Ecotech Reeflink USB Power Conversion

thingiverse

My Ecotech Reeflink was working happily until all of a sudden, it wouldn't power on. No lights at all! A quick poking around showed that the large black IC on the board inside had failed (responsible for converting mains AC voltage to 5 volts (0.8amp peak). Seeing as though I bought it second hand and essentially had no warranty anyway etc, I decided to convert it to being USB powered! Parts Needed: * Soldering Iron * Solder * Snips of some sort are handy to cut off the parts we need to remove/clean up etc. * This 3D print :) * Pololu usb07a board * Some wire (something like 26awg silicone wire is good) * 2x M2 nuts * 2x M2 4mm bolts * [optional] Double sided tape or glue (for re-attaching the rear sticker! The original glue doesn't cope well with being re-attached) - could just remove the sticker too. Steps: * Note; some pictures on the internet show a large black heatsink over the input power section - mine didn't have this (perhaps why it failed! haha). Switching to USB removes the need to dissipate heat anyway, so remove it if present. * De-solder/remove the large black IC (RECOM AC-DC Converter) * De-solder/remove the figure-8 power connector (we're going to replace it with a USB-C connector) * [optional] Remove the other mains AC components from the board (not needed, but for those interested in clean appearance :) ) * Print this part (socket face-down, board mount sticking up) * Shave a small amount off the Pololu USB board, near the screw holes (else it doesn't quite fit! See pictures) * Solder wires to run from the main board to the Pololu USB board (see pictures) * Use the M2 fixtures to install the Pololu USB board into the 3D printed part, and slot that into where the figure-8 power connector used to live (See pictures). * Close the casing all back up, plug in, and make sure you get some lights showing! :)