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12V Step-Up Voltage Regulator U3V16F12

12V Step-Up Voltage Regulator U3V16F12

We have ✅ 9 available of the PL-4945 in our Sydney warehouse.

Express post delivery (2-5 business days)

The Pololu U3V16F12 is a compact switching step-up (boost) voltage regulator that generates a fixed 12V output from input voltages as low as 1.3V (after start-up). It handles continuous input currents up to approximately 1.5A with a typical efficiency of 85–95%, making it ideal for battery-powered projects that need a stable 12V rail.

The board measures just 0.32″ × 0.515″ with 0.1″ pin spacing, so it drops straight into standard breadboards and perfboards. A minimum start-up voltage of 2.7V is required, but once running, the regulator continues to operate with inputs down to 1.3V.

Key Features

  • 12V Fixed Output – Stable boost output from inputs as low as 1.3V (2.7V minimum start-up)
  • High Efficiency – 85–95% typical switching efficiency
  • 1.5A Continuous Input Current – With 2A instantaneous current limiting
  • Ultra-Compact – 0.32″ × 0.515″ board with 0.1″ pin spacing
  • Built-In Protections – Cycle-by-cycle current limiting, under-voltage lockout, and over-temperature shutdown

Specifications

  • Output Voltage – 12V (fixed)
  • Input Voltage – 1.3V minimum operating / 2.7V minimum start-up
  • Max Continuous Input Current – ~1.5A (up to ~1.6A for short durations)
  • Instantaneous Current Limit – 2A
  • Efficiency – 85–95% typical
  • Board Dimensions – 0.32″ × 0.515″ (8.1 × 13.1 mm)
  • Pin Spacing – 0.1″ (2.54 mm)

Ideal For

  • Boosting single-cell or multi-cell battery packs to 12V
  • Powering 12V sensors, relays, or LEDs from lower-voltage sources
  • Compact embedded systems needing a 12V supply rail
  • Breadboard and perfboard prototyping

Package Contents

  • 1× U3V16F12 Step-Up Voltage Regulator
Warning: This boost regulator connects the input to the output through an inductor and diode with no isolation. The input voltage passes through to the output even when the regulator is disabled. Do not expose to short circuits or excessive loads, and do not apply reverse voltage — doing so will damage the regulator.
Note: The output current available depends on the boost ratio (VOUT / VIN). The higher the boost ratio, the lower the maximum output current. For example, boosting from 3.3V to 12V yields less output current than boosting from 5V to 12V.

The 12V Step-Up Voltage Regulator U3V16F12 appears in the following collections:

SKU PL-4945
by Pololu