[Commotion-dev] TP-Link WDR4300 with more than 12V power supply

[Andy Gunn]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi everyone - I had a discussion with someone as to whether the
TP-Link WDR4300 routers could run at a higher voltage than the 12 volt
power supplies they are shipped with. I have done a bit of research
and testing, but also wanted to hear if anyone else has done some
experimenting.

The reason for this is to run the router on a backup battery power
source, to keep things running when the utility electricity shuts off.
If a charger is left attached to the backup battery, it can keep the
battery charged and won't require messing with the cables. The only
issue is that many batteries charge at higher voltages - 13.8 volts or
higher.

- From my initial inspection of the DC-to-DC converters on the board of
the WDR4300, most have tolerances that go up to 18 or 20 volts. So, I
decided to test things with a 15 volt power supply. I am using an
older Ubiquiti PoE power brick and an adapter to supply the TP-Link. I
measured the output of the PoE adapter at 15.4 volts, so high enough
that it gives a bit of margin of error on battery chargers.

So far - so good. The TP-Link is running just fine, it can handle
connections and doesn't appear to have any issues, or be running any
warmer than usual. So - initial success.

I will keep it running for a few days just to see if any issues
appear, and I will report back if anything goes awry. If anyone else
has done any similar testing, let us know!

Thanks,
- -Andy


- -- 
Andy Gunn, Field Engineer
Open Technology Institute, New America
andygunn at opentechinstitute.org | 202-596-3484
PGP: F1D2 CD5E 9F15 EEB0 232A 1EFA EEDC DC5C F1D5 653C
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v2.0.22 (GNU/Linux)

iQEcBAEBAgAGBQJVLV3KAAoJEO7c3Fzx1WU81csH+wXdLKQ5MvSx+Zz85Sodh29/
tOfehtqbPOH7MhgRmjF2S5inIHDSt7Iu8VnNCZxwc2xA/1Fa9oD57ELfIU3jSPSA
a2zKfIG78wBzuesq+2fVouqt1iLbradaryKuw0+uV6m4TLac1Cey7QgzbYRLmOyt
s1SHLzUsRZspqKUBo9Ik1p+K+ZZUsxnRyfNTSjOhfEYXIpn0S/VGWmyQzDm3eQll
3otewJy4nCj2dYvAq4r7AAFb3hHkj3Bvkl2jkSCzpH757YGOTW0TnWpSkrN6g7MV
iK74CAog1IoTitrvdGPnlu+jz00Bd5ba3jiOanbrZZDOWqjXfdY+e6FMDGjgO2k=
=OijY
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----