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Battery charger/power module (episodes 152 and 156)

elvizz

Hi!

 

For a mod of my WiFi radio, I am looking for a easy-to-use battery power source/charging circuit. My idea is to extend the DC in with an internal battery and corresponding charging circuit, which should also make sure the radio is powered by regular DC in while connected and powered by battery while diconnected.

 

In episode 152 Ben used a circuit module which seemed to be quite like what I am looking for and in ep. 156 he mentioned that he was using this kind of module rather regularly. However, I was not able so far to find just a single module image

 

So I would be glad about any hint into the right direction (link, module name or search term). Of course any ideas to my project are welcome as well image

 

Thanks for reading and happy hacking!

  • 0

    Are you talking about the sot235 chip its self?

    Or are you talking about the breakout board?  i think its :::: DIP ADAPTER

    I hope this helps, If this is not what your asking, Please enplane what i have gotten wrong.

  • 0 in reply to supper_slash

    Thanks for your reply!

     

    I also was able to find some battery charging ICs, but I am looking for a complete module to minimize soldering and pcb-design effort image

    However, your hint for the DIP adapter is great! This might come in handy sometime.

     

    In the meantime I had a closer look at the video and found "adafruit" printed on the module in the video, so I finally could find it there: PowerBoost 500 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 500mA+ ID: 1944 - $14.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun D…

     

    But for my application that module is a bit too small: My WiFi radio needs 7.5V at up to 1.2A (9W).

    The power source should act mostly like an un-interruptable power supply: As long as it is plugged into the wall, it should draw the current from the outlet, but when disconnected, it should switch immediately to the battery (but I guess that's true for all of those chargers).

     

    Is there such a thing already?

  • 0 in reply to elvizz

    What was you wanting to "charge/supply" power from?

    The reason i ask is that if you are wanting to use a "wall wart" style charger, it will be different from a standard USB-a/b charger. Because USB's provide 5V only, as far as i know.

    So if you would like to use a usb charger, you will need a "boost converter" DC-DC step-up converter.

    Where as if you use a wall wart plug, you can use a 12V @ 1.5A power plug, and use a "buck converter" (DC-DC step-down converter)

    As for the non interrupted supply, all you should haft to do is, tap Off of the battery side of the charging circuit, and when the charger is unplugged the project will pull from the battery. Like a capacitor would. you will just need to recalculate the ampere draw for the battery, and the project.

  • 0 in reply to supper_slash

    Thanks again!

     

    Yes, I just want to use the existing wall wart to charge a battery when connected (and run the existing radio [sorry, the page is available in German only, but the manual also has an English part... missing the technical dat section of course image]). Although, after re-thinking this a bit, I guess, the "wart" will probably not be able to provice enough current for both applications... so as you suggested upgrading to e.g. 12V @1.5A would be fine image

     

    Just to get your suggestion right:

    I connect the battery charger In to the DC in (power plug, e.g. 12V @1.5A), the battery charger Out to the battery and a DC-DC converter to get 7.5V from the batteries (e.g) 3.7V. Correct?

  • 0 in reply to elvizz

    what type of battery are you planing on using?

    I am not aware of a READY MADE module for this job, all of my projects i build from scratch. maby someone else can chime in on ready made module.

    By my understanding it needs to meet these requirements.

     

    1. 7.5V at 1.2A + the charging load of the battery's.
    2. Non interrupted switching from power cord to battery's.
    3. Power supply needs to be external.
    4. Battery's internal.
    5. Minimal amount of soldering/fabrication.

     

    Correct or add anything that i listed wrongly.

  • 0 in reply to supper_slash

    Sorry for the late reply!

    So far I have no favorite type of battery. For simplicity reasons I was thinking of a LiIon or maybe LiPo battery, as I guess most chargers are for this kind of battery. But as I said, there is no preferred type, so the battery could be chosen according to the charger.

     

    Your list is a good condensate of my requirements/wishes. I would say, 1 to 4 are a "must", 5 is a nice-to-have, so if there is no minimum/no-soldering solution, a perf-board solution would be fine as well...