AnyVolt Mini Universal DC-DC Converter

Anyony know what these things are made with. They cost $25.00 and I'd like a Dc-DC voltage regulator but for a hole lot less $$$.

The AnyVolt Mini is a miniature step up / step down 0.5A switching DC-DC converter. The output is adjustable from 1.25 to 14V.


https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2007/05/AnyVoltMini.pdf
https://www.dimensionengineering.com/AnyVoltMini.htm

Any suggestions on how to build one! I'd like to be able to use a USB port to run
different devices, maybe even charge batteries...

It says on the main page that these devices use the SEPIC DC-DC converter topology. Just type "SEPIC Converter" into google and you'll get a good start. there is alot of information as well as schematics about it on the web.

how much current do you need? USB provides a useful amount of power but it might not be enough for your particular application.

What current do you require?

the dimension engineering products are very inexpensive for what they do. look through the digikey or mouser catalogs for preassembled dc-dc converters, most start at $50 and go up from there.

if you specify your input and output voltages and current, folks might be able to suggest a better fitting product. usually boost converters (sepic or otherwise) are limited on output current due to limited input current and input current handling.

The current necessary would be to power a 1.5 in X 1.5 in CPU fan, aprox 100mA-150mA?
$50 is far too much!