Updated board, still have USB C charging problem

[xonq]

I cannot get my pinephone to charge well unless it's off. It was originally a UBports CE, but I updated to the increased RAM board using the discount provided.

Using an appropriately spec'ed charger, it drops to like 0.5 Amps when turned on. No difference between this board and the old. Kind of disappointing because this was advertised as the fix and I shelled out another $70 for it

Did you flash the Anx firmware? It's in the wiki

yes, via method 2

If "an appropriately spec'ed charger" means one using Power Delivery you probably need both the ANX firmware as mentioned above, and an appropriately up to date kernel, which AFAIK not all the distros have. I think Megous has the most up to date details:
https://xnux.eu/devices/feature/anx7688.html
https://xnux.eu/news.html

it's an ipad charger A1401, perhaps I'm wrong about PD on this. 5.3 V at 2.4 Amps. Charge at 0.5 Amps. Using Manjaro Phosh B5