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SparkFun ProtoBoard - Koala (USB+PTH)

We asked ourselves what we would want in a project board. What would an ideal platform for most any given project look like? After putting a laundry list together of 'wants' and 'needs', we created the SparkFun Protoboards. We hope you like it as much as we do.

The marsupial naming convention is what happens when you let Engineers into a Marketing meeting. They looked so happy, we just couldn't tell them no. Koala is the board with USB serial, charging, and PTH proto.

This is a project board specially designed to fit the Sparkfun Enclosures. The board provides the user with 3.3V and 5V regulated rails from a single Lithium Polymer battery. USB serial communication is also on-board with an FTDI FT232 USB chip, with selectable 3.3V or 5V logic. Many of the serial pins of the FT232RL, including RTS, are broken out. Finally, the board has a generous prototyping area for through-hole components (2.54mm, 100mil spaced holes).

A LiPo battery plugs into the provided JST connector, and charging is available over USB. The latest version of this board has a revised charging circuit featuring the MCP73831!

Replaces:PRT-08722

  • 3.3V@100mA
  • 5V@265mA (DC-DC Step Up)
  • LiPo Battery Connection (3.8V nominal)
  • USB-Serial TTL connection
  • Large Prototyping Area for PTH
  • Fits our SparkFun Project Case

SparkFun ProtoBoard - Koala (USB+PTH) Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

2 Soldering

Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
See all skill levels

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.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels

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.

  • Johnny Trebuchet / about 11 years ago * / 4

    Could you guys please tie your holes together. It is so much easier to cut a trace than to jump pins. This is especially important for surface mount pads. Something like this would be a good start:

    • o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o
    • o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o
    • o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o
    • o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o o-o

    Better yet would be to run power and ground up and down as well.

    • dwilson / about 11 years ago / 1

      Or holes like this board would be great... https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8813 ... The extra 2 holes on each pad are great for 32 AWG wire. The large pads are also great for SMD.

    • AD8BC / about 11 years ago / 1

      +1. same reason I don't like the Sparkfun proto shields,I use lots of DIP ICs and they are so much easier to use with at least a small breadboard-style area on the board. Even with descrete components you can usually arrange these better with some tied-together holes.

    • timothy1324 / about 11 years ago / 1

      A board that does this is the RadioShack 276-168 board here: https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103800. However, I do like the circuitry that SparkFun has on this one, just not the individual PTH holes.

      • BBB / about 11 years ago * / 1

        Thanks for the tip about the RadioShack board. I've been using the protostack board (http://www.protostack.com/boards/prototyping/prototyping-board-half-size-style-1) which is similar and maybe slightly better but takes a full month to arrive in the US from Australia. When I run out of my supply I'll give the RadioShack one a try. It's hugely useful to have just a board with the holes tied in groups and a +/- rail. Perfect for project using arduino mini + other small modules and discrete components. Maybe Sparkfun should consider distributing the protostack.

        • Member #379852 / about 11 years ago / 1

          Some more good prototyping boards are the "perma-proto" boards from Adafruit. You can get them here: https://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=adasearch&q=perma-proto and here: http://www.makershed.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=perma-proto&Submit=Search

          These are MUCH nicer than the Radio Shack boards. The holes are plated through with pads on both sides, so they are a lot less likely to come off with to much heat(plus you can solder from the bottom or top). If you use solderless breadboards, the layout on these matches them so you can easily transfer a circuit from one.

          • timothy1324 / about 11 years ago / 1

            Thank you so much for the tip about the Adafruit boards! They are definetly much better than the RadioShack boards. I have had that problem once before with the traces falling off. The PTH are much better. SparkFun should consider selling some of these.

  • aMeyer / about 11 years ago / 2

    Seriously, I'd love to have a board with just the lipo charging circuit with 3.3v and 5v out at the same time. (and charging over USB).

  • WayneO / about 10 years ago / 1

    If you tie the pins together, I will NEVER buy another one... Soldering pins together is NOT a big deal... And the board layout is MUCH more flexible as it is.

  • Member #60510 / about 10 years ago * / 1

    I like the board since it has a lithium battery charger IC. Unfortunately, it is too small for the project that i would like to build, so it would be nice if Sparkfun offered the MCP73831 on a breakout board. 5/4/14 never mind, I just saw the USB LiPoly Charger board in the new product section.

  • WayneO / about 11 years ago / 1

    If you tie the holes together, let me know so I can buy my boards elsewhere... I'd much rather connect the required holes together with bus wire than fight the process of using a blade to seperate unneeded pins.

  • MattiasF / about 11 years ago / 1

    Missing the data sheet under the Documents section: https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/General/ProtoBoardv1-DS.pdf

    • Toni_K / about 11 years ago / 1

      That data sheet is slightly outdated, but overall the information is still helpful. Thanks for catching that!

  • timothy1324 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Could you make a version of the board like Member #40762 describes where the pins are connected similarly to the RadioShack board described here: https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103800. Would help us people who can't do anything with the individual PTH holes. Thanks.

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