The ToolkitRC P200 is a mini desktop power supply that allows you to control the output voltage and current to exactly what you want. It makes things a lot faster and easier when building and repairing FPV drones.
The P200 from ToolkitRC is a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based bench power supply. GaN is a relatively new transistor material that enables more efficient and powerful devices in smaller form factor than ever before. GAN has the potential to change the semiconductor landscape, and this tiny but powerful power supply offers us a preview of things to come.
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Where to Buy?
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DC5Eobf
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IjcGgH
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-m72g
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-ue4m
- ToolkitRC: https://www.toolkitrc.com/P200
It includes the following accessories:
- AC power cable
- XT60 pigtail (you can use for both input or output)
- Banana plugs to crocodile clips cable
- USB-C data cable
- Manual booklet
Features
The P200 is a versatile power supply, output voltage can be set between 1V to 30V, you can use it to power a wide range of devices such as:
- TS80P and TS100 soldering iron
- LiPo charger
- Test all your drone components like VTX, RX, ESC etc
- Charge your phone and cameras
I can also use it to power my FPV drones for bench testing, and I don’t have to go searching for a battery that isn’t completely empty.
The P200 is small and light weight, very portable. And It can be powered by both AC and DC.
If you power it from AC (wall socket 100V-240V), you’ll get 100W (at the input, output will be slightly lower than that), but if you power it from DC (a battery or another more powerful PSU 7V-28V), you’ll get the full 200W power (at the input). In both cases, the P200 supports up to 10A of output current.
It also has USB-C output that you can use to charge your camera and phone and update firmware on the PSU. It supports protocols such as PD 3.0 and QC4.0.
It has reverse polarity protection, Short Circuit, as well as over current/voltage protection, with 1ms cut off time according to datasheet. Although it has current limiting, I wouldn’t replace “smoke stopper” with this though.
P200 Specifications
- Input Voltage
- AC 100-240V@MAX 100W
- DC 7-28V@MAX 10A 200W\
- Output Voltage: 1.0-30.0V
- Output Current: 1.0-10.0A
- USB-C Output: 5.0-20.0V @MAX 65W
- USB-C Protocols:
- PD 3.0/PD2.0/PPS/QC4/QC3.0/QC2.0/AFC/FCP/SCP/PE2.0/PE1.1/SFCP/VOOC
- Protection time <1ms (Short circuit, OC ,OV)
- Control cycle: 8ms
- LCD: IPS 1.54″ 240*240 resolution
- Main Output Port: 4.0mm banana female
- Dimension: 84*63*78 mm
- Weight: 360g
Closer Look at the P200 Power Supply
The ToolkitRC P200 is going to replace quite a few smaller power supplies I have that I use to power different devices.
The user interface is simple, and it’s super easy to use. Left scroll wheel to set max output current, and the right scroll wheel to set output voltage. To stop the output, simply press the right scroll button once.
I checked the accuracy of the voltages, output is almost dead-on. When outputting 15.40V, my multimeter (calibrated) reads 15.41V.
Input is slightly off but not really an issue. My multimeter reading is 15.44V while the P200 reads 15.70V.
Anyway you can calibrate both input and output voltages if they are a bit off. To enter calibration mode, turn the P200, as soon as the screen comes on, hold down both scroll wheels at the same time.
And I tried pushing the P200 to its maximum 200W when powered by DC, and max 100W when powered by AC, in both cases it lived up to the claims! I was actually getting 110W with AC.
Hold down the right scroll wheel button takes you to the system setting menu.
You can adjust:
- Step voltage (voltage change per roller wheel click)
- Step current
- Curve Time (basically diagram resolution)
- Lowest input voltage
- Safe temperature
- Backlight
- Beep Volume
- Language
- Theme style (White / Dark)
- Factory Reset
- Firmware Version
Part of the instructions that comes with the P200:
Short Circuit and Over-current Protection
To test short-circuit proteciton, we would short its output. I have done a huge amount of testing on this, and the first thing that I can say is the short circuit and over current protection does work. The power supply will shut itself down and it will not damage itself in the event of both short circuit or over current.
However, there are times the power supply took longer to enter over current protection or over voltage protection and shutdown, it simply continues to dump the power into the cables. This may be as a result of the internal resistance on my cabling.
While the power supply seems to protect itself from over current and short circuit in my testing so far, I will not rely on it as a “smoke stopper” for testing FPV drones. Get a dedicated device for this purpose, such as the Vifly ShortSaver: Review: Vifly Short Saver V2 – Must Have For New Builds
Conclusion
I love how versatile the P200 bench power supply is, just a brilliant and convenient tool to have around. I also like how small it is, it doesn’t take up a lot of room on my desk. I can even take it with me when I go travelling, potentially using it as my PSU for the LiPo charger on the go too.
