Review - DROK Buck Converter

#drok #fpv #review
I realize this is not a gadget you would use daily, however for the price of under $15.00, it's handy to have in the field knowing you can use your bank of Lipo's to get something done beside just fly with them.
DROK: amzn.to/3pU9515
From the manufacturer:
It is a 75W Power Supply Module/USB Charger + Digital Meter, Input voltage: DC 6~32V, Output voltage: DC 1.25~32V, Output current: 5A Max. It has small size, high efficiency, long term stable and reliable quality, easy installation and use, Suitable for DIY an adjustable voltage regulated power supply, Charging module, Industrial equipment Voltage convert, Power Supply Transformers, Laptop Power Supply, Batteries Buck, Car Power Supply, LED drive, Advertising screen, Monitoring System etc.

[@williammchugh4361]

I used this exact module on a solar power station. I used it between the panel and the gel batteries to lower the variable voltage down to around 14 volts. Ideally you’d set it lower to around 13.8 which is float voltage, but this station is actively charging things like phones so the batteries are almost always under load. The tracking on this module is great. I’m not sure how many samples per second it takes, but the screen will literally zig zag voltage input numbers when the sun goes behind a cloud. There are instructions for voltage calibration to match it closer to a meter. I considered pwm controllers, but their stated maximum charging voltage of 15.5 volts didn’t sit well with me for gel cells. this has worked well for about two years (so far) of limited monthly use. Stated maximum wattage is said to be 50 watts. I use it with a portable 30 watt panel. If you use a module like this as a regulator to charge batteries,, you must put a Diode between the module and the battery. If not, the charge flow will reverse which can destroy the module! Don’t forget about Fuses! Simple 12 volt automotive fuses will work.

[@W0KNI]

Excellent comment William. Thanks for watching. I really enjoy this little module and just posted a fun update as kind of a one-year anniversary. I don’t use it daily but I probably use it a couple times a month. Often as an ad hoc solution. Thanks for the detailed comment!

[@williammchugh4361]

@@W0KNI the post would not let me edit/correct, I wanted to add that the actual float current should have been 13.3 volts. Also, the use of the diode will cause the voltage going to the batteries to drop, it would not be exactly what the output display reads. You would need to compensate for this by turning up the output voltage on the module, which is why having it at 14 volts under load never bothered me. - thanks

[@WPI94]

Thanks! I'm going to use one of these to run an LED setup on a kids' riding car. 18V is used for the power source, used to over-drive the motors for speed.

[@W0KNI]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching. Just a side note on your application - research the max current (amp hour draw). The one you see here is good to about 3A. So if your kids riding car needs more then look for a more robust model. LEDS draw very very little so your probably good to go! Cheers.

[@richardchandler9027]

12 volts is a standard ref for voltage. Your device will run more efficiently on 12.8 to 14.8 but check the device for voltage requirement. Thanks. I had one unit DOA and the other ok.

[@RedSummitRF]

A couple things I like about this video are 1) you have a sweet looking lipo tester and I want one, 2) that buck converter looks really nice and I want one too LOL! Well done! Power leads and voltage check were interesting. Sub+like

[@W0KNI]

Thank you! Some early, cringe worthy YT vids. Those battery connectors are the XT60 and the smaller red one is a JST. The LiPo battery tester can be found here tinyurl.com/y6jlugnl Hopefully hear you on the air someday! 73, W0KNI

[@avrumo]

you have Very Good Videos , Hope you are in Good Health , would you consider a Video on Used Mic Mixers , they are a lot cheaper lol . Yes many new rigs have decent built in mixers or Equalizers . TNX from W5HEH, AJ

[@pauls5745]

I like the tiny 60 x 20mm ones w/o display. just noticing you didn't review this unit, just basically hook it up and note it was 11.9v but no testing and temp check, current limiting, etc

[@W0KNI]

Thanks! I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for watching.

[@barrykery1175]

Interesting video. But, my question to you is, "How can you verify the VOM was correct and the Buck/Boost was off?" First of all, 1/10 of a volt difference is nothing. I have the 35 watt model of the same brand. At first my B K Precision showed a difference of 5/10 of a volt. Now that's a lot. After doing some research I found out that my VOM is the problem, not the Buck/Boost. The DROK's volt meter was actually spot on. These are nice little units. I liked the idea that they come with plastic protection at a reasonably price off of Amazon. Thanks for posting, Barry, KU3X

[@W0KNI]

Good question. I've found that a tolerance of 15% is acceptable with 12 volt systems. Glad you liked the video!

