In anticipation of my Raspberry Pi arriving I have created a LiPo (Lithium Polymer) to Micro USB adapter. This adapter converts the power from a 2s – 4s LiPo to a regular 5v. This is then outputted through a Micro USB to be plugged into a Raspberry Pi board. I will be using this to power the Pi when I use it as a ground station for my Arducopter (Which will be a whole new Instructable).
Unfortunately due to the frustration of my PCB etching attempts failing I forgot to take build photos. I only took a few once I was finished, hopefully it will be enough. I hope you all can figure out how it all fits together from the diagrams and photos. I have tried my best to explain what I did.
Please let me know if there is anything confusing you.
Step 1: What you need
Parts that you need:
- 1x veriboard/perfboard
- 1x 7805 Voltage regulator
- 2x 25v 10uf electrolytic capacitors
- 1x Micro USB cable
- 1x Deans Plug (Whatever Plug you use on your LiPo’s)
- 1x Small cable tie
Tools:
- Side clippers
- Soldering Iron
- Heat source to shrink the heat shrink (I used a hair dryer)
- Solder
- Hack saw to cut the board down to size
Step 2: Failed PCB’s and Schematic
My original plan was to print my own PCB and use that but after two failed attempts I gave up and simply build a simpler version on Veriboard. Once I was thoroughly frustrated from my one hundredth attempt at printing my own PCB failing, I drew up a schematic of a very simply Voltage regulator circuit. The capacitors are not strictly needed as this is not rectified AC but it doesn’t hurt to put them in.
For more detail: LiPo to MicroUSB adapter
