How to Install the Arduino to the Lithium Backpack

The Arduino is an open source hardware input and output circuit and the Lithium Backpack is a Ardino accessory that will power the Arduino when it is away from a computer or a wall power. These products are sold at Liquidware for under $34 each.

Step 1: Plug in the battery connector to the board.

The black wire should face the outside (away from the battery).

Comments

[Notbob]

Looks good, but what is an Ardino?

[Notbob]

*Arduino

[Severino]

The Arduino is an open source input and output board that is sold on Liquidware. You can learn more about the Arduino on the Arduino Website.

[offtherails2010]

AWESOME instructable & inspiring !

Unfortunately Liquidware is Extortionately Expensive !

Not so good for us lot who live on a shoestring !

I currently use Sony-Ericsson BST-38 Li-Po Batteries x 2 (3.6v Each, 7.2v Fully Charged !) and im working on a Back-Pack using these (commonly available) Batteries !

These are nice and thin too so keeping size to a minimum is easy !
(Plus Easy to Replace the Batteries when they become too old !)

Just some simple specs of using Sony Ericsson Batteries:

930mAh, 3.3Wh
3.6v Each
Recharged with any Sony Ericsson USB Battery Charger Cradle (Picked Up Very Cheap on ebay !)

[TXTCLA55]

You know you could have just used a 2.1mm jack and stripped the ends of it, determine positive and negative (negative normally is white) and plugged it into the external Ardunio power plug. That way you can use the ground and +5 headers for other stuff like servos or sensors. Anyways just a suggestion.

[gehrc]

How would this work for the 3.3v pin then? Same thing, just use the 3.3v connector on the battery pack?

[gehrc]

I'm guessing you can't use both 5v and 3.3v pins since it only outputs 4.2v? In this case, you just plug it into the 3.3v pin then from the 3.3v connector on the battery? Does this make it last longer?

[alien200049655]

Whats the voltage and amperage on the Li-Po battery, Is it rechargable?

[Severino]

Yes, The battery its self is 4.2V fully charged and the capacity ranges from 1,000mAh to 2,400mAh. Does that help answer your question?

[The nerdling]

why is you arduino all steampunkish?

[Jimmacle]

What do you mean by steampunkish? Looks normal to me.

[The nerdling]

in the pic your arduino is goldish so it looks like its steampunked

[alien200049655]

It's probably a result of the cameras picture quanlity, and lighting conditions at the time. But its creates a very nice antique picture look.

[inthebitz]

i just made another instructable for the same thing, except with using the arduino mega and the mega backpack over here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Powering-the-Arduino-Mega-with-a-Lithium-Battery/

[lordofthedonuts]

It's a great product but at a price higher than the Arduino itself, I don't know if it's worth it.

[ReCreate]

Well...I found One for about 2 Dollars Less...http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=666
Its 29 Dollars there...So...Yeah...

[Severino]

Good point... I guess it depends on the project. I actually use the low cap which is priced at $31.90. My current project is going to use the Arduino to control a LED matrix. It usually runs for 6 hours during the light show. -Mike

[computer_freak_8]

I have a question. You wrote "Power Switch: The Lithium Backpack will charge when the switch is in the left position (Chrg). The Backpack will output 5V and 3.3V when the switch is in the left position (Batt)." So... which one should say "the right position"? (They both say "the left position".) This is on the second picture on the "intro" step.

[Severino]

oops! yeah, the bat is the right position. sorry for the confusion.

[computer_freak_8]

Okay, thanks!