[@RoyAndrews82]

Just got my DROK 720w CV CC BUCK Converter Today 🌞🙂🐒

[@W0KNI]

Nice 👍 I've been jumping into HAM radio ... like I need another hobby, and have used this little unit more and more testing electronics. Enjoy!

[@JerreHui]

Hello, your video was very helpful for what I need it to do, and it very straight forward instruct it, the way of your demonstration. Great helpful tip! Thank you very much

[@W0KNI]

You are most welcome, happy to read your post. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[@chukwuemekaonyema2716]

I have one connected to a laptop charger to charge 12v batteries for my son's ride on jeep and motorcycle. I was having trouble getting the amps to adjust but I'm sure its user error. Trying to get it to 2A

[@W0KNI]

I hear ya. I use mine, but the downside are the potentiometer adjustments seem long. I'm not sure what the max amp out is on this one.

[@chukwuemekaonyema2716]

@@W0KNI I can control watts but having trouble controling amps. When I connected my 12v ride on battery, it started at .1A and with time jumped up to .13A. Took a couple hours to go from 10v to 12.5v charging at 14v

[@republicofvegans712]

Can you input it with a 100v ebike battery? Im planning to use lighting and phone charging features.

[@W0KNI]

No. It won't go to 100v, but more importantly - is it only outputs 3-5 Amps. It's made more for a bench testing device and lacks the robust components for what you need.

[@travops8996]

Thank You

[@W0KNI]

You're welcome!

[@tribulationprepper787]

Do the small DC to DC DROK type adjustable Buck step down converters produce much audio noise? I will be using 12 volt battery input and powering a 6 volt portable short wave radio. I hope you will answer my questions. If this could add audio noise, could you suggest a simple remedy? Thanks

[@W0KNI]

Mr. Prepper, thanks for watching! I have not detected any RF through my equipment, however I would recommend keeping at least a few feet away from your radio to avoid any localized RFI that might come from it. What your describing sounds like a great application for it. Make sure to check that it will support the current your radio needs. Have fun!

[@tribulationprepper787]

@@W0KNI Stephen. Thanks for the input. The particular converters I ordered allows for adjustment of both volts and amps. I am hoping I can dial in the numbers required for both my Tecsun- PL-660, 6Volt radio and my MLA-30, 5Volt loop antenna. These little step downs are pretty neat as you well know. Here is the model I purchased two of on Amazon and thanks again. By the way, I have a friend named Stephen. He pronounces his name Steffan. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JZ2GQJF?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image

[@tribulationprepper787]

@@W0KNI I just noticed that your Drok is the same exact one that I ordered.

[@MatthewHeiskell]

Or you could just connect a 3s lipo to the video receiver

[@W0KNI]

Hi Matt. Yes, you certainly could use a 3S in this example. However, since not all components have a tolerance for lower voltage inputs this seemed like a good solution. Like when you see something that requires 13.8v (radio) and accepts a +/-15% deviation, a 3S would fall short. I also use it on a breadboard for testing ideas. Fun stuff! Thanks for coming watching!

[@MatthewHeiskell]

@@W0KNI Thanks for the video though, I plan on using it to take some solar cell power and charge a flight pack while airborne, we'll see how well that works hahaha

[@Emaelectronic3D]

Amigo saludos note molesta si haces vídeo en español ya q casi note entiendo bro.... Y eso megusto

[@STRUMMERBOY1975]

Hi ! I need to use this to stepdown an 18 volt /3Amp pack down to 12Volt/1Amp to charge the battery for a Toy operated ride-around vehicle. So am I good.2go with this unit? Thanks !And Thanks for your Video! :)

[@W0KNI]

Hi Richard! Thanks for watching. Here is a link to the manual. I took a quick scan of the specs. and it appears it would easily handle the load you described. Good luck and thank you for the sub. tinyurl.com/ydelh9ff

[@STRUMMERBOY1975]

@@W0KNI Hey Big Thanks To you Stephen !! :)

[@bobcatt2294]

Is there an update for these types of products? I will be retrofitting my bike with stop lights and running lights and in the market for a buck converter. something with a case.

[@W0KNI]

Good question. I got mine off amazon. I would shop around to find one that fits your needs. AFAIK the firmware is not upgradable. They're kind of barebones DIY gadget so would probably need an aftermarket case. I hope that helps!

[@bobcatt2294]

@@W0KNI Yes it is helpful, thank you and thumbs up.

