Power Supply – June Theme Review
Power supplies are something we usually take for granted. So in June, we spotlighted these tools, to draw attention to some of the more exciting options out there. In case you missed them, we have highlighted the most notable choices below. Plus, we created a tool of our own. As you know, green energy is the environmentally correct choice for power, but it’s not always an option. So we made a simple USB solar charger(make one yourself?) which we used to charge a power bank.
When we think of LiPo batteries, we generally think of our 3.7V cell phone batteries. Did you know there are also large current LiPo batteries, as well? Our Polymer Lithium Ion Battery – 2200mAh 11.1V and Polymer Lithium Ion Battery – 2200mAh 7.4V give your project a bigger kick. They are industrial level batteries commonly used inside electronic bikes and radio-controlled gadgets. Due to the chain structures inside these powerful batteries, they need a specialized charger to juice them up, like the 2-3S Li-Poly Battery Charger or the LiPro Balance Charger – IMAX B6. These chargers can charge batteries comprised of multiple cells.The 2-3s Li-Poly Battery Charger is a simpler accessory that’s capable of charging 2 – 3 cells, while the LiPro Balance Charger – IMAX B6 is a professional digital balance charger that includes a microprocessor.
Power banks, like the one featured in the USB solar charger video above, are an ideal mobile power source for DIY projects. They also come in handy to power tablets, phones, etc. on long flights or other places where power is not readily available. They are reliable, convenient, and include a micro USB connector that will interface with most microcontrollers, cell phone wall chargers, and tablet wall chargers. We have two options the Power Bank – 5,000mAh and the Power Bank – 10,000mAh. Both banks are more than sufficient for running low power consumption IoT (Internet of Things) devices, but if you’re fueling a more power hungry appliance, like an iPad, the Power Bank – 5,000mAh will give you approximately 1 to 2 hours while the Power Bank – 10,000mAh will give you approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on your activity.
Different projects have different voltage requirements. It’s an annoying fact of life. Now we have a buck converter to make everything a little easier. The Adjustable DC/DC Power Converter (1.25V – 35V/3A) is a step-down converter that converts input voltage from 3.2V to 40V into 1.25V to 35V. It is a must-have for prototyping because all of your power needs (3.3V, 5V, 9V, etc.) will be available in one easy-to-use power converter.
In addition to the new products above, we have some other great items that fall under our power supply theme. Our Energy Shield, in a nut shell, is a LiPo battery power source for your Arduino. This shield is a safe alternative to other power sources, as it has overvoltage protection, and it accepts a large variety of power inputs too. Use the indicator LED lights, to let you know if it’s charging or in use. If you’re in a jam, you can also use it to power your mobile devices, as well.
Last but not least, we have the 3.6V Micro Hydro Generator, a renewable and sustainable energy option for applications harnessing the power of water. A voltage stabilizing circuit provides a steady output voltage and current when used in conjunction with the internal rechargeable battery. One classic application is the flashy LED shower head which uses water pressure to power the LED lights. Or if you need improved battery capacity, we also have the 3.6V Micro Hydro Generator Pro.
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