How FireBoard is using USB-PD

The power adapter can come with a FireBoard. From left: the 5v USB-A and the 5-12V USB-C using Power Delivery (aka USB-PD) standard.

USB-Power Delivery

FireBoard uses a 5V power adapter to charge and power units that do not power an accessory fan.

Even if you don’t know USB-PD by name, this versatile standard for chargers and devices is likely a part of your everyday life.  The idea is simple, one charger block and cord for all devices.  Pretty sweet idea, that makes packing your gadget bag less complicated.   When you connect a USB-PD  adapter to a device, a “handshake” between them occurs via a data line in the USB-C connection cord. 

FireBoard’s 12v power adapter is a USB-PD capable, smartly communicating with the device it is plugged into giving the correct amount of power, to either charge or spin an accessory fan like the Drive Blower.

All FireBoard 2 models contain a USB-C controller chip which sends a digital message to the power adapter.  Through these messages, a voltage output is negotiated based on the charger’s capabilities.  This standard is also reverse compatible permitting non-USB-PD compliant devices to be safely used on power adapters that are.  Furthermore, a non USB-PD charger can be used on any FireBoard 2, however it will only provide standard 5V output.

Most entry level consumer electronics products don’t include the more complicated circuitry and firmware to support the PD standard.  At FireBoard, we strive to pack in more features and add higher end functionality for our products!

For more info on this topic here is a nice 3-minute read; if that didn’t satisfy your curiosity, here is a deeper dive on USB Power Delivery.

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Port side of the FireBoard 2, The FireBoard 2 Pro,and Drive models (center and right) have a port that powers and regulates a 12V fan.

FireBoard’s Adapters

FireBoard ships two different power blocks with their devices.  The FBX2, ships with a 5V USB power adapter with a USB-A connection port.  The FBX2D and FBX2K both come with a USB-PD charging adapter, a 5-12v variable output power adapter that uses a USB-C connection port, which allows for charging the FireBoard and powering a fan for a Drive program. How does it power a 12v fan at 100%?  We have included a buck/boost converter that provides a variable voltage output to spin the fan at various speeds.  Our Drive Blower fan can operate on the battery with no external power source needed.  We have seen FireBoard Drive setups lasting over 16 hours when cooking overnight with a kamado!  If you think your cook might go long, you can always plug it in with the supplied USB-C charging cable.  You could also plug in if you use a third-party fan that may require more power.  

This chip (dark grey, at center) on FireBoard 2 models handles the USB-PD negotiation.

What is the best application for the Drive Setup?

Onboard menu support for Drive configuration on FireBoard 2 Pro and Drive units

Having a FireBoard Drive or Pro attached to a Drive Blower fan is a sound option for temperature regulation for smokers burning charcoal or wood.  The auger-driven pellet variety on the market like Yoder, Lone Star Grillz, Black Earth, etc, use high-voltage components driven off a separate control board.  We have successfully deployed the temperature regulation capabilities of a Drive Setup with a wide variety of smokers from the competition-sized offset type, gravity-fed / vertical smokers, and also the more common Weber-kettle type.  A kamado in particular is a great opportunity for a FireBoard Drive.  Kamados like Primo, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and others are super efficient due to their ceramic construction’s R-value.  This efficiency aids the FireBoard Drive in precisely achieving and maintaining target cook temperatures.