Hey everyone! I wanted to share a fun DIY hack I stumbled upon recently. I’ve been experimenting with some bookshelf lighting, and one of the biggest challenges was finding a reliable power source without an outlet nearby. I came across these 5V COB LED strips that are RF remote controlled, which was perfect since I use my Bond Bridge for all my RF needs.
The issue I ran into was that the power bank I bought would shut off completely when the lights weren’t on, which defeated the whole purpose of having them around. I did some research and found out that Voltaic Systems makes these “Always On” power banks, but they’re quite pricey—easily three times what I paid for mine.
Then, someone suggested using an old USB receiver as a power draw to keep the bank alive. I tried a few different ones, but the Logitech Unifying Receiver was the magic bullet! I read somewhere that it draws around 3W, which is just enough to trick the power bank into thinking it’s always in use. I couldn’t believe how simple the solution was. Now, my lights stay powered up, and I don’t have to worry about the bank shutting off when I’m not using them.
I thought this might be helpful for others in similar situations, especially if you’re looking to create some low-power lighting setups without the need for constant supervision. It’s a neat workaround and a great way to repurpose old tech!
If anyone has other creative uses for old USB receivers or similar hacks, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s keep the DIY spirit alive! 