Here’s a DIY descriptive tutorial to teach you how to get internet router power backup in various ways. As we may need a backup at our home of office for several reasons such as load-shedding, power failures, blackout, etc. and we may want to regain access to the internet service through internet router. This can only be possible with power backup options for which this tutorial is brought out to everyone interested. Moreover, the project is really cheap and possible to be accomplished with scratch components.
Lets begin with listing out the components required:
- Internet router : Any router for which we design the project. Our system works at least for wireless functions of a router, while Ethernet may not work in some.The best is low powered about 2-3 watt for long time operation.
- USB Power Bank/Backup : The power bank to power our internet router. The best one would be high powered i.e. 15000 mAh or more with current capacity 1A. And multiple USB out option would be suitable for simultaneous powering of router and mobile device.
- USB cable : We require a USB cable for making a power cable matching the router’s power input. Instead of buying some extra USB cable, we advice you to use some not in use USB mouse or other USB cables.
- Cutter : A cutter or scissor can be used for cutting cables and stripping out conductive part of wire.
- Multi-meter : We need a multi-meter for proper voltage polarity tests and conductivity tests while making the correctly working cable, but at unavoidable circumstances we may omit the device and follow hit and trial method until the router functions.
- Lead acid battery : This is required for high power alternative only, to be connected with a low wattage inverter. Advisable requirement is 12V and 7.2 Ah or more
- Low power inverter : A simple 300 watt or more for inverter is required for higher power optional requirement.
That’s all for components’ requirement. Now lets jump to the descriptive procedures of the project.
PART-1 : Internet Router powered by a USB Power-bank
— The adapter’s output jack goes into the router’s DC input.
— If you find a useless mouse or USB jack get one in use, or else buy one as you just need the USB connection’s end.
— Get a multi-meter to check adapter’s output voltage. And to detect positive among center and outer conductor.
— Firstly, set your multi-meter for voltage test (those with no multi-meter connect randomly until your device works, and so you may skip few steps).
— Connect adapter into power socket and test adapter’s output at multi-meter’s tester leads.
— Does your multimeter show positive reading??? If not, swap the tester leads’ positions.
— Note down ‘positive’ (either center or outer) conductor. It is the one to which Red tester lead is connected.
— If you’ve got an extra adapter then cut the output jack or else get one from any electronic shop nearby.
— Plug in the USB cable to USB power bank and test the stripped wires for positive end just the same way as we did previously on adapter’s output jack.
— Mark the positive wire with anything possible.
— Again use multimeter at continuity test mode. (refer to video)
— Conduct a test to detect stripped wire’s end connected to adapter’s output jack’s positive which is centered in our case. (refer to video)
— Now join the positive ends from USB and adapter’s output jack together, remaining negative ends together and seal them to prevent short circuiting !!!
— You may also buy the adapter’s jack and solder the USB cable wire for your permanent usage and cleaner appearance.
— And you will see after having the power connection that the router would be functioning.
— A low power router consuming 2-3 watt will keep on going for at least 10-11 hours with ordinary power bank of around 20000mAh fully charged.
— Use multiple USB out power-bank to charger your mobile and power the router at the same time.
PART-2 : Internet Router powered by a LAPTOP
— After making the cable as described in part-1, you can use it laptop.
— Probably you’ve got a Laptop and the cable you already made, can be connected to the Laptop’s USB output plug too.
— Now connect the other end to the router.
— Great, router would be functioning with charm.
— How long would it work??? It depends upon battery capacity of your laptop so give it a try. It work for 8 hours and more with my laptop fully allowed to power the router.
— But if you keep using laptop, it would almost work until your laptop usually die out on battery or may reduce half an hour of your laptop’s backup.
PART-3 : Internet Router powered by a low power inverter
— Finally, if you need more power even to get your router, mobile and laptop charged or working for quite longer duration, here it goes.
— We are using a 300 watt rated inverter to safely have the router, laptop, mobile charging, etc.powered by it and connecting the inverter to a sealed lead acid battery of 12V and 9.8 Ah capacity.
— Connect a multi-plug with inverter and power other low power appliances such as mobile charger, laptop charger and router’s adapter.
That’s all in this project, so enjoy surfing internet with long time power backup that you made by yourself. 🙂
