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SparkFun Adjustable LiPo Charger

The SparkFun Adjustable LiPo Charger is a single-cell lithium polymer (LiPo) and lithium ion battery charger. Because it’s adjustable, this charger will be able to safely charge most of our single-cell batteries with ease. With its onboard charge rate selector, you will be able to set the maximum amount of current to charge your battery from 15mA to 500mA.

Once the board is configured for the battery, you can connect power from either a microUSB cable or the pins below the USB connector labeled GND and INPUT. Once power is connected, you can install a single LiPo battery to one of the three battery connectors, the JST connector, PTH pins marked BATT, or the 2450 coin cell holder on the back of the board. The input voltage for the MCP73831 charger IC is between 3.75V and 6V. To fully charge a LiPo battery, it is recommended to have a voltage of around 5V. The charge IC will regulate the voltage down to safely charge the LiPo battery.

Note: The switches on the Adjustable LiPo Charger come shipped with all the switches in the ON position. Before configuring the board, all the switches should be moved to the OFF position.

Get Started with the SparkFun Adjustable LiPo Charger Guide

  • Operating Voltage: 3.75V to 6V
  • Adjustable Current: 15mA--500mA
  • Three Battery Input Options
    • JST Connector
    • PTH Pins
    • Coin Cell Holder (2450)
  • Charge Status LED
  • Custom Charge Rate Settings

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SparkFun Adjustable LiPo Charger Product Help and Resources

Adjustable LiPo Charger Hookup Guide

September 28, 2017
The SparkFun Adjustable LiPo Charger is a single-cell lithium polymer (LiPo) and lithium ion battery charger. Because it’s adjustable, this charger will be able to safely charge all of our singe-cell batteries.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Patronics / about 4 years ago / 1

    Does anyone know of a good device similar to this, but capable of charging multi-cell (in series) lipos?

    I'm puzzled by the fact I haven't been able to find a good thing to just build into a project, allowing easy battery charging while the device is in use, just by plugging it in.

    Any suggestions are welcome!

    • santaimpersonator / about 4 years ago / 1

      Hi there, it sounds like you are looking for technical assistance. Please use the link in the banner above, to get started with posting a topic in our forums. Our technical support team will do their best to assist you.

      That being said, multi-cell batteries are trickier because the cells need to be balanced between each other. You will want an actual battery charger for that.

  • Member #1433886 / about 6 years ago / 1

    Can this be used to build a device charger? Like using this with the SparkFun USB Type A Female Breakout to build a charger capable of handling cell phones, tablets, etc?

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 ratings:

Currently viewing all customer reviews.

2 of 2 found this helpful:

simple, little and reliable

by verified purchaser

I charged continuously18650 cells with no problems

3 of 4 found this helpful:

OK if you are careful

by verified purchaser

I tried to measure the voltage across the system using the battery +/- vias, but ended up bumping the leads of my multimeters together and burning out the board in an instant.

Maybe put the vias farther apart or figure out another way to let us measure battery voltage?

Quality PLUS!

by verified purchaser

Although Sparkfun had run out of the 2450 coin cells, a quick web search (I do not use the "G" word for web search, I have not Voluntarily used goo gle for fifteen years), provided me with several good places to purchase them, and my FIRST 4 will arrive 03/09/2020!

I am currently designing a small project to add Warning Lights to my CANE, as I no longer drive, and I have become aware that "Flashing Lights, etc" help Drivers to NOT HIT Me! Besides using several local Transportation Departments to assist me, and my flashing bicycle LED has helped them see me!

That device is bulky, does not stay put, and is Not Waterproof (broken lense).

That is a long Prelude to saying the Adjustable LiPo Charger WAS initially purchased for the 18650's but I like the idea of the 2450's smaller size and weight.

The Coin Holder I am using has enough area to add my other needed items (555 IC, switches, etc, and will have a permanent home upon my cane, it is recycled from a dead Apple device to plug in iPod's PLUS weatherproof, as I live in the Great Pacific North WET!!!