Table of Contents
LiPO Shield Kit Tutorial
Product Description:
The LiPo Charger and Boost Shield Kit allows you to use and charge single cell LiPo batteries with the Digispark development board. The LiPo Charger and Boost Shield boosts a 2-4.5v supply to 5v and connects directly to the Digispark. When the on-board switch is flipped it draws 5v from the Digispark and charges the attached single cell LiPo battery.
This is an partially assembled kit and requires basic soldering. All surface mount soldering is already done for you. This is designed for use with the Digispark development board, which is not included.
Parts:
| Part | Quantity | Identification |
|---|---|---|
| LiPo Shield PCB with 22uf, MCP, and XL already attached | 1 | |
| 10uf Ceramic Capacitor | 1 | |
| 3mm Red LED | 1 | |
| 2.2uh Inductor | 1 | |
| 10k ohm 1/4 W resistor 1% or 5% | 3 | Brown - Black - Orange |
| 2k ohm 1/6 W resistor 1% or 5% | 1 | Red - Black - Red |
| 75k ohm 1/4 W resistor 1% | 1 | Violet - Green - Black - Red |
| 1N4148 Diode | 1 | |
| 2-pin JST PH RA Male Connector | 1 | |
| 1x40pin male 0.1“ pitch header | 9 pins worth | |
| 1 Switch | 1 |
Soldering: If you are new to soldering we recommend the following tutorials: Soldering Basics (http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/106) and Soldering Crash Course from the folks at Sparkfun (http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/354). How to solder from the Curious Inventor: http://store.curiousinventor.com/guides/How_to_Solder
Adafruit has this excellent guide that starts with the tools needed and then shows detailed pictures, including some of the common problems that beginners experience (http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering)
We assume for these assembly instructions that you know the basics of thru-hole soldering. If you don't check out the links above, these boards are very easy to solder - we promise!
Assembly:
Empty kit bag (or if using a raw PCB, aquire parts) and verify contents.
Insert the diode ensuring the directional strip on the diode is on the same side as the printed stripe on the board. Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Insert the two 2.2uh inductor. Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Insert the 10uf capacitor. Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Insert the red LED - ensuring the longer lead goes into the hole with the plus sign next to it (outside edge of the board). Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Insert the 2-pin JST connector and solder the leads on the bottom.
Insert the switch - use tape if needed to hold it in place - solder the leads on the bottom.
Insert the two 10k and one 75k resistors in the corresponding spots (the 75k spot may be labeled 73k - that is OK). Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Insert either the 2k or 10k resistor into the Prog spot. Use the 2k for a charge rate of 500ma, use the 10k for a rate of 100ma. If you don't know which to use, we recommend the 10k, it will result in a slower charge, but with less heat and less power draw from the USB/Digispark. Solder the leads and clip off the excess.
Cut a length of male headers 6 pins long and one 3 pins long. Insert into corresponding positions (on the bottom of the board) and solder each pin.
Tip: Inserting the headers into a breadboard and then placing the board on top can make this process easier.
Note: If you are using stackable headers, use them here instead of the standard male headers.
Usage:
CAUTION: Using a damaged battery, reversing battery polarity, shorting any part of the power system while powered by battery, or in any other way using a LiPo battery improperly can cause serious injury, death, and/or fire.
Plug a single cell LiPo battery into the JST connector. To charge connect 5V to the Digispark or plug it into a USB power source and turn the switch to CHG. To power turn the switch to ON and unplug any other power source.
