Just set up my new eisy R2. I am coming from Polisy so the power supply form factor is different. The eisy uses a USB C 12V port. But the top of my new eisy R2 had a sticker that said to only use the factory supplied power supply as it will be damaged by anything else.

What is special/unique about the eisy USB C power input? I thought USB C was generally supposed to be kinda universal and sorta protected? What is special/unique about the UD supplied power supply?

The reason I ask is because I have some extensive programing that relies on countdown timers. (long ones) I am coming from the ISY 26 to the 99i to the 994 to the Polisy. With each iteration I have had to implement a new UPS solution to keep my ISY live across blackouts. Each time I have looked at alternate ways of achieving my objectives that are met by my long timers and never been happy with them. I have built further systems and protocols that rely on my ISY always being on. Before I begin looking for how I am going to accomplish a UPS for the eisy R2 I wanted to make sure I would not damage my eisy.

I know I could just get a normal UPS and plug the UD 12v power supply into it, but I have always preferred a direct DC UPS. The Polisy ran on a APC UPS Back-UPS Connect CP12142LI :

The advantage to this is the device is further separated from the power line, there is no transfer time, and most importantly, without inverting DC battery energy to 120V 60hz AC only to convert it back to DC I realize vastly longer run times for the same size back up battery. Actually, the DC UPSs usually end up being less than half the size of a normal standby UPS.

I feel pretty confident that I can find a suitable USB C 12V device that will function as a UPS, but the sticker makes me worried about damaging my eisy.

12 volts is 12 volts, nothing magical. I think the warning is because of the USB C connector used for the power connector. For the average tech stuff user, you would usually assume that any power supply with a USB C connector "should do", especially with some power supplies that sense and automatically adjust to the required voltage. It isn't the case with this PC. I'd almost be more vary about accidentally plugging the power supply into the actual USB C port on the eisy.

I’m sure that warning is to reflect that normal usb-c adapters start output at 5 v with maybe less wattage so using one of them might under power it. A cable or adapter to go from 2 wire to usb-c can either be bought or easily fabricated. As for the 12v to 5v a quality buck converter can be bought.

I’ve considered powering my UD devices with a ups but not done it as while eISY would be powered all the devices it’s controlling would be off and miss the signal so eISY, PLM , and other devices would be out of sync. My thought was to sense power outage and when it resumed to execute a query on all devices to get back in sync. How do you handle it with what you’ve developed?

Edited Monday at 01:43 AM2 days by hart2hart

USB C power supplies and cables. Can be found in varied wattage ratings. Not too well published information. I found it by chance.

So it maybe possible to not get indicated power or the incorrect voltage. As I have seen some can negotiate the voltage and current with the power supply. Also some cables have a different maximum current they are rated for. Like my Dell 3100 Chromebook. Has a 64 watt supply with a USB C supply connection . The ratings label on it shows a few different voltage and current it can supply Depending on what it negotiates with the load connected to it. Your supply may have a label on it with wattage and ratings it is able to do.

I would stick with what you get from UDI or get the needed specification from UDI.

Edited Monday at 11:44 AM1 day by Brian H

On 12/28/2025 at 7:35 PM, hart2hart said:

I’m sure that warning is to reflect that normal usb-c adapters start output at 5 v with maybe less wattage so using one of them might under power it. A cable or adapter to go from 2 wire to usb-c can either be bought or easily fabricated. As for the 12v to 5v a quality buck converter can be bought.

I’ve considered powering my UD devices with a ups but not done it as while eISY would be powered all the devices it’s controlling would be off and miss the signal so eISY, PLM , and other devices would be out of sync. My thought was to sense power outage and when it resumed to execute a query on all devices to get back in sync. How do you handle it with what you’ve developed?

Well, ideally for me would be if I could continue to use my APC DC backup. It outputs a regulated 12V up to 3.5 amps on a standard DC barrel connector. This plugged directly into the Polisy. It should be able to power the eisy for like 12 hours or more. So do you think a simple adapter like:

https://a.co/d/3PLKt9u

Would work? I know 12v is 12v, but my big concern is polarity and the USB C pin out. I would assume this is very common and manufacturers (including Universal Devices) would use the same pins for power, but I also would not have assumed that UD would have a USB C port that does not negotiate using the PD USB standard or at least have a way of protecting the eisy from damage. USB C power supplies are so common I was surprised to see a damage warning on the device with the public having access to such a variety of power supplies that terminate to USB C. So I am just a little scared.

Regarding device sync. Yeah, I have a delayed activation relay connected to an I/O linc. 2 minutes after power is restored and stable the I/O linc closes, the ISY sees this and notifies me and does a query all.

Edited 38 minutes ago38 min by Illusion

Well that's it: you don't want to assume anything. In trying to do something like this, I'd actually skin the power cable to expose the wires and find out which wires carry the voltage, and the polarity. Then cut the cable and connect my own 12 volt supply to those wires. I'm guessing that only power is being carried (no data of any kind) and seeing only two conductors would confirm that.

The actual controller hardware is a MELE mini pc. Amazon sells replacement power supplies for it. Read the warnings in the product description. It is meant only to be used with that type of mini pc

https://www.amazon.com/Standard-Computer-Quieter2-Quieter2Q-Quieter2D/dp/B099RXXDYT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MR3G3BKEVMXI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sf0GiA3PTCJLEmuSfrfWLijf41NLO_8ZXideBCz6g0Bgw9kXukFwtcKGsmB5HuumH5uNTyCm1Qi7cxjQoBq5JKwx4EpKPi5U8tRWO2cwE-ECfU-l3Lkz4Ou0rQQjUXRMgDBTdTfq1QD1UtLpnwqm2p_6e3-vLzuZ1AdH0dxJuisCin15etxo9-TX6KL4CktDzVcUw84RiDhXZQcykS8_SXXcDlT1tQK0TMtTq5FYBj4.WNmSzb-X67YTH0fkuXrY3PHd_y_a9r5jH29MvegbXWo&dib_tag=se&keywords=mele+mini+pc+power+supply&qid=1767110606&sprefix=mele+pc+power+supply%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/introduction-to-usb-type-c-which-pins-power-delivery-data-transfer/

@Guy Lavoie thanks for the link. I haved looked at UDI sales a couple of time for spare supplies.