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wraggster
April 3rd, 2013, 19:29
http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/rift.jpg?w=580&h=194
Oculus Rift dev kits are starting to make their way onto the workbenches of makers around the globe. Some are even going so far as to tear open the hardware and see how they can improve it. [Mike] didn’t like the fact the Oculus Rift needed a wall wart power supply, so he modded it so it can be powered over a USB port. (http://mikejmoffitt.com/wp/?p=156)
The key insight for this mod comes after [Mike] put a Kill-a-Watt between his outlet and the Rift’s power adapter. He found only 600 mA of current was being used by the Rift, assuming 100% efficiency in the adapter. A USB port is supposed to provide 500 mA of current, so with a soldering gun, [Mike] bridged the DC input jack and the USB port on the Rift. Perhaps unsurprisingly, everything worked perfectly.
In case you’ve forgotten, Hackaday is getting one of these Oculus Rift dev kits (http://hackaday.com/2012/08/17/were-getting-an-oculus-rift-dev-kit/). We’ll post a teardown when [Caleb] learns to share. You can check out a video of [Mike]‘s modded Rift and some dolla dolla billz after the break.

http://hackaday.com/2013/04/03/powering-the-oculus-rift-with-usb/