📋 Overview
The 6-24V to 5V USB 2A Buck Converter Module is a tiny, high-efficiency DC-DC step-down power supply that converts a DC input voltage of 6V to 24V down to a fixed 5V USB output at up to 2A continuous current. It uses synchronous rectification for efficiency up to 97.5%, and includes built-in protections for overvoltage, short circuit, and reverse polarity.
Simply solder your input power wires to the board, plug in a USB cable, and you have a compact, reliable 5V USB power source — perfect for charging phones, tablets, powering Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi, dashcams, or any other USB-powered device from a battery, solar panel, or other DC source.
⚠️ Important: This is a step-down (buck) converter only. The input voltage must be between 6V and 24V DC. Do not exceed 24V input or connect to AC mains power. With input voltage below 10V, the maximum output current is limited to approximately 1A.
🛠️ What You'll Need
- DC Power Source (6V–24V) — Car battery (12V), motorcycle battery, solar panel, bench power supply, battery pack, etc.
- Wire (2 conductors) — For connecting the power source to the module's solder pads. Use wire rated for at least 2A (e.g., 22–20 AWG for short runs).
- Soldering Iron & Solder — The input connections are solder pads, so soldering is required.
- USB Cable — A standard USB cable appropriate for your device (USB-A to Micro-USB, USB-C, or Lightning).
- Heat Shrink Tubing or Electrical Tape (recommended) — To insulate solder connections.
⭐ Key Features
- Fixed 5V USB Output — Provides a stable, regulated 5.0–5.2V output through a standard USB-A connector. No voltage adjustment needed — just wire it up and plug in your device.
- Up to 2A Continuous Output — Enough current to charge most smartphones, tablets, and other USB devices (with input voltage above 10V).
- Wide Input Range (6V–24V DC) — Works with a variety of DC power sources including 12V car/motorcycle batteries, 6V battery packs, solar panels, and bench power supplies.
- Ultra-High Efficiency (up to 97.5%) — Synchronous rectification design wastes very little energy as heat, making it ideal for battery-powered applications where every milliamp counts.
- Ultra-Compact Size — At just 26 × 14 × 8 mm, this module is small enough to embed inside enclosures, dashboards, or project housings.
- Built-in Protection — Includes input reverse polarity protection (diode), output overvoltage protection (300W TVS clamp), and output short-circuit protection.
- Red LED Power Indicator — Confirms the module is powered and producing output.
- Industrial Temperature Range — Rated for operation from −40°C to +85°C.
- Low Output Ripple — Only 10mV ripple at 12V input / 2A output, providing clean power for sensitive electronics.
🔧 Board Overview
This is a very simple module with minimal components:
- Input Solder Pads (+ and −) — Located on one end of the board. Solder your input power wires here. The positive (+) pad connects to the positive terminal of your power source, and the negative (−) pad connects to the negative/ground terminal.
- USB-A Output Connector — Located on the opposite end. Plug in a standard USB cable to power or charge your device.
- Red LED — Indicates that the module is powered and producing 5V output.
🚀 Getting Started
Step 1: Prepare Your Wires
Cut two lengths of wire to reach from your DC power source to where you want to mount the module. Strip approximately 3–4mm of insulation from each end.
Step 2: Solder the Input Wires
- Identify the positive (+) and negative (−) solder pads on the module. They are typically labeled on the board.
- Solder the positive wire from your power source to the + pad.
- Solder the negative/ground wire from your power source to the − pad.
- Insulate the solder joints with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to prevent short circuits.
💡 Tip: Double-check your polarity before applying power. While this module has reverse polarity protection, it's always best practice to wire it correctly the first time.
Step 3: Apply Power
- Connect the input wires to your DC power source (6V–24V DC).
- Turn on the power source.
- The red LED on the module should illuminate, confirming that the module is producing 5V output.
Step 4: Connect Your USB Device
- Plug a USB cable into the module's USB-A connector.
- Connect the other end to your device (phone, tablet, Arduino, etc.).
- Your device should begin charging or powering on.
🔌 Wiring
Basic Wiring
| Module Pad | Connection |
|---|---|
| + (Input Positive) | Positive (+) terminal of your DC power source (6V–24V) |
| − (Input Negative) | Negative (−) / Ground of your DC power source |
| USB-A Port | USB cable to your device (phone, tablet, microcontroller, etc.) |
Example: 12V Car Battery to USB Phone Charger
| Module Pad | Connection |
|---|---|
| + (Input) | Car battery positive / accessory circuit (+12V) |
| − (Input) | Car battery negative / chassis ground |
| USB-A Port | USB cable to phone or tablet |
Example: Solar Panel to USB Device
| Module Pad | Connection |
|---|---|
| + (Input) | Solar panel positive output (6V–24V) |
| − (Input) | Solar panel negative / ground |
| USB-A Port | USB cable to device being charged |
📝 Note: When using a solar panel, ensure the panel's output voltage stays within the 6V–24V range under all lighting conditions. Solar panel voltage can vary significantly with sunlight intensity.
🔋 Power & Current Limitations
The maximum output current depends on your input voltage. Understanding these limits will help you get the best performance from the module:
| Input Voltage | Max Output Current | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6V–10V | ~1A | Sufficient for most phone charging (standard rate) |
| 10V–12V | 2A | Full output capability, ideal operating range |
| 12V–24V | 2A | Full output, but may need additional cooling at sustained 2A |
Heat Management
Despite its high efficiency, the module will generate some heat at higher currents, especially with larger input-to-output voltage differences:
- At 12V input, 1A output — the module runs cool with no additional cooling needed.
- At 12V input, 2A continuous — the module will get warm. Ensure adequate airflow.
- At input voltages above 12V at 2A continuous — additional heatsinking or forced-air cooling is recommended.
