USB charged LiPo 10,000mah

[Plumby101]

Hi.

I'm hoping someone can help. I'm hoping to power a race timing unit I've created via LiPo, 10,000mah. I'm using the battery to power 2 X USB device (5v), a Pi Zero and a little WiFi router. Can someone suggest a battery and charger module combo that will allow me to charge to battery via USB and for the battery to output 5v?

Thanks

 

[rjenkinsgb]

A decent size USB power bank rated for rather higher current output than you need.
That has everything already included.

They are almost certainly cheaper than separate parts; just make sure it's from a good supplier with a warranty, as many "high capacity" unbranded ones have fake capacities - sometimes like extra zeros fake.

 

[Plumby101]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, this is the route I went down originally. I (carefully!) took apart a unit and then used that in the system. The issue I now have is that that unit is no longer available and I've based my 3D print around it. I would rather use a combination of components that are readily available that re-design my case around another brand of phone batter and have that then be discontinued again.
I've included an image below, showing how the current (but now unavailable) phone battery is embedded. It actually works really well.

 

[Plumby101]

Sorry, one further point. I found a component on Adafruit that may work. Not currently available but seems to do everything I need https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465

 

[rjenkinsgb]

OK, I thought you may need more than 1A.

The DFRobot DFR0446 appears to be an equivalent to the ADAFruit module, and that is available from Mouser, Farnell etc.

(And it's cheaper!)

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/DFRobot/DFR0446?qs=0lQeLiL1qybISt7lcUJdOg%3D%3D

 

[Plumby101]

That is a way cheaper unit and available. The adafruit board has some useful functions on board, like led outputs for 'charging', 'low battery' states which would be useful for my current application of this.

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Also, if you want a good source of cheap but decent 18650 cells, look for new replacement 9 cell / 7800mAH laptop batteries on ebay - you can find them for less than £2 per cell and easily split them down.
eg.

9 Cell Laptop Battery for ASUS K53 K53E K84L P54 X53SV X53E X54C X54HR A42-K53 | eBay

ASUS K53 Series. ASUS K53B ASUS K53BY ASUS K53E ASUS K53F ASUS K53J ASUS K53JA ASUS K53JC ASUS K53JE ASUS K53JF ASUS K53JG ASUS K53JN ASUS K53JS ASUS K53JT ASUS K53S ASUS K53SA ASUS K53SC ASUS K53SD ASUS K53SE.

www.ebay.co.uk

Carefully split any series connecting strips at the centre with good cutters & fold the stubs back over the centre of the cell ends; it leaves you with cells that have "solder tags" at a fraction the cost of good quality commercial tagged cells.

I use loads of them..

 

[Plumby101]

That's a neat hack! I'm not super confident wiring up batteries. I've managed to find a 10,000mah lipo for £12. I'm going to use a LiPo Rider Plus Charger/Booster to charge it. There is more info on that device here...

LiPo Rider Plus Charger/Booster - 5V/2.4A USB Type C

LiPo Rider Plus Charger/Booster - 5V/2.4A USB Type C Features not only a Fast Charger but also a Strong PowerBoost Can charge the Lipo battery much faster Has an onboard charge status indicator Includes a single-layer layout easy mount

www.robotshop.com

I'll report back on how this pans out.