SparkFun
SparkFun LiPo Charger/Booster - 5V/1A
The SparkFun LiPo Charger/Booster is a compact board that charges a single-cell lithium polymer battery and boosts its output to a regulated 5V at up to 1A. ...
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The SparkFun LiPo Charger/Booster is a compact board that charges a single-cell lithium polymer battery and boosts its output to a regulated 5V at up to 1A. Built around the MCP73831 charge controller and PAM2401 boost converter, it's an economical solution for powering 5V projects from a LiPo cell.
Multiple connection types are provided for the battery, charge source, and power switch, giving you flexibility in your design. Protection diodes allow you to run multiple cells in series for higher voltage, and boards can be daisy-chained together for increased output. Two status LEDs provide feedback on charging and system state.
Key Features
- 5V / 1A Regulated Output – Boost converter delivers stable 5V from a single LiPo cell
- Built-In LiPo Charging – MCP73831 charge controller with USB or external power input
- Flexible Connections – Multiple connection options for battery, charge source, and switch
- Daisy-Chainable – Link multiple boards together for higher output
- Series Cell Support – Protection diodes for running multiple cells in series
- Status LEDs – Two LEDs indicate charge and system status
Specifications
- Output Voltage – 5V (regulated)
- Output Current – Up to 1A
- Charge Controller IC – MCP73831
- Boost Controller IC – PAM2401
- Input – USB or external charge source
Ideal For
- Portable 5V power supplies
- Battery-powered Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects
- Wearable electronics
- IoT devices requiring battery backup
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun LiPo Charger/Booster (5V/1A)
Resources
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- MCP73831
- A lithium battery charger chip used to safely charge a single-cell LiPo battery. It matters because it lets the board recharge a battery from USB or another input without needing a separate charger module.
Find this product in
Brands
SparkFun LiPo Charger/Booster 5V/1A Schematic
Schematic · 88.4 KB · Click any page to view full size
MCP73831 Datasheet
Datasheet · 823.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
PAM2401 Datasheet
Datasheet · 479.6 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 886.0 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
