Adafruit
Adafruit bq25185 USB / DC / Solar Charger with 5V Boost Board
· MPN: ADA6106
The Adafruit bq25185 with 5V Boost is an all-in-one charging and power supply board that supports USB, DC, and solar charging with an integrated 5V boost con...
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The Adafruit bq25185 with 5V Boost is an all-in-one charging and power supply board that supports USB, DC, and solar charging with an integrated 5V boost converter. It is designed for projects that need a stable 5V supply from a single-cell LiPo battery, eliminating the need for a separate voltage regulator.
Connect a 500 mAh or larger LiPo battery to the JST PH 2-pin port, charge via USB-C or DC/solar input, and power your 5V project directly from the regulated output. Smart power path management prioritises external power, sending excess current to the battery instead of constantly cycling it.
Key Features
- USB Type-C Input – 5V at up to 1A with 5.1k CC resistors for universal compatibility; data lines broken out on the bottom
- DC/Solar Input – 5–18V via side pads with near-MPPT solar optimisation
- Adjustable Charge Rate – Defaults to 1A, adjustable to 500 mA via jumper
- Smart Power Path – Prioritises external power, extends battery life by avoiding charge cycling
- 5V Regulated Output – TPS61023 boost converter delivering stable 5V at up to 1A
- Enable Pad – Disable the 5V boost converter when not needed
- Mounting Holes – For easy installation in enclosures
Status LEDs
- Orange – Charging
- Red – Fault
- Green – Output active
Also Available
- bq25185 with 3.3V Buck Board – Same charger with 3.3V regulated output instead
- bq25185 Charger (no regulator) – Base charger board without integrated voltage regulation
Ideal For
- Portable 5V battery-powered projects
- Solar-powered IoT devices
- Projects requiring USB + solar charging flexibility
- Powering 5V microcontrollers and sensors from a LiPo battery
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit bq25185 USB/DC/Solar Charger with 5V Boost Board
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- boost converter
- A boost converter is a switching power circuit that raises a lower input voltage to a higher output voltage. It is used when a device needs more voltage than its power source provides, for example running a 5 V sensor from a 3.3 V supply.
- DC
- DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.
- IoT
- Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
- JST PH
- A small keyed plug-and-socket connector with 2 mm pin spacing, often used for low-power electronics connections. You need the correct JST PH cable, and its current rating limits how much power should be passed through it.
- LiPo
- A LiPo (lithium polymer) battery is a rechargeable lithium battery widely used in portable projects because it is light and compact. LiPo cells need correct charging circuitry and careful handling to stay safe, so equipment that supports LiPo generally includes charging or protection hardware suited to that battery type.
- Power path
- A power path is the route electricity takes from one or more supplies to the circuit being powered. Understanding the power path helps you choose parts that can safely handle source selection, backup power, and supply switching.
- USB Type-C
- USB Type-C is a small, reversible USB connector used for power, data and sometimes video on many modern devices. The connector itself does not guarantee a particular speed or voltage, so check the supported USB version, data rate and whether it carries more than 5V via USB Power Delivery.
- USB-C
- USB-C is a small, reversible USB connector that can carry power, data and, on some devices, video over a single cable. The same connector can range from charging only to high-speed data, so the functions a given port actually supports vary.
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Related Tutorials
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