📋 Overview
The F23J5V3A1S family is a compact, IP68 waterproof DC-DC step-down converter that takes an 8–36V DC input (nominally 12V or 24V) and delivers a clean, regulated 5V DC output at up to 3A (15W). All three versions use the same converter module and share identical electrical specifications — they differ only in how the output power is delivered:
- F23J5V3A1S — Bare wire output (Yellow +, Black –)
- F23J5V3A1S-MC — Micro-USB connector output
- F23J5V3A1S-C — USB-C connector output
Whether you're powering 5V accessories in a vehicle, running LED lighting systems outdoors, charging phones and cameras from a 12V or 24V battery, or supplying control electronics in industrial equipment, this converter family gives you a waterproof, solder-free way to get clean 5V power exactly where you need it.
⭐ Key Features
- Wide input range — Accepts 8–36V DC, compatible with 12V and 24V automotive, marine, and solar battery systems
- Regulated 5V/3A output — Up to 15W of clean, stable power
- IP68 waterproof housing — Fully epoxy-sealed for outdoor, automotive, and marine use
- Built-in protection — Overload, over-current, short-circuit, and low-voltage (undervoltage) protection with automatic recovery
- Built-in input fuse — The positive input lead has an internal fuse for added protection
- Three output styles available — Choose bare wire, Micro-USB, or USB-C to match your project
- Compact and lightweight — Easy to mount using the integrated mounting tabs
📊 Specifications
These specifications apply to all three models (F23J5V3A1S, F23J5V3A1S-MC, F23J5V3A1S-C) unless otherwise noted — the converter module itself is identical; only the output cable/connector differs.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 8–36V DC |
| Nominal Input | 12V or 24V DC |
| Output Voltage | 5V DC (4.8–5.3V range, ±2% regulator accuracy) |
| Max Output Current | 3A |
| Max Output Power | 15W |
| Efficiency | 85.4% typical (at 24V in, 25°C) — same for all three models |
| Max Input Current | Up to 2.5A at 8V input / 3A output; ~1.25A at 12V input; ~1A at 15V input |
| No-Load Current | <10mA (typ. 2mA at 24V input) |
| Voltage Regulation | ±3% |
| Load Regulation | ±5% |
| Output Ripple & Noise | <120mVp-p (typ. 46mVp-p) |
| Overcurrent Protection Trip Point | 4–6A |
| Undervoltage Shutdown / Recovery | ~7.5V shutdown / ~8.6V recovery (automatic) |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +55°C |
| Storage Temperature | -55°C to +100°C |
| Waterproof Rating | IP68 |
| Topology | Non-isolated, synchronous rectification buck converter |
| MTBF | ≥200,000 hours (at 24V in, 3A out) |
| Module Size (L × W × H) | Approx. 46 × 27 × 14 mm (1.81 × 1.06 × 0.55 inches) (63 mm / 2.48 inches overall length including mounting tabs) |
| Weight | ≤45g (typically ~36g) |
| Input & Output Wire Size | 22 AWG - Applies to input and ouput wires of the F23J5V3A1S, and for the input wires only for the USB-C and Micro-USB versions |
| Input Wire Length | Approx. 16cm (6.3 inches) — same for all three models |
| Output Wire/Cable Length | F23J5V3A1S (bare wire): Approx. 16cm (6.3 inches) F23J5V3A1S-MC and F23J5V3A1S-C: Approx. 28cm (11 inches) |
| Output Connector | F23J5V3A1S: bare wire leads F23J5V3A1S-MC: Micro-USB F23J5V3A1S-C: USB-C (power only, no data, no PD negotiation) |
📝 Note: The F23J5V3A1S-MC and F23J5V3A1S-C share identical electrical specifications with the base F23J5V3A1S model. The only functional difference between all three versions is the output cable/connector.
🔌 Wiring & Installation
All three models share the same input wiring. The output connection depends on which version you have.
