Let's Simplify Our Tech Bags with USB-C Power
USB-C power sounds like an easy way to simplify a tech bag, but I wanted to test it with real production gear instead of treating it like a theory. In this video I use a Decimator, Apple TV, iPad M1 running Orion, USB-C barrel adapters, multiple power banks, and a Fluke meter to see what actually works when you try to replace bulky power bricks.
The big lesson is that you cannot just plug things in and hope for the best. Voltage, wattage, barrel size, and polarity all matter, and center-positive wiring is something you need to confirm before connecting expensive gear. Some setups worked perfectly, while other power banks caused cycling or could not provide the right behavior under load.
I still think USB-C can make tech bags and small rack builds cleaner, but reliability matters more than neat cable management. If you are going to try this, measure first, label your adapters, understand what your device expects, and treat power experiments with the same caution you would bring to any production setup.
