This is a clever approach to making a portable air pump. Whether you need to aerate something while travelling or have an emergency battery backed or solar powered air source, this unit could be useful.
It's based on what appears to be a standard pump with a very minimalist cover, and current is low - especially after a little hack.
I'm not sure what overall lifespan this unit has for continuous operation. The weakest points may be the rotating offset pin-cam or the motor brushes.
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14 thoughts on “Inside a clever usb air pump teardown with hack”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph says:

    Is this the same one Aquarium Co-op sell?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Arx_ca says:

    I have 4 of these running in some aquariums at home, and I've been planning to run them direct off of a lithium cell floated at 3.8v or so (battery backup, without killing the cell by holding it at 4.2v all the time) Unfortunately, one of them died last night. I think it's been running about 4-5 months. I expect that the brushed motor's going to be the biggest issue with using them full time.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Narrowboat Journeys says:

    I've got one of these, it's new and works but several times a day it just stops working (motor stopped). Not powered by a powerbank so is not cutting out due to low current. I give it a bang and it works again… for a while. I've looked inside and all seems to be in order? Any idea what could be the problem? Thanks

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ASEEL BIRDS & ANIMALS says:

    If you run reverse motor then it's suck air

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Constantine V says:

    Awesome tear down, i have this running my nano shallow tank, connected to a 27000 mah powerbank with pass through charging.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Visiorary says:

    Very much like the hand sanitizer dispensers we got at work for COVID. The alcohol evaporates and the jello doesn't flow. I got sick of cleaning the bastards.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars P0P357UR3 says:

    Good for sea monkeys too haha

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric Anderson says:

    link pz

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars productroulette says:

    Amazed it actually started up on just over a volt! Wow. Great video.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Patrick Band says:

    Try discovering, what is the
    minimum resistance, to avoid the
    powerbank, from automatic shutdown.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JB9000x says:

    But where is the air intake!! I want to use a small air pump to connect to a vape pen and use as a tiny smoke machine๐Ÿ˜…

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Kocyla says:

    Maybe they got trouble with RF interfererence from the commutator, and the super-cheapest way to improve it is by putting a resistor in parallel with the motor brushes.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Customwerkz Guitars says:

    I had a couple of this failed on me after ard 4mth of use. Everytime it did died the resistor will heat up. But doesnt run. Should i just cut of the resistor? Did the resistor burned out? ๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜…

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ninguno says:

    wow the same type pump like a car air compressors. MM… probably the blood preasure monitor too.. Do you think it is posible to reverse some how to convert to a vacum pump? Handy mini tool to wrap thinks and suck some liquids. Regards

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