Input Wiring (All Models)
| Wire Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Red | Input +V — connect to your 8–36V DC positive supply |
| Black | Input Ground — connect to your DC negative/ground |
Output Wiring — F23J5V3A1S (Bare Wire)
| Wire Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Output +V — connect to your load's positive terminal |
| Black | Output Ground — connect to your load's negative/ground terminal |
Output — F23J5V3A1S-MC / F23J5V3A1S-C
Simply plug your Micro-USB or USB-C cable into the connector on the output end of the module. No wiring is required on the output side for these two versions.
⚠️ Important: Double-check polarity on the input side before powering up. Reversed input polarity can damage the converter. We recommend installing an inline fuse on the positive input wire for added protection, in addition to the module's built-in fuse. For wire runs longer than 50cm, use a thicker wire gauge to minimize voltage drop — and generally, place the longer wire run on the input (higher voltage) side rather than the output side.
🔌 USB-C Compatibility — Important Notes for the F23J5V3A1S-C
⚠️ Important: The F23J5V3A1S-C outputs 5V only and does not include a USB Power Delivery (PD) negotiation chip. It will charge devices that accept standard 5V USB power, but it cannot negotiate higher voltages (9V, 15V, 20V, etc.) that many modern devices request for fast charging.
Works great with: most smartphones (standard 5V charging speed), dash cams, GPS units, action cameras, Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards, and simple USB-C accessories.
Limited compatibility: tablets and Quick Charge–capable devices may charge slowly, falling back to the USB baseline current (0.5–0.9A) instead of their higher-speed modes.
Not compatible: USB-C laptops and other devices that require PD negotiation to begin charging at all (such as devices that only accept 15V or 20V input) will not charge from this module.
💡 Tip: If a device charges normally from a standard computer USB port, it will work fine with this converter. If its charger uses Quick Charge or USB PD at 9V or higher, expect slow charging or no charging at all.
For a deep-dive into the USB Power Delivery (PD) negotiation chip and the F23J5V3A1S-C's compatibility with modern devices, see Appendix A below.
⚠️ Critical: Match Your Input Power to Your Output Power
As with any DC-DC converter, your input power source must be able to supply at least as much power as your load will draw from the output. Since this converter is about 85.4% efficient, a simple rule of thumb is:
Required Input Power ≈ Output Power ÷ 0.854
At full rated output (15W), your input source needs to supply at least 15W ÷ 0.854 ≈ 17.6W. At 12V, that's roughly 1.5A of available input current; at 24V, roughly 0.75A.
If the input source can't keep up, the converter will fold back the output voltage rather than deliver the full 5V. For example, if your load draws 3A at 5V (15W) but your input source can only provide 12V at 1A (12W), the converter can only deliver about 4V at that current — not the full 5V.
⚠️ Important: Always size your power source with headroom — at least 20–25% more current capacity than your calculated requirement.
🌡️ Thermal Considerations
This converter uses natural convection cooling with heat-dissipating components mounted on the top surface. Ensure adequate airflow around the unit and avoid enclosing it in a sealed box without ventilation. If you need to verify proper cooling, measure the temperature at the middle of the top cover — it should not exceed 80°C during operation.
