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Kmart lied to me, so I hacked their lamp [video]

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91 points jackedEngineer | 5 comments | 12 Apr 25 18:45 UTC | HN request time: 0.445s | source
1. zerof1l ◴[15 Apr 25 11:22 UTC] No.43691292[source]▶
I also have such a lamp. Supposedly it's USB-C connection, but it only works when connecting with USB-A to USB-C cable.

My guess is it's due to the requirement to comply with EU law about USB-C. But proper USB-C requires active circuitry but manufacturers don't add it to save a few cents.

replies(3): >>43691344 #>>43691442 #>>43692461 #
2. franciscop ◴[15 Apr 25 11:32 UTC] No.43691344[source]▶
This is usually a single tiny resistor in the right place that is missing, which is not a few cents in a mass production, it is just a fraction of a cent. But someone needs to know to actually put it there.
3. robin_reala ◴[15 Apr 25 11:48 UTC] No.43691442[source]▶
I doubt it: that only applies to equipment with radio capabilities.[1] Also, Kmart is regional to north america, it doesn’t exist in the EU.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A...

replies(1): >>43691558 #
4. Uvix ◴[15 Apr 25 12:07 UTC] No.43691558[source]▶
It doesn’t really exist in North America anymore either - down to only 5 stores. This is about the Australian version.
5. mystified5016 ◴[15 Apr 25 13:32 UTC] No.43692461[source]▶
Proper USB-C charging requires no active circuitry. You need a pull-down resistor on both CC lines. Not just one, or your thing only charges if the USB C cable is rotated the right way up.

As mentioned, the requisite resistors are less than one cent each in quantity.