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ASIAIR Mini Amp Problem

ZWO ASIAIR Mini Power Supply Help Needed Troubleshooting
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Johannes Maximilian Möslein avatar
Johannes Maximilian Möslein avatar
Hello,

I'm having trouble with my ASIAIR Mini concerning power supply, especially Amps.
Recently it's behaving very strange, and the internal measurements show 12V, but only 0.1A.

After seeing that, I tried multiple PSUs (2 official ZWO 12V5A, 1 third party), different cables and sockets, connected/disconnected every USB/12V device but it still shows just 0.1-0.2A. 

If the AIR really is done, it probably would be economically better to just get a new one instead of trying to repair it.

But before going down that path, I just wanted to ask if anyone has had similar problems and found a fix. 

Thank you,
Johannes
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Médéric Hébert avatar
Médéric Hébert avatar

I have no experience with the ASIAIR, but the power supply should work like any other: it gives what the device requires. So if it’s not under load, it’s normal to only send low amperage. The rated 5A isn’t what the power supply deliver all the time, it’s the upper limit of what it can supply (may be 5A peak and not 5A continous, but that’s beside the point).

If you are using a cooled cam, try cranking the cooler power to see if the amp reading increase or not.
I’m heading to bed so sorry if I miss-understood your issue.

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StefanL avatar
StefanL avatar
It could be that the numbers reported by the ASIair are wrong, but that the power is still delivered.
In that case, it is annoying, but not the end of life of the ASIair.  I would then just keep using it.

If the power is not delivered, then it is another matter of course.
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

Médéric Hébert · Aug 20, 2025, 08:41 AM

I have no experience with the ASIAIR, but the power supply should work like any other: it gives what the device requires. So if it’s not under load, it’s normal to only send low amperage. The rated 5A isn’t what the power supply deliver all the time, it’s the upper limit of what it can supply (may be 5A peak and not 5A continous, but that’s beside the point).

If you are using a cooled cam, try cranking the cooler power to see if the amp reading increase or not.
I’m heading to bed so sorry if I miss-understood your issue.

This is exactly right, that’s how electronics work. To actually measure amps being delivered you have to put the power supply under load (powering something) and measure amps in circuit. That way you can what the device is drawing from the PS.

Johannes Maximilian Möslein avatar
Johannes Maximilian Möslein avatar
You are right, it draws what it needs. I just think it should draw more, considering it's running and powering 4 USB Devices.

The main reason I suspect something is wrong, is because the AIR is behaving funky - messy guiding, buggy Go-To, bad connection, etc.
In the past that was always indication of bad power supply, mostly weak PSUs or broken cables. 
I did reset the Firmware, but nothing changed.
I'll try running tests again once the rain disappears, maybe it will have calmed down by then and is back to being fine.

Thanks for all the answers.
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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I guess the question would be, how are you measuring it. Is this an internal value being reported by the air or did you actually put a multimeter in circuit between the Air and the powersupply?