[@antno2281]

When i was charging some batterys with this it worked initially and after a hour it has stopped chagrining and outputting any voltage and the on light started blinking any ideas on how i could fix it.

[@W0KNI]

Thanks for watching. As I review the 2 page manual I see 4 indicator lights. They run vertically, one above the other. Which one was blinking? This device has an overheat cutoff but does not have a back feed on the load side. What source and load voltage were you working with? Did your load batteries have a BMS installed?

[@bobcatt2294]

Can you not calibrate the output voltage by holding down a button then adjust the values?

[@W0KNI]

Good question. I don't recall seeing that in the manual. It wasn't off that much and with the pots you can pretty much dial in what you want.

[@bobcatt2294]

@@W0KNI I ask this as many of these regulars has this option. Thumbs up.

[@jesshowe4591]

what does buck mean a lot of different buck Converters for sale ? Convert your money into DC

[@W0KNI]

Hey Jess - thanks for watching! I kind of wondered that too when I first started playing with these. As it turns out the technical term is step-up, step-down voltage transformer. However, the non-technical phrase is *boost* (step-up) and *buck* (step-down). You will sometimes see boost-buck DC to DC converter. I hope that helps!

[@EpTechie]

Hi Stephen, what size awg wire are you using? I can't fit a 16 awg at all 😢

[@W0KNI]

If your using this model then 18 awg is plenty. This unit was only rated for 5A which isn't even 1/2 of what 18 awg can handle. Let me know if that helps. Cheers!

[@chrisschmitz1926]

Mine only goes to 3.5 v out can u show how to turn it up

[@W0KNI]

Do you have the same model? It should go much higher than that. The POT takes many turns to go up or down when you first get it. Let me know if that helps!

[@tonyv3rd]

Does the heatsink get very hot? Do you think a fan is necessary?

[@W0KNI]

I have not had it get warm on me but I don’t use it for more than an hour.

[@daviancampbell3687]

This can install in a car right ?…an can I get 10 . 8 volt output out of it ??

[@W0KNI]

Hey there. Yes you could, but just make sure that what ever device your trying to power with it does not pull more than 5 Amps. According to the manual (see description link) it recommends staying at about 3.3 Amps. I hope that helps.

[@daviancampbell3687]

@@W0KNI the device that I’m going to use on it it’s only going to pull 1.5 amps so that’s good ..thank you

[@kingkongboy07]

Can this meter use in car audio?

[@W0KNI]

Hey Ryan - thanks for watching. I'm thinking not due to the current draw required by the car audio. However, since there is such diversity in car audio requirements I would take a close look at what the unit needs and see if the DROK can support it.

[@kingkongboy07]

Stephen thanks for yours reply! I sure will reach out to them.

[@3006USMC]

After watching this video I placed my order on April 2...... I have a receipt from PayPal. I still have not received the 2 that I ordered. I sent an email with no response. Any suggestions??

[@W0KNI]

It's hard to say with all the COVID stuff. I had a shipment from China that took over 2 months to arrive, normally about 3 weeks. Just keep in contact with them. Did you get a tracking #?

[@3006USMC]

Stephen Payne - They replied from my email... it on its way !!!

[@brianmoore5454]

Stephen.... where did you get the data sheet for this product??. Do DROK supply one on their website??

[@W0KNI]

Brian - good question. There was an instruction sheet with the product during unboxing, however I had to review several other YT vids to fill in the blanks. My requirements were pretty narrow, between 5v-12v using a Lip supply from 7.4 to 14.7v. I hope that helps.

[@brianmoore5454]

@@W0KNI Many thanks Stephen...another bit of info to slot into the puzzle. Any chance of emailing me the instruction sheet that you have...email address … [e-mail]

[@W0KNI]

drive.google.com/file/d/1GcL8NPWRLoXeOokdNzmvDyBvu-8DJNJK/view?usp=drivesdk

[@brianmoore5454]

@@W0KNI Many thanks Stephen...I searched high and low for this Manual but never found it. Now I can start to use it properly.

[@Hotshotter3000]

Can you connect 9 volt batteries to it?

[@W0KNI]

Thanks for stopping by! Yes it will handle as low as 6v input. I'm attaching the datasheet for you that came with it. drive.google.com/file/d/1GcL8NPWRLoXeOokdNzmvDyBvu-8DJNJK/view?usp=sharing

[@Hotshotter3000]

@@W0KNI Thank you very much. I want to make a few makeshift projects, but don't want to buy a power supply for them, instead I want to get creative with a bit of jury rigging... I want to make a pyramid of 9 volt batteries!