Introduction: Charge Your Baofeng Radio Via USB Type-C

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About: Programmer, Electronic Engineer, Project Manager

We do not want to carry extra stuff especially while traveling. Smartphone, 5V adapter and power bank are always in a bag these days. So, let’s twick Baofeng charger to power it by a 5V adapter brick or by a power bank in addition to its stock power supply.

I believe, you’ve already seen my upgrade of Baofeng charger @https://www.instructables.com/Improve-Upgrade-Repair-Charger-for-Baofeng-Radio/

In this indestructible I continue modifying my Baofeng UV-9R Plus charger making it a versatile charging dock!

Should be mentioned, that any 8.4V charger for your lovely Walkie-Talkie radio can be modified as it is described here.

Supplies

Step up Boost Modules:

A boost module is to rise the input 5V to about 9.8V and at least 500mA at the output (charging current is set by Baofeng at 500mA by default). Essentially, most boost module at the market would meet the requirements. All modules at the picture above are capable to deliver output current of more than 1A.

USB Connector:

Wires: 24AWG in silicone insulation

Step 1: Step Up a Boost Module Output Voltage

The output of the boost module to be connected directly to the input of the charger in this twick. That requires some kind of protection, so that the boost module is not burned out when the stock power supply is connected.

Architecture of the boost module uses a Schottky diode D at the output (see the picture above). In fact, the diode would also serve as a protection diode for the module, so that you can use the charger as usual with its stock power supply. However, for the diode to serve as a protection, Vout of the boost module should be a bit lower than the voltage of the regular power adapter, so that the diode is closed by the higher positive potential at its Cathode (comparing to its Anode) in case you connect both power sources at the same time.

Since the stock power supply delivers about +10V, I would suggest setting Vout of the boost module at +9.6…9.8V. It should not be lower, so that the charging chip can still operate correctly.

To do so in my particular case (I use 2149F boost module with preset Vout = 12V), I’ve replaced a 287k resistor with 220k (highlighted at the picture). You may simply tune the Vout by a potentiometer in case you use the other kind of boost module...

Step 2: Mechanical Processing

The shape of USB-C connector is great to cut a neat mounting hole for it. Dimensions are shown at the 1st picture above. I inserted the connector at the right side (at the left for the bottom view) of the charger where there is space for both the connector and the boost module. You may select other spot, depends on the construction of the charger.

I placed the connector next to the screw pillar to have more points to fix it firm with a hot glue.

Mark the future connector placement as it is shown at the picture, drill two 3mm holes and cut out the muddle bridge. File the mounting hole gently to match the shape of the connector. Make it tight to fix the connector firm. Solder wires to the connector first, then insert and glue it with a hot glue.

I have also drilled a small 2mm hole for the LED to indicate the power ON state.

Step 3: Glue the Boost Module and Connect It to the Charger

Magically, the width of all boost modules I have is about 17.5 mm and they fit the available space inside the charger perfectly.

Fix the module with some hot glue and solder its input to the USB-C connector and its output right to the input of the charger as shown at pictures above.

Also, add a drop of the hot glue on the top of the Power LED to create kind of light guide lens.

Done! Looks like the USB-C connector has been always there!

Again, the charging module TP5100 at the right side of the charger was installed in my previous instructable: https://www.instructables.com/Improve-Upgrade-Repair-Charger-for-Baofeng-Radio/

Step 4: Example: Use the Small "blue" Module

Yet another example using other module: