This is super simple but very useful if you are in a hurry or just like to do things yourself and on the off chance you didn't know, this is about the easiest way to add mobile power to your Arduino.
After looking at a number of battery power solutions for Arduino ranging from Lithium Backpacks to Minty Boost kits I decided I didn't want something even that complicated. Granted, the 9 Volt isn't the most efficient battery for the job and it's expensive compared to others, but it is widely available and compact.
It is also possible to wire a battery adapter directly to the pins but I wanted to use the DC power jack and not have any wires running to the pins than I have to.
I did this for my Mega but it should work with any of the Arduino boards with a 2.1mm jack. You can use either the 2.1 X 5 or the 2.1 X 5.5, both will fit. 9V DC is right in the middle of the ideal range for the on board power management circuitl. So, no resistors, caps or other components are needed. (They are rated up to 12V but I don't think I'm brave enough to test it with a Mega since you can't just replace the chip if you cook it.)
You can buy these assembled from Adafruit but I needed a couple of them and didn't want to wait for the mail or pay shipping. You only save a few dollars but you get to do it yourself and you have the option of extending the leads if you need to.
After looking at a number of battery power solutions for Arduino ranging from Lithium Backpacks to Minty Boost kits I decided I didn't want something even that complicated. Granted, the 9 Volt isn't the most efficient battery for the job and it's expensive compared to others, but it is widely available and compact.
It is also possible to wire a battery adapter directly to the pins but I wanted to use the DC power jack and not have any wires running to the pins than I have to.
I did this for my Mega but it should work with any of the Arduino boards with a 2.1mm jack. You can use either the 2.1 X 5 or the 2.1 X 5.5, both will fit. 9V DC is right in the middle of the ideal range for the on board power management circuitl. So, no resistors, caps or other components are needed. (They are rated up to 12V but I don't think I'm brave enough to test it with a Mega since you can't just replace the chip if you cook it.)
You can buy these assembled from Adafruit but I needed a couple of them and didn't want to wait for the mail or pay shipping. You only save a few dollars but you get to do it yourself and you have the option of extending the leads if you need to.
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
1 9V battery snap connector
1 Coaxial plug 5X2.1(K) size is probably best but the 5.5X2.1(M) will also work
A couple inches of 1/8 inch shrink tube and an inch or two of 1/16 inch
Optional
A few inches of 27 X 1 3/8 inner tube. The 1 3/8 is the important part
An inch or two of Velcro
Tools
Soldering iron and solder
Wire cutters
Hobby knife or scissors
1 Coaxial plug 5X2.1(K) size is probably best but the 5.5X2.1(M) will also work
A couple inches of 1/8 inch shrink tube and an inch or two of 1/16 inch
Optional
A few inches of 27 X 1 3/8 inner tube. The 1 3/8 is the important part
An inch or two of Velcro
Tools
Soldering iron and solder
Wire cutters
Hobby knife or scissors
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I don't think a hair dryer will get hot enough, even after a while, to shrink the tubing. Most people i know use a lighter or soldering iron. Just be sure to keep your heat source moving so as to shrink and not burn the tubing.
Good luck with your projects!
I have to ask a question though, why wouldn't you just insert wires into Vin and Gnd? You still need the 9V snap thing though.
I wish the manufacturers made this information more clear. It's a lot easier to power Arduino's than it at first seems. Especially when people are building all manner of things from solar chargers to Minty Boost kits for that. Those are great but this is far more simple, fast and easy if you don't want to go that way. My only improvement will be adding a Joule thief circuit once I make sure it won't cook the board or be underpowered. Shouldn't be an issue, I just haven't gotten to it yet.
There were two reasons I didn't wire directly to the pins;
I wanted to keep the it as clean as possible and didn't want wires running to the pins when a nice clean plug was available. It's also easier to disconnect when I'm running the Arduiono through the USB.
I also have more than one Arduino and liked the option of switching the adapter between them if one breaks or I only have on on hand.
Ultimately it's an extra $.99 component and makes for a better build for my needs. In a robot, or some other more permanent application, I think wiring direct to VIN and Gnd as well as removing the socket could be useful.
I can myself making ?
So again, while admittedly super simple it's useful and I thought it worth sharing for those that might not know. It's also a heck of a lot more compact than a minty boost.
:)