I have just received my Gradient One I connected it to my PC installation went ok, but if I connect it to a 5V 5A power adapter it doesn’t power on using the same cable previously connected to the USB port of the computer. I have tried multiple power adapters and still same result. Why?
Yes, but I don’t understand the reason for the question? Why is that having anything with the issue described.
It may be the type of power supply that you are using that is the problem. I find that some Fast Charge supplies that can give various voltage outputs sometimes don’t work when I just want a normal 5V supply (like when connecting the monitor). This is why the monitor might power up from the PC but nor from the power supply / supplies you are using. If you are using 5V 5A supplies, it is more likely that these are the Fast Charge type of supply.
Try a 5V power supply or charger that just has 5V DC marked on it, not multiple voltages). The monitor needs very little current, so a 5V 2A supply is more than plenty
Regarding Altair’s question about does the monitor still power up when connected to the PC… That is a basic part of any check that would be my first check in the process of fault finding as a process of elimination:
In this specific case:
Works when connected to PC
Tried other supplies - doesn’t work
NOW TRY THE PC AGAIN
If it still works, then it proves the cable and (especially) the monitor are still working normally and the other supplies were at fault / not suitable.
If it didn’t work, on the PC, even though it did before, then the investigation needs to look elsewhere.
[ Fast Charge supplies can output at different voltages depending on the device they are connected to and can be thought of as being controlled by that device as the device will select the voltage it needs and the voltage and current may vary during the time that the device is connected (such as a phone charging). The available voltages are normally marked on the supply.
It seems that sometimes the Fast Charge power supply doesn’t recognise a device wanting just a plain 5V and so can’t ‘talk’ to it to send it that 5V and so nothing happens when the 5V device is plugged into the supply. ]
I misunderstood the question. When he referred to the monitor, I thought he is talking about the computer monitor.
I have tried about 5 supplies that output only 5 volts, some at 2A some at 4A. and no luck so far. If I connect the “monitor” back to the PC it powers back on.
If this “monitor” is so darn finicky about the power supply, one would think that for the high price they charge for it, they would include one power supply that would work with the unit. I am sorely disappointed with this purchase.
If I cannot find a supply that will work with this unit. I will return it. I don’t need this headache.
Thank you for you reply. I appreciate it.
It’s very strange. I have three of the indoor monitors and one outside monitor, all connected with their original cable to different power supplies and have never had any problems. I’ve even run one of the indoor monitors from a small power pack for several hours when I wanted to take it out with me (effectively using it as a portable monitor).
Have you tried temporarily using a different cable? (it can be a USB-A to USB-C (like that supplied) or a USB-C to USB-C cable if the power supply has a USB-C output}.
If that works with a power supply, then that might point to the original cable possibly having a weird problem. If it doesn’t work, then it would probably eliminate the original cable as potentially defective.
The only other thing that I think of is if the power input polarity is the wrong way round. However that is very unlikely given that you’ve tried more than one supply.
Hi @tino, I’m sorry to hear about the inconvenience you encountered.
As @Rog suggested, the AirGradient ONE air monitor is usually powered up by any 5V USB power supply. I’ve also tried a lot of USB power supplies, which barely saw any issues.
I understand your frustration, but would you mind checking the combination of your power supply and cable again as @Rog suggested?
Also, maybe it’s worth observing a flashing amber LED of the CO2 sensor (looking through the vent at the top right referred to AirGradient logo - the CO2 sensor sits inside the AirGradient ONE). If you still see this blinking light when the AirGradient ONE is powered by one of your power supplies (other than your PC), that means the AirGradient ONE is working, but there might be some settings, for example, the display brightness, LED bar brightness settings that make it look not working.
Please feel free to reach out to us at https://www.airgradient.com/support if you need further assistant. We’re always happy to help you. Thanks!
I finally found a single power supply after testing about 9 of them. This is not right.
Hi @tino, would you mind sharing the details (brand, model number, etc.) about the power supply that works and those that don’t work?
5A for a standard USB outlet is pretty high. I don’t think I’ve found one of those. Typically I see up for 2.4 A unless it is a PD port
I tried to provide a link to the Amazon 5V 5A product but your site doesn’t allow links. Why?
Hi @tino, sorry for the inconvenience. It seems our forum’s system is set to block the posting of Amazon links. Could you share some photos instead? Thanks!
@MallocArray You are right. If it is not a multiple-port charger (if it is just a single 5V port with a rated current of 5A), it doesn’t comply with standard USB specifications (per USB-IF). It might be a custom quick charging protocol or a power supply for some specific uses that utilizes USB as its physical interface.
A typical smartphone charger should work just fine with the AirGradient monitors.
As an example of what I’ve connected the monitors to, I have several Toomke products from Amazon that have USB outputs.
