How a programmable dongle revives old tech with USB-C
A small, $8 dongle from a startup called Werewolf is quietly solving a problem many tech hoarders know well: how to power old gadgets that never had a USB port. The VFLEX is a programmable USB-C adapter that lets you feed the right voltage into any device with a barrel jack, using only a modern USB-C battery or charger. No soldering, no hacking – just a quick setup from your phone and the right physical tip.
The dongle emulates how laptops and other USB-C devices negotiate power. You use the Werewolf app to pick the exact voltage your gadget needs, tap “Update,” plug the VFLEX into a compatible power source, and then connect the barrel tip to your device. The app even saves profiles for each gadget and charger, so you don’t have to remember that your monitor needs 19 volts or that only certain power bricks can deliver it.
In practice, the flexibility is impressive. The dongle can request up to 48 volts if your charger supports it, and it works with standard USB-C PD outputs like 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V as well as 28V from EPR chargers. For voltages that don’t land on those exact steps, you’ll need a charger that supports PPS (programmable power supply). The device itself is tiny and stores its last setting in non-volatile memory, so you only need the phone when you’re changing devices.
What the VFLEX means for tinkerers and retro enthusiasts
For enthusiasts who keep a 1990 Super Famicom or a Game Boy in rotation, this removes the last barrier to cable freedom. The dongle makes it possible to run a retro gaming party entirely off a portable battery. One battery can power the console, a display, and an upscaler for hours, as the original writer demonstrated. The appeal extends to anyone with gear that’s perpetually tethered by a proprietary or hard-to-find AC adapter – old external drives, an Atomos recorder, or even a monitor you want to use in the garage.
Werewolf knows the product is niche. It’s working on dedicated cables for retro consoles, CPAP machines, and industrial M12 connectors, and a reverse-polarity version of the dongle is planned. The company also hints at building its own power supplies to cover more voltages without relying on third-party chargers. For now, the VFLEX is a smart tool for a specific tribe: people who want their vintage hardware to run on today’s power delivery tech without permanent modification.
Using the VFLEX safely – what you need to know
Check the voltage and polarity before plugging anything in. Look at the original power brick or the device label for the input voltage. Some gadgets (like many guitar pedals, Game Boys, and the Super Famicom) use a negative center pin – you’ll need a reverse-polarity tip (the orange ones) to avoid damage. The app doesn’t automatically detect or warn about this yet.
Save profiles in the app and test your chargers. Use the VFLEX’s built-in scan function to capture a charger’s capabilities. Then you can match your saved devices with a compatible charger in a single tap, rather than second-guessing voltage and support every time.
Know your charger’s limits. The dongle can request 19V only if the charger actually offers it – standard 100W USB-C PD bricks can’t do 19V; they jump from 15V to 20V. If your device needs a non-standard voltage like 19V or a voltage in between, you’ll need a PPS-capable charger or the specific 20V profile (with potential tolerance checks). Check the manufacturer’s specs.
Comments 0