A bit of background:
When we first developed the iPad cooling case back in 2021, we weren't considering fast charging adapters (5V 3A) and it could only be charged by a 5V 1A/2A charging adapter (or charging brick).
Left- Charging adapter with 5V 2A output; Right- Fast charging adapter with 5V 3A output
For the last year or so, when we received customer support requests saying their cooling case is not charging, we slowly but surely narrowed it down to the case where our users were using fast charging adapters/bricks. And until recently, I was simply asking people to make sure they are using the ones that output 5V 2A.
This can be quite inconvenient for users who have the fast charging adapters, especially since owners of the newer iPads would be provided with those charging adapters.
In order to properly address this issue, we will have to redesign our cooling electronics from the ground up. Since we also have plans to update a few other bits and pieces and potentially improve the overall usability, that means overall, it will take a while.
The quick fix
Thankfully, more recently, I came across a 'plug and play' solution that will fix this. It's the Adafruit USB Type-C CC Resistor Fixer. I am just going to call it the USB CC Fixer.
source - https://www.adafruit.com/product/6323
Long story short - when we plug in the USB-C charging cable (from a fast charging adapter) to this USB CC Fixer, then plug the USB CC Fixer to the cooling case, it charges!
Quick note: even though we can charge our cooling case with a fast charging adapter (using the USB CC Fixer), it doesn't mean we are actually fast charging the cooling case. It just means it can charge normally. Which isn't a bad thing because fast charging can cause temperatures to increase which is not ideal.
3D printable case.
The team at Adafruit has kindly designed a 3D printable case for the USB CC Fixer so we can use it in a less 'exposed' state, or rather makes the USB CC Fixer easier to handle.
Source - https://learn.adafruit.com/resistor-fixer-case
For those who have access to a 3D printer, you have get the 3D/STL files here: link and 3D print it yourselves. Alternatively, you can also get the USB CC Fixer together with a 3D printed case/enclosure for a small additional cost.
There is an option to modify the 3D files using Fusion360 here: link, and we made some slight changes, mainly to the words (so it makes more sense to us) and how the case clips together.
If you need help getting them, feel free to reach out to us.
Check out the video below to see a demo of the USB CC Fixer :-