Power Calculator
5 minute read
Use this calculator to determine the right power supply for your Cruiser setup. Select your board model, configure your PoE devices and storage, and get a personalized recommendation. Exaviz currently sells 48V power supplies only.
Board Model
PoE Configuration
Storage / M.2 Slot
AI accelerator power varies by model and workload. Coral TPU: ~2W. Hailo-8: 2.5W typical, up to 8W under heavy inference load.
USB Devices
Examples: bus-powered external drives, USB accessories drawing significant power. Self-powered USB devices (with their own AC adapter) don't add to board power.
Power Requirements
Recommended Power Supply
Based on your configuration, you're a good match for:
Exaviz 48V 4A Power Supply (192W)Understanding the Results
Voltage Requirements
| Model | Minimum Voltage | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruiser (8 PoE+) | 48V | 48-57V | PoE+ requires 48V minimum |
| Cruiser Lite (4 PoE+) | 48V | 48-57V | PoE+ requires 48V minimum |
| Cruiser Keel (non-PoE) | 13V | 24V+ | See Keel voltage note below |
The Cruiser Keel’s supported minimum input voltage is 13V.
Practical guidance:
| Input Voltage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Below 13V | Not supported. May cause instability or prevent boot. |
| 13V – 14V | Works. At the supported minimum; light configurations only. |
| 14V+ | Good. Adequate headroom for most configurations. A 15V or 16V supply is fine. |
| 24V+ | Recommended. Best efficiency and thermal performance. |
If you already have a DC supply in the 13V–57V range, it will work. If you’re buying new, 24V is the sweet spot for price and efficiency.
Power Budget Reference
| Component | Typical Power Draw |
|---|---|
| CM5 + board electronics | ~12W |
| NVMe SSD | ~5W |
| SATA HDD (each) | ~10W |
| High-power USB devices | ~15W |
| PoE expansion board overhead | ~5W |
PoE Device Power
| PoE Standard | Max per Port | Typical Devices |
|---|---|---|
| 802.3at (PoE+) | 30W | PTZ cameras, video phones, high-power APs |
| 802.3af (PoE) | 15W | IP cameras, basic APs, VoIP phones |
Add-on board ports default to 802.3at mode (30W/port), the same as the Cruiser’s built-in ports. If your power supply requires it, individual ports can be switched to 802.3af mode (15W/port) at any time:
echo "set-af-mode <board> <port>" > /dev/pse
Use the power calculator above to estimate total load and determine whether your PSU can support 802.3at across all ports or whether some should be limited to 802.3af.
Power Supply Options
Cruiser uses a 5.5mm/2.1mm DC barrel jack (center positive).
Exaviz LYD Power Supplies
Exaviz evaluated multiple 48V DC power supply brands before selecting LYD. We tested for voltage stability under sustained load, thermal performance, idle power draw, and overall build quality. The LYD units earned that recommendation.
Both models are built to the same standard and share UL file number E336005. They are certified for use in the US, Canada, EU, and Australia.
Certifications: UL Listed (cULus) · FCC · CE · RoHS · SAA (Australia)
| 48V 4A (192W) | 48V 6A (288W) | |
|---|---|---|
| Output power | 192W continuous | 288W continuous |
| Voltage drop at rated load | 2.0% (48.34V → 47.37V) | 2.1% (48.50V → 47.50V) |
| Temperature at rated load (30 min) | 53°C | 42°C |
| Idle draw | ~7.6W | ~8.5W |
| Warranty | 1 year (Exaviz) | 1 year (Exaviz) |
| Price | $69 | $89 |
The 6A model runs cooler under load than the 4A (42°C vs 53°C) despite its higher output, giving it solid thermal headroom for demanding configurations. Both idle at under 9W, making them practical for always-on deployments like NVR and home automation systems.
Which one do I need?
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
| 48V 4A (192W) | Cruiser Lite (up to 4 PoE+ ports), or Cruiser with up to 8 devices in 802.3af mode (15W/port) |
| 48V 6A (288W) | Cruiser with 8 devices running full 802.3at (PoE+) power |
Use the power calculator above to confirm, or see the FAQ for more on why PSU quality matters.
Both PSUs are available through the Exaviz Store.
Cruiser Keel: Exaviz does not sell a low-voltage PSU for the Keel. Any 5.5mm/2.1mm center-positive DC supply in the 13V–57V range will work. We recommend 24V for the best balance of availability, price, and efficiency. See the Keel voltage note above for details on minimum input voltage.
Barrel Jack Limitations
The barrel jack connector is rated for 7A maximum (336W at 48V). If you source your own power supply, do not exceed this limit.
| Current | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4A | 192W | Light usage — Exaviz PSU available |
| 6A | 288W | Full usage — Exaviz PSU available |
| 7A | 336W | Hardware maximum — third-party PSU only |
Exceeding 7A can damage the barrel jack connector. If your configuration requires more than 336W, consider reducing the number of PoE devices or their power consumption.
Tips for Choosing a Power Supply
Always add headroom — The calculator adds 20% automatically, but more is better for long-term reliability.
Check your devices’ actual power draw — Many PoE devices draw far less than their maximum rating. A “30W” camera might only use 8-12W in practice.
Consider peak vs. average — PTZ cameras draw more power when moving. IR illuminators increase power at night. Plan for peak usage.
Quality matters — Use a reputable power supply with proper certifications. Cheap or unknown supplies can sag under load, run hot, and cause instability or early failure. The Exaviz LYD supplies are tested and certified specifically for this use case.
Match the connector — Cruiser uses a 5.5mm outer / 2.1mm inner barrel jack, center positive.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure about your power requirements or have a unique configuration, contact us and we’ll help you find the right solution.
Last modified October 12, 2026