PowerBoost 500 Basic

PowerBoost 500 Basic

The Adafruit PowerBoost 500 Basic (5V USB Boost @ 500mA from 1.8V+) is the ideal power supply for your portable project.
This tiny DC/DC boost converter module runs from 1.8V batteries or higher. It can also convert that voltage to 5.2V DC to run your 5V projects.

Instead of a straight-up 5.0V, Adafruit have modified the output to 5.2V, this way there will be a little of ‘headroom’ long cables, together with high draw, if you wish, it will be possible to add a diode on the output, etc. This 5.2V product is safe for all 5V-powered electronics such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Beagle Bone, because, at the same time, it prevents unwelcome brown-outs during high current draw thanks to the USB cable resistance.

Important: Always verify the polarity before connecting the battery.

A TPS61090 boost converter from TI is at the core of the PowerBoost 500. This boost converter chip have some nice extras like synchronous conversion, low battery detection, 2A internal switch, 700KHz high-frequency operation and excellent efficiency.

• Synchronous operation allows you to completely disconnect the output by simply connecting to ground the ENable pin. This will completely turn the output off.
• 2A internal switch (~2.5A peak limiting) allows you to get, from as low as 1.8V, 500mA+, from 2 NiMH or Alkaline batteries, 750mA+, and, from a 3.7V LiPoly/LiIon battery or also from 3 NiMH/Alkalines, at least 1000mA.
• Low battery indicator LED will light up red when the voltage drops below 3.2V, optimized for the most common and prevalent LiPo/LiIon battery usage.
• On-board 500mA charge-rate data resistors ‘Apple/iOS’. By simply soldering in the included USB connector, you will be able to plug in any iPod or iPhone for a fast 500mA charge rate. It is not suggested for iPad, as iPad really needs 1A charge rate.
• Full breakout for battery in, control pins and power out
• In most cases 90%+ operating efficiency (see efficiency graphs’ datasheet). It presents a low quiescent current of 5mA (when it is enabled and power LED is on) and of 20uA (when disabled and power and low battery LED are off).

It presents a low quiescent current of 5mA (when it is enabled and power LED is on) and of 20uA (when disabled and power and low batt LED are off).

The Adafruit PowerBoost 500 Basic (5V USB Boost @ 500mA from 1.8V+) is shipped with a fully assembled and tested PCB and a loose USB A jack.

If you want to power your project with USB, you need to solder the USB-A jack; it will take you a few minutes. In case you want to want to use a terminal block, you are going to need to pick up a 3.5mm 2pin block and solder to the output spot, the spot where the USB jack would go. Otherwise, you may choose not to solder any connectors in to get a more compact power pack.

Adafruit name: PowerBoost 500 Basic – 5V USB Boost @ 500mA from 1.8V+