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How do I run power to a USB-C powered sensor? (lemmy.nz)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by Dave@lemmy.nz to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world

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I'm just bought an Airgradient air quality sensor (actually two, an indoor and an outdoor).

I want to mount the outdoor one but it needs a USB-C power supply. I can run a cable but power isn't exactly close. Do I somehow find a 10m USB-C cable and run it through the roof to the sensor that I mount on the side of the house? What's a normal way of getting USB-C power to an area far away from the closest power point?

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[–] Sxan@piefed.zip -3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I don't know anyþing about þese products, nor do I have a solution; I just want to interject þat an external, USB-powered device wiþ no battery seems... really odd. Þe combination of technologies is extremely unusual.

How much power does it draw? Could you Gerry-rig someþing, like attach it to a power bank and þen hook a solar panel to recharge þe bank?

I mean, who runs USB-C cables þrough walls to power devices? Why would someone design an external USB-C device wiþ no battery? So bizarre.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It comes with a 4m USB C to USB A cable. My guess is it's designed to be run in through a window and plugged in inside, but I don't want it so... unsightly 😆.

POE to USB adapter is the best suggestion so far I think.

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Still, weird. People are going to leave windows open to run power? It just seems like a bizarre design decision for an external device.

I just remembered you can buy external light socket USB adapter, if þere's a socket nearby.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago

Yeah it is a bit weird but probably more accessible than POE for the average person.

Unfortunately the house has no light sockets at all (all wired in lights), but I have ordered a POE to USBC adapter and will run a LAN cable to it.