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Automate 5V vs 12V Charging: What’s the Difference?

  • Writer: Craig Radcliff
    Craig Radcliff
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read

“Is my Automate motor 5V or 12V?” sounds like it should be enough to choose a charger. It is not. Automate has current 5V rechargeable motors, older 12V rechargeable motors and 12V DC motors powered by external batteries whose own charging input may be 5V.

Quick answer: current ZERO Q motors use 5V Micro-B. The current 6Nm Li-ion motor also uses 5V Micro-B. Original-generation Li-ion 12V motors use the dedicated 12V charger. A 12V DCRF motor using an external battery must be matched to that battery pack’s charging input. DC FT and Li-ion FT are separate outdoor charging systems.

Current ZERO Q Motors: 5V Micro-B

The current ZERO Q 0.7Nm, 1.1Nm and 2.0Nm motors use 5V Micro-B charging. For these motors, use the genuine 5V wall charger and Micro-B charging cable, or the magnetic charging system where compatible.

Original Li-ion 12V Motors: Use the 12V Charger

Older Automate rechargeable motors from the original 12V Li-ion range use the dedicated 12V wall charger. Do not assume the newer 5V setup replaces the charger for an existing 12V motor.

The Confusing One: 12V DCRF Motor, 5V-Charged External Battery

The current external rechargeable battery pack we stock for compatible 12V DCRF motors shows why motor voltage and charging voltage are not the same thing. The motor runs at 12V, while the battery pack itself uses a 5V Micro-B charging input. Charge the battery pack according to its own specification.

Read our external battery guide for the correct battery and charger combinations.

DC FT and Li-ion FT: Separate Outdoor Systems

DC FT is a 12V DC outdoor motor with its own external battery pack and dedicated charger. Li-ion FT is a 5V rechargeable outdoor motor, but it uses a dedicated weather-resistant USB-C charging ecosystem. Neither should be matched to an indoor charger just by voltage.

Simple Rule: Identify the Exact Product First

If you know the exact motor or battery product code, charger selection becomes simple. If you do not, use the motor head, charging-port shape and battery label to identify the system before buying anything.

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