💡 Tip: If the module feels very hot to the touch during use, reduce the load current or add a small heatsink. Mounting the module to a metal surface can also help dissipate heat.
⭐ Built-in Protection Features
This module includes several protection features for safe operation:
| Protection | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Input Reverse Polarity | A protection diode prevents damage if you accidentally wire the input backwards. |
| Output Overvoltage | A 300W TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor) clamp protects connected devices from voltage spikes. |
| Output Short Circuit | The module can survive a brief short circuit on the output, but do not leave it short-circuited for an extended period. |
⚠️ Warning: While the module has short-circuit protection, it is designed for brief, accidental shorts only. A sustained short circuit can overheat and damage the module. Always remove the short as quickly as possible.
📊 Specifications
| Topology | Non-isolated Buck (Step-Down) Synchronous Rectification Converter |
| Input Voltage | 6V to 24V DC |
| Input Connectors | Solder pads (+ and −) |
| Output Voltage | Fixed 5.0–5.2V |
| Output Connector | USB-A |
| Output Current | 2A continuous max (1A max with input below 10V) |
| Conversion Efficiency | Up to 97.5% (at 6.5V input, 0.7A); 94% (at 12V input, 1A) |
| Switching Frequency | 500 kHz |
| Output Ripple | 10mV (at 12V input, 2A) |
| Load Regulation | ±1% |
| Voltage Regulation | ±0.5% |
| Dynamic Response | 5%, 200µs |
| Static (Quiescent) Current | 0.85 mA |
| Output Indicator | Red LED |
| Input Protection | Reverse polarity diode |
| Output Protection | 300W TVS overvoltage clamp, short-circuit protection |
| Operating Temperature | −40°C to +85°C (industrial grade; derate at higher ambient temperatures) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 26 × 14 × 8 mm (1.0 × 0.55 × 0.31 inches) L × W × H |
⚠️ Important Notes
- Input voltage range: 6V–24V DC only — Do not exceed 24V input. Do not connect to AC mains power.
- Current limited below 10V input — With input voltage below 10V, the maximum output current is approximately 1A, not 2A. If you need the full 2A, use an input voltage of 10V or higher.
- Soldering required — The input connections are solder pads, not screw terminals. You will need a soldering iron to connect your input wires.
- Do not leave output short-circuited — While the module has short-circuit protection, it is designed for brief accidental shorts only. A sustained short can damage the module.
- Heat management at high current — At input voltages above 12V with 2A continuous output, add heatsinking or forced-air cooling to prevent overheating.
- Not a fast charger — This module provides standard 5V USB power at up to 2A. It does not support USB Quick Charge, USB-PD, or other fast-charging protocols. Devices that support fast charging will charge at standard speed.
- Fixed output voltage — The output is fixed at 5.0–5.2V. It is not adjustable.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Red LED doesn't light up | No input power, input below 6V, or blown fuse | Verify input voltage is between 6V and 24V DC. Check that input wires are soldered correctly and polarity is correct. If the fuse has blown (due to overcurrent or reverse polarity), the module may need to be replaced. |
| Device doesn't charge or power on | Bad USB cable, incompatible device, or insufficient current | Try a different USB cable (some cables are charge-only or damaged). Verify the red LED is on. If input voltage is below 10V, the module can only supply ~1A — some devices may not charge at this current level. |
| Device charges slowly | Input voltage below 10V, or device expects fast charging | Increase input voltage to 10V or above for full 2A output. This module provides standard 5V USB power only — it does not support Quick Charge or USB-PD fast charging protocols. |
| Module is very hot | High current draw with high input voltage | At input voltages above 12V with 2A continuous output, add a small heatsink or improve airflow. Mount the module to a metal surface to help dissipate heat. Reduce the load if possible. |
| Output voltage is low or unstable | Input voltage too low or load exceeds capacity | Verify input voltage is at least 6V. Check that the load isn't drawing more than 2A (or 1A if input is below 10V). Check solder joints for cold solder or loose connections. |
| Module stopped working after reverse wiring | Reverse polarity protection diode or internal fuse may have been damaged | The module has reverse polarity protection, but severe or prolonged reverse voltage can still cause damage. Inspect the module and replace if necessary. |
🎯 Typical Applications
- Car/Motorcycle USB Charger — Wire to a 12V vehicle battery or accessory circuit to charge phones, tablets, or dashcams via USB.
- Solar-Powered USB Charger — Connect to a 6V–24V solar panel to charge USB devices off-grid.
- Powering Microcontrollers — Provide a clean 5V USB power source for Arduino, ESP8266, or other USB-powered development boards from a higher-voltage battery.
- Portable Battery Projects — Step down a 9V, 12V, or 18V battery pack to 5V USB for portable power banks or field equipment.
- Embedded USB Power — Embed inside enclosures, dashboards, or equipment housings to provide a built-in USB charging port.
- Marine/RV USB Charging — Wire to a 12V or 24V marine or RV battery system for onboard USB charging.
- Wind/Hydro Generator USB Output — Convert variable DC output from small generators to a stable 5V USB supply.
🏪 Where to Buy
The 6-24V to 5V USB 2A Buck Converter Module is available at Envistia Mall.
- 📦 Fast US Shipping
- 🔄 Hassle-Free Returns
- 📧 Responsive Customer Support
📚 Additional Resources
- Need more power? Check out our other Buck Converter Modules at Envistia Mall — Models with adjustable output voltage, higher current, and built-in digital voltmeters.
This user guide is provided by Envistia Mall for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, specifications and features may change without notice. Always refer to the manufacturer's official documentation for the most current information. The manufacturer and Envistia LLC (dba Envistia Mall) are not responsible for any damages or losses resulting from the use of this product. Always follow proper electrical safety practices when working with electronic components.