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iUNiKER Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 3

Writer's picture: The FounderThe Founder

Today, I will be reviewing the iUNiKER Micro USB Power adapter for the Raspberry Pi 3+.


Introduction

A Raspberry Pi computer makes for a brilliant companion for any electronics hobbyist. However, as with all things techy, it is not so unfamiliar to have to deal with a hodgepodge of odd cables, connectors and other adapters to get your projects to work. And even then, there may still be issues!


The Hobbyist Special - Finding every combination of adapters you need until it works.
The Hobbyist Special - Finding every combination of adapters you need until it works.

This is precisely why I decided to review the iUNiKER Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi 3+, an all-included power brick, cable, and switch, making powering your RPI device effortless with more than enough grunt behind it, too!



Overview

As you can see in this neat little ball, all that you need to power your RPI device is integrated into one concise tool.


The iUNiKER power adapter has all the main features built in.
The iUNiKER power adapter has all the main features built in.

This device includes:

A UK Spec (and UKCA tested) Power Brick, rated for up to a massive 3 Amps at 5V (15W!!).

A lengthy cable to reach your device (approx. 1.4m).

And finally, a power switch just before the USB socket.


In essence, this is a more than powerful power supply dedicated to the Rasberry Pi 3 with the ability to turn off and on your RPI with ease. This should help resolve the long-standing issue of the RPI missing a power switch built in, mitigating the annoyance of manually unplugging the cable from the Pi each time or reaching down behind a cupboard to turn it off at the wall,


One problem all too many RPI users recognise is the dreaded “Low Power” message that repeatedly shows at the top corner of the screen no matter how many times you try to hide it.


Low Power Warning - Typically caused by using underwhelming aftermarket power adapters.
Low Power Warning - Typically caused by using underwhelming aftermarket power adapters.

Though it poses as an annoyance, it provides a valuable message. If the supply (such as from a universal USB hub) cannot provide enough power to the device and any peripherals (sensors, keyboard, wireless internet or mouse adapters…), then you risk straining components on the main board as well as experiencing overall performance barriers.


With the incredible 3 Amps max this device reports to provide, this 15W is more than enough to stomp out the issues caused by the general 500mA a typical USB socket might provide at a squeeze.


It is also important to remember that a “Duel 2 Amp” USB socket, such as those on universal adapters or wall sockets, generally means 2 Amps BETWEEN 2 sockets (1 Amp Each Avg) rather than both sockets being able to supply this amount simultaneously.


Upon plugging the adapter in, the first thing I noticed was the immediate effect of no warning messages being displayed and a very noticeable performance boost on general operation and internet browsing.


Other than being a convenient solution to a common problem, there are other benefits, too.


A Simplistic Front Face - Plenty of space for labels and more.
A Simplistic Front Face - Plenty of space for labels and more.

The brick overall is quite simplistic, with no overbearing logos or awkward shapes. It just has a simplistic flat face on the top side, with all the specification details you need hidden out of view on the bottom.


Specification Details Labeled - Hidden from top view, leading to a clean look.
Specification Details Labeled - Hidden from top view, leading to a clean look.

This clean look of the front face would prove useful for hiding the power brick where you don’t want it to stand out or if you need to place a label or even mount the device itself to the brick.


Another big benefit of this product is the lengthy USB socket.


A Longer than Average Socket - Useful for powering PI's in thick cases.
A Longer than Average Socket - Useful for powering PI's in thick cases.

One of the first issues I experienced when using an Android phone as a work phone a few years ago was the realisation that some phones require a slightly longer charging socket, especially with some phone covers. Once I inevitably misplaced my stock cable, I had to unclip the back cover of the actual phone just to make my other cables fit every time I needed to charge!


With this adapter, this lengthy cable should definitely help your chances against the abundance of aftermarket cases available for your PI's.



Conclusion

My initial thoughts on this device are that it is well worth the price and certainly a must-have for a beginner Raspberry Pi enthusiast.


The product seems to be of high quality, with good reviews on Amazon and details a wide range of safety features, which are essential for long-term use, such as a home server project that may run all hours of the day. Keep an eye out for later reviews to see how it holds up in 6 months' time!

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