some LEDs? I'm trying to be cautious not to burn the house :) Thanks!

[@SimpleElectronics]

The converter will limit the output to 3A because it's a current limiting model. So pulling 3A from this module at 3V will be okay - but if you want to use it long-term, it's not a great idea to run it at its max output - I would get a current limiting buck converter capable of 6A - and just be careful not to draw too much current out of your power supply. Also be careful pulling the full 1a from your power supply, the same applies, it's best not to run it at 100% of its capabilities!

[@arnokalayc2054]

@@SimpleElectronics guess what, I was assuming, let's say, 5V 2A power supply constantly provides 2A current regardless of consumer. Now makes sense 😅 I'll need ~10 watts at max, so probably I'll not have problems if I use 5 or 12V/ 2A power supply I think

[@ashscott6068]

How the Hell do you measure output short circuit current? There's now an ammeter in the circuit, so it's not a short! :D

[@SimpleElectronics]

Technically you are correct but the shunt resistance in a multimeter is tiny! Likely in the 10 milliOhm range! So it's essentially a short circuit!

[@niliptasatapathy836]

Sir can I charge a lead acid cell of 12v through this module. You are absolutely genius.

[@SimpleElectronics]

you absolutely can! Set the current to a few amps and set the max voltage to 13v or so and away you go!

[@Ziplock9000]

I've just tested one of these and I've noticed a huge flaw. If you set your output voltage and current limiting just right for the output and then disconnect and reconnect the power supply, it can output a lot more current than it's supposed to. So if you change batteries, you could end up frying your load.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Did you set your output current while connected to the battery? You are supposed to do it while shorting the module. Mine retains its current limit

[@Ziplock9000]

@@SimpleElectronics Yes, the current limit was set during a short circuit. Everything was set up and configured. Voltages, current limit, batteries and load. Disconnecting the batteries, counting to 10 and reconnecting, the board outputting far more current than it was set to and the lights on the board are out as well. It's actually blown the mA range out on my bench multimeter in the process as it went over range of the channel after I assumed it was going to work. If I disconnect the load and reconnect, it's fine. It's disconnecting the power that causes this issue, which of course with a battery powered device will happen all of the time.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Very interesting; I will test it here and get back to you

[@LEO-xo9cz]

@@SimpleElectronics Short it as in a dead short? Will that not damage it?

[@ZeroMass]

@@SimpleElectronics so what happened?

[@diorthotistm1621]

That is really great, however as a general rule of thumb you should not exceed half of a capacitors maximum voltage rating.

[@SimpleElectronics]

I see that as the general rule for ceramic capacitors but does that include electrolytics as well?

[@diorthotistm1621]

@@SimpleElectronics Yes, electrolytic capacitors are sensitive and can explode easily.

[@mebinantony5926]

Is this module can reduce 2A to 1A?

[@SimpleElectronics]

yes it can!

[@TechWarIndia]

can you please help me to make an led driver of 12v 5amps 60w strip constant voltage driver please

[@TechWarIndia]

please help me

[@SimpleElectronics]

If you need a constant voltage driver you can just buy a 12v power supply that plugs into the wall, like I got here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6jHm5mHg990bqc . I also installed it already but that video is on Patreon only for another 3 weeks or so

[@TechWarIndia]

@@SimpleElectronics but sir want to make it not to buy please

[@PHLocalExtremeSports]

its ok to use it to charge a tablet, I have a windows table that need 5v 2.5a(3.3mm barrel jack), I try a lot of charger even a QC2.0/QC3.0 charger still the tablet did not chrarge while turn on, I looking a best power option to charge my tablet.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Just be careful of your set voltage!

[@mancelprince7426]

This is most likely too late to help you. But, all of the laptops that I wave came across do the battery charge control internal to the laptop. Just don't exceed the name plate voltage of the laptop and buy a DC power supply with the proper output voltage and higher current rating. It looks like the module in this video would not provide enough wattage. Most laptops are 12 to 16 VDC at 1.5 to 3 amps which is a minimum of 18 watts and a maximum of 48 watts. This module is only rated for 15 watts.

[@melangkoh4184]

will this work as a laserdiode driver?

[@SimpleElectronics]

Do you know the specs of your laser diode? What it needs? What kind of power supply you will be using?

[@melangkoh4184]

@@SimpleElectronics yes that thing puts out the right current and voltage. Problem is, will the current be stable when the resistance in the diode drops. I dont understand how a part can be constant current and constant voltage at the same time.

[@mancelprince7426]

@@melangkoh4184 You've probably figured it out by now but in case you haven't. It will vary the voltage to maintain the CC set point. If the load impedance increases the current will lower and the voltage will increase to provide more current until the CC set point is reached. When the CV set point is reached the voltage will stop increasing even if the CC set point has not been reached. I guess that you could say "It's an either or CC or CV, whichever comes first." CC and CV is counter intuitive.

[@justinhummel5613]

You won’t be able to find a schematic of this set up online... they are using the lm358 to run the charge light, and also to measure the current and to enable a current limiting circuit. Basically with the current limiting part they copied what Great Scott did in his video. See link below. Also, when the current is jumping around like it was on you, its because the solder connection on the pots aren’t the best. I had to touch mine up and they work better now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqbSoGimdsqKkKs

[@MR-qj3ov]

You just run led 12 voltage not 8 volt

[@Ziplock9000]

It would be better if you took the viewers directly to what your looking for instead of watching you search the internet for the correct data sheets or YT videos.

[@SimpleElectronics]

Thanks for the feedback

[@tasmedic]

@John Michael Stock "You're", not "your". It's a contracted form of "you are", hence the apostrophe. You're welcome!

[@robertbarr8001]

John Michael Stock please don't assume that we all have the same degree of knowledge as you do. For myself it was instructive to know that there are other sources of info via e.g. data sheets. Simple Electronics: if you read this, that's a bit more (if different) feedback for you. More power to your elbow, as they say.