DC-DC Step-Down Buck Module - 25W Max, Adjustable Output

When working with electronics, it’s not uncommon to wish that all of your favourite Modules, sensors, breakout boards and other components all operated on the same voltage. However, while that would be quite convenient, most of us also know that it simply wouldn’t be realistic, as some components simply require various levels of power, while other components like LEDs and other diodes actually have a minimum Forward Voltage that has to be met in order for the component to work at all. This is just a part of the exciting challenge of Hobbyist Electronics though, and does add an extra layer of fun complexity to projects, especially when your projects are ambitious enough to mix multiple different voltages together to blend in many different types modules and components, and you have to work out how to deliver specific voltages and current to particular components within your system.

Fortunately, this problem is not quite as difficult as it used to be, and we now have handy Voltage Regulators like these DC-DC Step-Down Buck Modules, which are designed to drop incoming voltages down so that you don’t need multiple power supplies in your project, and can instead just condition the power within your system to accommodate the different components and the power levels they need to operate at their best. It is supplied by DFRobot, which of course means that it’s built with high quality parts to a reliable design, and is capable of offering up to 25W Max output, with options for both Adjustable Output as well as fixed 5V output, as well as power pass-through to output the same voltage as the input at the same time.

The relatively simple but very well executed features on this module makes it very versatile when comparing it to most other voltage regulators out there, as you could even mix two different voltages into the same project from the same power supply, regulating the input down to a more convenient voltage for whatever components are in your system, while simultaneously outputting the input voltage for other parts. Furthermore, with simple toggle switch control and a basic variable potentiometer for adjustments, coupled with three different outputs for the regulated voltage as well as direct output for power pass-through, you can rest assured that it can be used for almost any project ranging between 3.3V and 25V, with a JST connector, screw terminal and basic power output pins to make it as easy as possible to take full advantage of.

Please Note: Because this is a Step-Down converter, the input voltage must be HIGHER than the output voltage, otherwise may you run the risk of damaging the regulator or the connected circuitry.

Additional Resources:

• If you want a brief rundown of this module and a visual demonstration of the interfacing components, check out the DFRobot 25W DC-DC Power Module Wiki.

As self-proclaimed “Robo-holics”, DFRobot is a company comprised of over 100 staff members, of which 30% are engineers who love to build robots. It was started in 2008 with the goal of embracing and promoting open-source hardware, with a core focus on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their very own LattePanda development boards. Since then, DFRobot have manufactured over 1300 unique modules, sensors and components that all work together and complement each other, allowing users like us to enjoy a full spectrum of cutting edge robotics and electronics without having to pay premium prices.

With the primary goal of developing and manufacturing great quality products, while making them accessible to as many people as possible, DFRobot are rapidly becoming one of the most common-place brands in the world of open-source robotics and electronics. With more than 1300 products developed in-house, and an impressive range of different categories and specialisations, there are few brands in the world who can compete in terms of quality, accessibility and genuine innovation.