PlantmateⓇ DC 5V to 3.3V 5V 6.6-12.6V DC Converter & Water Comparator Module

This DC-DC voltage regulator is intended for small, low-power applications.

Convert up to 12.6V DC power from a 5V USB-C input. This module features a USB Type-C input connector; 3.3V, 5V, and 6.6V-12.6V outputs from pin4, 5, and 6.

 

Operating Instructions:

Connect the module to a +5V USB-C power supply, pin 4 for 3.3V and pin 5 for 5V applications; Adjust the potentiometer to vary voltages output from pin 6.  Turn clockwise to increase the voltage from 6.6V to 12.6V.

In the module, the DC power unit converts the USB-C 5V DC power to various voltages for various functions and applications needed. 3.3V goes to supply the Water Comparator on board and to the 3.3V output pin 4 for 3.3V applications; 5V goes to the 5V output pin 5 for 5V applications; Adjust the potentiometer to vary voltages (6.6V-12.6V), vary voltages go to the Load Control Unit on board and to the various voltages output on pin 6.

 

What water comparator does on this module?

The water comparator sends a square wave signal to the probe+ connects via the Mini USB pin D+. When the square wave travels through the probes, there is a reactance to the square wave, depending on the water situation on the probes, the reactance is different, thus the voltage on the signal line is different(0-3V) and this signal line carries the water situation information.  This voltage is on the ‘Sensor Out’ pin, pin number 2 on the module. To get the water situation, we can connect this pin to an analog pin on the MCU(Arduino) to measure this voltage, this voltage is different between dry and in the water while the sensor probe is not in water or in water. Therefore, we can learn the water stage by measuring this voltage.

What Load Control Unit does on this Module?

Load Control Unit controls the load via the Mini USB onboard, the DC output via pins 4,5, 6 cannot be controlled by the Load Control Unit.
By sending a voltage signal to the Unit (between 0-3V, 0-5V) through the ‘Speed Control in’ pin, pin number 3 onboard to control the current to the load so that to control the load speed.

This module is compatible with 3.3V or 5V MCUs, on the top side of the module, you can see jumper pins. If your MCU is a 5V board, like Arduino UNO, please select the jumper cap on 5V, if your MCU is a 3.3V board, please select the jumper cap on 3.3V.

Through pin 2, MCU(Arduino) receives the voltage of the water situation, so we can decide to control the load ON/OFF, for example, to have the load stop by sending a 0V to pin 3.

To have the load speed on 0-100%, we can send a 0V to 5V (3.3V MCU or5V MCU) via pin 3.

Specifications:

Maximum Output Current:     2A
Input Voltage:                           +5V USB-C, or 3.5V-9V DC
Maximum Output Voltage:    12.6V
Load Control Voltage:             6.6V – 12.6V
Control Load Voltage:             0-3V, 0-5V (select the jumper for 3V or 5V MCU)
Maximum Efficiency:              Up to 97%
Load Control Interface:          Mini USB
Power Supply Interface:        USB Type-C
Voltage output Interface:     2.54mm header
Sensor Output Voltage:        0-3V
Assemble:                               Soldering
Compatible:                           Plantmate 6.6V Mini Water Pump with Sensor Plate
Compatible MCU:                 Arduino

Dimensions:                             41.5mm x 24.5mm

 

Load Control Unit Wire Assignments:

Wire	Description
Red	Load positive (“VCC” on Mini USB)
White	Sensor plate probe + (“D+” on Mini USB)
Gray	Sensor plate probe – (” D-” on Mini USB)
Black	Load negative (“GND” on Mini USB)

 

USER’S MANUAL

 

Package Content:

• 1 * Module;
• 1* 6 pin header.
• 1* Mini USB male connector.