🎯 Common Applications
- Vehicle and marine device charging — Charge phones, dash cams, GPS units, and other USB devices from a 12V or 24V battery (Micro-USB or USB-C models)
- Industrial and automation control power — Supply clean 5V to control electronics in industrial equipment
- LED lighting systems — Power 5V LED strips and modules in outdoor installations
- Golf carts, forklifts, and off-road equipment — Step down 12V/24V system power to 5V for accessories
- Alternative energy and telecommunications — Provide regulated 5V in solar and off-grid power systems
- Single-board computer power — Power Raspberry Pi or similar 5V/3A boards (bare-wire or USB-C models)
🛠️ Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Output voltage lower than expected | Load draws more current than the converter's maximum rating | Check your device's current draw and ensure it does not exceed 3 Amps / 15 Watts |
| Output voltage lower than expected | Input power source can't supply enough current for the load | See "Critical: Match Your Input Power" above; verify your input source's current capacity |
| No output at all | Reversed input polarity, blown input fuse, or input voltage below 8V | Check input wiring polarity and voltage; the positive input lead has a built-in fuse that may need replacement |
| USB-C device won't charge | Device requires PD negotiation to begin charging | See the "USB-C Compatibility" section above — this module is 5V-only, no PD support |
| USB-C or USB device charges slowly | Device is falling back to USB baseline current without PD/Quick Charge negotiation | This is expected behavior for PD/QC-capable devices on a non-PD supply; charging will still work, just slower |
| Converter shuts off intermittently | Over-current protection tripping, or input voltage dropping below the undervoltage threshold (~7.5V) | Reduce load current or verify your input source stays above 8V under load |
| Converter feels hot | Insufficient airflow around the unit | Ensure the unit isn't enclosed in a sealed, unventilated box; see Thermal Considerations above |
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Choose the right output style upfront — Bare wire for custom wiring, Micro-USB for older devices, USB-C for modern phones and accessories
- Add an inline fuse to the input — Even though the module has a built-in input fuse, an accessible external fuse makes troubleshooting and replacement easier
- Leave current headroom — Don't run continuously at the full 3A/15W rating if you can avoid it
- Ensure airflow — Don't mount inside a fully sealed enclosure without ventilation
- Protect USB connectors from water — The module body is IP68, but the Micro-USB/USB-C connector itself is not waterproof when exposed
- Check your device's charging requirements first — If it needs PD or Quick Charge, the F23J5V3A1S-C will only trickle-charge or not charge it at all
🏪 Where to Buy
Buy the F23J5V3A1S 12V/24V to 5V 3A DC-DC Converters at Envistia Mall.
Buy F23J5V3A1S (Bare Wire Output)
Buy F23J5V3A1S-MC (Micro-USB Output)
Buy F23J5V3A1S-C (USB-C Output)
- 📦 Fast US Shipping
- 🔄 Hassle-Free Returns
- 📧 Responsive Customer Support
📚 Resources & Downloads
- Datasheet (PDF): F23J5V3A1S Full Datasheet — applies to all three models (module electronics are identical)
- F23J5V3A1S Mechanical Drawing (PDF): F23J5V3A1S Mechanical Drawing
- F23J5V3A1S STEP File: F23J5V3A1S STEP File
- F23J5V3A1S-MC Mechanical Drawing (PDF): F23J5V3A1S-MC Mechanical Drawing
- F23J5V3A1S-MC STEP File: F23J5V3A1S-MC STEP File
- F23J5V3A1S-C Mechanical Drawing (PDF): F23J5V3A1S-C Mechanical Drawing
- F23J5V3A1S-C STEP File: F23J5V3A1S-C STEP File
📄 APPENDIX A: Understanding USB-C and Power Delivery (PD) Compatibility
This is one of the most important things to understand about the F23J5V3A1S-C USB-C module, so let's break it down clearly.
What This Module Does
This converter outputs a fixed 5V at up to 3A through a USB-C connector. This is the standard USB power level that has been used for charging devices for many years. At 5V × 3A = 15W, it provides a solid amount of power — enough to charge most smartphones, GPS units, dash cams, action cameras, Raspberry Pi boards, and many tablets.
What This Module Does NOT Do
This module does not contain a USB Power Delivery (PD) negotiation chip. Here's what that means in practical terms:
USB Power Delivery (PD) is a communication protocol built into many modern chargers and devices. When you plug a PD-capable device into a PD-capable charger, they have a brief "conversation" over the USB-C cable's CC (Configuration Channel) pins. The device tells the charger what voltages and currents it can accept (for example, 9V/2A, 15V/3A, or 20V/5A), and the charger agrees to supply one of those levels. This is how fast charging works — by negotiating a higher voltage than the standard 5V.