The general one I use is the:
TOOMKE Multi Plug Socket with PD
(I have about eight of these dotted around the house 
|20x20](file:///C:/Users/DnR/AppData/Local/Temp/lu16812y3ah5.tmp/lu16812y3ahm_tmp_a2dec9be.png) )
The monitor works OK from the USB-A sockets and the USB-C sockets (with a USB-C to USB-C cable connected direct to the monitor.
Also the Toomke Tower and extension leads, both with USB sockets, that also work.
I think that most of my 5V power supplies / chargers that have a USB output (socket or cable) are the PD / Fast charge type…
I’ve also tried the monitor on an official Raspberry Pi5 5Apower supply and it works with that.
I have a Gonine standard (non PD) 5V / 3A supply that has a 5.5 x 2.1 jack output plus adapters. I just tried connecting this via the jack to USB-C adaptor and the monitor works fine.
If anyone is interested. I got it from Amazon in 2024. I ran it under a full 3A load for over an hour with no problems.
Amazon search:
gonine 5V 3A AC Power Adapter
in the results, look for the item with the adapters and currently described as
“5V 3A AC Power Adapter Compatible with Sky Puck Stream Hub Power Adapter,”
Be aware, there’s a lot of rubbish power supplies on Amazon, but there are some good brands.
Thanks for sharing your experience on this!
For those who are looking for a brand-new USB charger to power up your AirGradient monitor (in case you don’t have any leftover chargers around the house), I would recommend sticking with reputable USB charger brands you can find in your local stores (and of course ones with safety marks).
It is right down shameful and ridiculous, that after someone forking almost $300 for this “thing”, you have the audacity to say that we have to buy a " reputable USB charger brands you can find in your local stores (and of course ones with safety marks)" just to use it. Companies with this kind of approach do not last long.
Also where do you think are the local stores buying their power supplies from? All the supplies I have tried have the safety marks you mentioned, but unfortunately none said “it will work with Airgradient products”. If your product is so finicky about the power supply, don’t you think you should have included one with the product?
It is a power supply for the 5V of the Raspberry PI 5.
I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having. Actually the AirGradient ONE should work with pretty much any charger (and I have probably installed 100s over the last few years). From quite basic to expensive chrgers. We do recommend reputable brands when people ask us as we had a few instances where power fluctuations in the grid created some problems (only in a few countries) and more expensive chargers have the ability to compensate these grid changes better.
The problem you are facing is quite unusual and I would be quite interested to know which nine chargers you tested did not work. Could you share the brand and specs of them, maybe we can then put out a technical note about chargers that have issues.
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The problem is that the ‘safety marks’ are almost meaningless and are no longer a guarantee that the device the marks are on is genuine and to spec. the CE mark (“Conformité Européenne”), which is supposed to mean that the device is to European standards, must be one of the most abused and is usually jokingly referred to as China Export!
I am a reviewer and frequently review and, amongst other things, have tested many (probably about 150 - 200+) mains powered electrical items over the past few years. I was shocked to find so many non-conforming or dangerous devices.
Even the humble UK 13A plug cartridge fuse are fakes in so many cases and are outright dangerous. They are a copy of genuine fuses with the brand name and spec etc. printed on them, just like the original. However the tell-tale signs are all there - a gap between the fuse cap and ceramic body at both ends where the fuse wire is just trapped under the cap instead of being soldered inside the cap; the caps are magnetic (attracted to a magnet); when broken open, there is no sand inside the fuse to cushion the internal explosion if the fuse ruptures at high current; even the fuse wire in fake fuses cannot be guaranteed to be the correct thickness. A recent red 3A fuse that I broke open had thicker, 13A size, fuse wire inside. Always check the fuse in everything you buy before use!
I’ve tested lots of various makes and ratings power supplies (PSUs). Most of these are made in China, although that in itself isn’t a problem if they are up to standard. I give them a thorough test and expect them to supply the rated Amps / Watts and Voltage for a long period of 30 - 60+ mins at continuous full rated load without problems. I have had some very good ones and they are the brands I would buy. Other PSUs have underperformed such as having a large voltage drop as the current increases, cutting out at a lot less amps than they should do, overheated, gone bang, etc. Many of the failed PSUs will not be to spec and in many cases are made as cheap as possible with potentially dangerous consequences of fire or electrocution.
An underperforming PSU may mean that it won’t power a device as it should do or give problems.
A couple of good brands that I’ve had (and bought) are HKY and KFD. They are extremely good quality and I highly recommend them. The well-known brands are also usually good, but make sure that they are not a knock-off fake copy.
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Thank you for your response.
In the end, when the dust settles. the conclusion is the same.
This company is too damn cheap to care about the user experience. For the ridiculous price they charge they should have provided the 5V supply.
Thank you for your feedback. We will try to review this matter again to improve the user experience.