Creating a PI4, USB3 power connection.

Question

OK, Im probably taking the LONG way around this, but Im having a lot of fun and learning stuff so maybe if you could help answer my question than point out how ridiculous it is and that there a MUCH simpler way.......

I want to power things from battery, no biggie there are LOTS of RASPI battery packs out there.

But there 2 issues, that I see:

1) most of them are kind of small 3700mwAh or so,

AND

2) all of them that I have seen, currently, end in a micro USB2 connector

so I found a nice battery seems big enough for what I want, but of course IT has a barrel connector on it.

SO rather than ruin the way the battery is currently constructed I bought a female barrel connecter, and IM ready to wire it up!

But from what I can find, USBC/3. has 2 sets of power wires, where as micro USB2 has only 2.

Do I solder the 2 + and 2 - together and then onto barrel connector?

Do I only NEED the 2 wires that are used in micro USB2?

Im sure I'M overthinking this, but my college electronics class was many many years ago

Ideas and suggestions appreciated.

J

gdstew · Accepted Answer

Hi,

A question first. Does the battery you bought have a buck, boost, or buck/boost DC/DC converter to convert the battery voltage to the +5V the Pi uses?

If it doesn't you are going to have to buy one that can supply at least 3 amps at 5V.

The USB 3 C connector has 4 power/ground pins so that it doesn't care which way you plug it in, it just works. You should be able to use just 2 wires

because the 2 + and 2 - connector pins are connected together on the Pi PCB. You need to use 18 AWG (gauge) wire for both wires to handle 3 amps.

It is never a bad idea to be cautious when connecting DC power to an electronic device. They tend to best case not work, or worst case stop working

forever when you do it wrong.