But if you only use the P200 for LiPo chargers, it wouldn’t be the first thing I’d recommend. Firstly, it’s not cheap, you can find more powerful PSU at lower prices (with a fixed voltage output though). Even with basic LiPo chargers like the ToolkitRC M7, is rated for 200W. The P200’s 100W power with AC is a bit low to be honest. Yes, you can still power these chargers with the P200, but you won’t be getting their full potential.
As a desktop PSU? I absolutely love it. I have been using this cheap DC to DC variable voltage regulator, it does work, but it just isn’t as easy to use as the P200 :)
Power and voltage are both accurate, the P200 is overall a good product! I will report back if there’s a problem on long term use and how it holds up :)
How to Update Firmware on the P200
Download firmware from ToolkitRC’s website (scroll down to Firmware), the firmware file name should be “app.upg”.
Connect the P200 to your computer with the USB-C cable provided, open “My Computer” and there should appear a new external drive.
Then you just drop the firmware file in the external drive. Once the file transfer is completed, you can unplug the USB cable, and restart the power supply.
If it doesn’t turn on, you might have to unplug the input power cable, and try again. It can take a few try sometimes.
Check firmware version on the P200, make sure it’s been upgraded.
Factory Test Screen After Firmware Update
You might get into this screen after updating firmware. You can’t do anything, change voltage, current, or access the menu.
This screen is the factory test screen, which suggest the PSU requires a calibration.
To get out of this, you just need to connect a load to the output of the PSU (the main port). Something like a light bulb discharger, or power resistor discharger should work, it has to draw a constant current. Once the load is connected, the count down will start (the number 10.00 on screen), and when it gets to zero, you will see “completed” on screen, and you can restart the PSU.
10 comments
I have the same issue with all ToolkitRC stuff. The only way I was able to get around my Windows 10 machines not loading the U drive was to use an old Windows 7 laptop. I contacted Toolkit RC about this issue and they said to make sure I was using a USB 3.0 port. All of the ports on my Windows 10 box are 3.0. Would suck for someone that does not have access to an older operating system. I have tried multiple PC’s and only the Windows 7 one will see the device as it should.
I love the power supply but, I cannot upgrade firmware. I power it off then plug the usb cable into my computer and the power supply, and it will not show up as a drive in Explorer. I have seen many people with this same problem and I tried 3 different computers. I have PC’s with windows 10 and usb 3.0 ports.
Did you get it to work? I have the same problem and no helpful advice from the seller :/
sorry for not being very helpful, but i have no issue updating my P200. All i can suggest is trying a different USB port, or another computer. Make sure to use the cable provided.
I am into embedded systems and something of this form factor is incredibly useful not only for RC but for my profession as well. Since Covid, I have had to bring a lot of hardware home and the power supply we have at work is an overkill with 150 Watts and is massive. I can easily take something like this in my backpack if I am working from home and not worry about how much desk space this will consume.
Thanks for the review!
Completely agree with you, it’s a very handy tool :)
Loving mine so far!
I agree, but given it even has the DC power option sets it apart from most 30V 10A power supplies on the market. Sure, the inexpensive DC-DC converters like you reviewed are available on EBay and Amazon but they are pretty barebones and limited.
I’ve always wondered why a variable current/voltage PS hasn’t been built into the battery chargers we use. If you think about it they are basically the same thing only chargers are preprogrammed. I suppose letting the user have manual control over current and voltage could be dangerous and create a liability. My old Icharger comes close with the hot wire foam cutting mode and the brushed motor break in mode.
The latest ToolkitRC chargers all have variable voltage output feature and can be used as power supply, but a lot of people probably don’t know about this.
Toolkit is making some really nice, useful products for RC. I have their 150A wattmeter/servo tester, best wattmeter I’ve ever used and I’ve used many! Lol!
I just found out about this variable power supply from your site and I’m definitely going to order one ASAP. I can’t stress how useful a variable current/voltage power supply can be for basically for DIY electronics. It’s a must have, IMO, it’s up there with a multimeter. The ability to control current is key. You could even use this alone as a battery charger for single cell lipo/lion or if you’re careful you can use it to charge multi cell series packs(without the safety benefits of individual cell monitoring/balancing).
You are absolutely right :)
A must have for any determined RC hobbyist. Just wish the AC power is a bit higher, but hey, it’s tiny and it works :) I am happy :)