Since this module has no PD chip, that negotiation never happens. The module simply provides 5V on the USB-C power pins.
What Happens When There's No PD Negotiation
When a PD-capable device is plugged into this module and doesn't receive a PD response, it will typically default to the USB baseline current limit, which is usually 0.5A to 0.9A (2.5W to 4.5W) depending on the device. This is a safety behavior built into the USB-C specification — when a device can't confirm the source's capabilities through PD negotiation, it plays it safe and limits its current draw to avoid overloading an unknown source.
This means that even though this module is capable of delivering 3A, a PD-dependent device may only draw a fraction of that. The module isn't limiting the current — the device itself is choosing to draw less because it can't verify what the source can safely provide. The result is that the device will charge, but very slowly — or in the case of power-hungry devices like laptops, it may not charge at all.
Devices that do not rely on PD negotiation — such as most dash cams, GPS units, action cameras, and many phones — will draw current normally up to the module's 3A limit and charge at full speed.
Compatibility Quick Reference
| Device Type | Will It Charge? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most Android phones | Yes | Charges at standard 5V speed (not fast charge). Most Android phones accept 5V USB charging without requiring PD negotiation. |
| iPhones (iPhone 8 and later) | Yes | Charges at standard 5V speed. iPhones accept 5V charging — PD is only needed for fast charging at higher wattages. |
| Dash cams | Yes | Most dash cams are designed for 5V USB power and work perfectly with this module. |
| GPS units | Yes | Standard 5V USB devices — fully compatible. |
| Action cameras (GoPro, etc.) | Yes | These typically charge at 5V and work well with this module. |
| Raspberry Pi / Arduino | Yes | 5V 3A is the recommended power supply for Raspberry Pi 4 and similar boards. |
| USB-C LED lights and fans | Yes | Simple 5V USB accessories work without any negotiation. |
| Tablets (iPad, Samsung Tab, etc.) | Usually yes, slowly | Most tablets will accept 5V charging but may default to baseline current (0.5–0.9A) if they expect PD. Charging will be very slow, and large tablets may only maintain charge rather than gain charge while in use. |
| USB-C laptops | No | Laptops that charge via USB-C require PD negotiation at higher voltages (typically 20V). They will not charge from this module. |
| Nintendo Switch (docked mode) | No | The Switch dock requires PD negotiation at 15V. Handheld mode may charge very slowly at baseline current. |
| Devices requiring Qualcomm Quick Charge | Usually yes, slowly | QC devices will fall back to standard 5V charging. They will charge, but not at Quick Charge speeds, and may limit current draw to baseline levels. |
💡 Tip: A simple rule of thumb: if your device came with a charger rated at 5V (or if it charges fine from a standard USB port on a computer), it will work great with this module. If your device's charger is rated at 9V, 12V, 15V, or 20V and uses PD or Quick Charge, this module will either charge it very slowly at baseline current or not at all.
Why Not Just Add a PD Chip?
You might wonder why this module doesn't include PD negotiation. The answer is simplicity and reliability. A PD controller adds complexity, cost, and potential points of failure. For the vast majority of use cases — charging a phone in a car, powering a dash cam, running a Raspberry Pi from a 12V battery — a straightforward 5V 3A supply is exactly what's needed. It's a purpose-built tool that does one job very well.
This guide is provided for educational and technical reference purposes by Envistia Mall (Envistia LLC). This information is intended for a general audience and does not replace professional advice for specific applications. Improper installation, wiring, or use of electrical/electronic products can result in equipment damage, personal injury, or fire. Always follow proper electrical safety practices, use appropriately rated wiring and fuses, and consult a qualified professional for critical or high-power installations. Product specifications, dimensions, and design are based on manufacturer data and are subject to change without notice; always verify current specifications before use in your application.