LAVA Computer MFG Inc.
nLTS Product Family - Reference Manual – A04
2 Vulcan St. Toronto, ON Tel: +1 416 674-5942 www.lavasimulcharge.com
Canada, M9W 1L2
Toll Free (US & Canada): 800 241-5282
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Connection Descriptions
USB Micro-B “To Tablet”
The “To Tablet” receptacle is a standard Micro USB-B receptacle.
The custom 3.3 foot (1 meter) cable, included with the LAVA product, provides the connection
between the LAVA product and the mobile device. The custom cable has a male Micro USB-B
connector at each end. It does not matter which end of the cable is attached to the mobile device
or the LAVA product.
The LAVA product to mobile device cable
must not be extended
, as the additional power loss
in the wires will result in unreliable device charging and operation.
The LAVA product to Mobile device cable cannot be replaced with a third party cable. The
LAVA provided cable is specially designed to facilitate Simulcharge operation.
Barrel Jack “9-36 VDC In”
LAVA products equipped with the “vc option” include a power option that uses a DC barrel jack
with a 2-millimetre positive center pin. The power cable and power supply are supplied by the
user.
Many use-cases require up to a 24 watt power supply (12 volts at 2 amperes or 24 volts at 1
ampere). The permitted input range is 9 to 36 volts. Any unregulated power supply can be used.
This range of supported voltages permits the power supply to be placed up to 50 feet away from
the LAVA product when a suitable wire gauge is used.
The minimum power specification for a use-case requires developing a power budget that is
based on the USB peripherals you wish to use and the mobile device. In cases where no external
USB peripherals or a few low-power peripherals are used, the power supply requirements can
drop down to 12 watts (12 volts at 1 ampere, or 24 volts at 0.5 amperes). The internal power
converter within the LAVA product is 80% efficient at full load, therefore 12 watts into the
product results in 10 watts for system use.
A power supply with a higher power rating that the required minimum is always permitted. This
has the benefit of your hardware system running cooler. As an example, if your system ideally
requires a 12 volt 2 ampere power supply, then a 12 volt 2.5 ampere supply is acceptable.
The length and gauge of wire used to connect the power supply to the LAVA product results in a
loss of voltage and therefore power reaching the LAVA product. This additional loss must be
factored into the power budget as well. A higher power supply voltage is always preferred to
minimize the power loss in the wire.
