DIY Boost Converter || How to Step Up DC Voltage Efficiently

In this project I will show you an efficient and common way how to step up DC voltages. I will also demonstrate how easy it can be to build a boost converter with the help of an ATtiny85. Let's get started!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you all the information you need to create your own boost converter. The next steps just contain additional information for your convenience.

Step 2: Order Your Components!

Here is a list of all the parts that you need with example sellers (affiliate links):

Aliexpress:

1x ATtiny85: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVaIID1

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWhSrDl

1x 100µH Coil: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dU3eskP

2x 47µF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF

1x 1N5819 Schottky Diode: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYR45Bh

2x 10kΩ, 1x 1kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 100Ω Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

2x PCB Terminal: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYbstfZ

Perfboard: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXx2Zv5

Ebay:

1x ATtiny85: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 100µH Coil: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 47µF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 1N5819 Schottky Diode: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x 10kΩ, 1x 1kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 100Ω Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x PCB Terminal: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Perfboard: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

1x ATtiny85: http://amzn.to/1E9ubfB

1x IRLZ44N MOSFET: http://amzn.to/1Osfnxn

1x 100µH Coil: http://amzn.to/1OsfxVz

2x 47µF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/1OsfIjE

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: http://amzn.to/1OsfBEN

1x 1N5819 Schottky Diode: http://amzn.to/1OsfwBc

2x 10kΩ, 1x 1kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 100Ω Resistor: http://amzn.to/1E9uEhN

2x PCB Terminal: http://amzn.to/1GzZAZw

Perfboard: http://amzn.to/1YAqPI8

Step 3: Build the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic for the project and reference pictures. The soldering process takes around 45 minutes if you know what you are doing.

Step 4: Upload the Code!

In order to upload the code to the ATtiny85 you can use an Arduino Uno. Here is an older video of mine in which I demonstrated how to do that:

Step 5: Success!

You did it! You just created your own Boost Converter!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[BuffS1]

Why on Earth would anyone want to go to the trouble and expense of building this boost converter (whose parts cannot be obtained for less than $20) when a better quality module can be purchased for around $3 ??? I can get SIX (6) ready-made modules for less than the cost of the parts!!!

[nzube]

It all about learning

[mickeypop]

mine can drive 4 amps almost all under $20 drive around 80-300 miliAmps. - a few drive near 1 Amp - have not found any cheap that can drive that much

1 scrap toroid $0
10 ft bell wire about 10 cents
1 salvage FET -- $0
2 schotky diodes 87 cents/ each - $1.74
3 junk caps -- $0
a few spare resistors about 15 cents
vector board 54 cents worth
NET COST out of pocket -- $2.53 - that's why

[MatthewM156]

But using an 8 bit computer to regulate voltage ? Hard for anyone to maintain in your absence if and when it fails. You would need to supply spares. I don't mind people using op-amps instead of transistors, but I am against using Arduinos instead of 555 timers, say. Yes it is fun, but why drive in thumbtacks with sledgehammers ? Good effort though, people will replicate to see what tweaking can be done. Not enough younger people doing this anymore. My wife has a Masters, and has *never* used a soldering iron. Many people are no longer comfortable buying discrete components any more either. I was so happy to see Nixies in Tomorrowland ! Please do something with Nixies...

[Shaikh Muhammad]

MatthewM156, I have same question, why we have to use a programmed computer instead of any pn junction configuration?

[ChristopherA8]

The microcontroller is more flexible but I agree it would be cool to see a version of this project that doesn't use a microcontroller. I suspect it would push up the cost/complexity a little

[MatthewM156]

To be fair, any generic high frequency boost controller with a feedback pin works the same way, this is just revisiting the fundamentals. Google 1.2MHz boost for devices that drive a coil via mosfet through a Schottky diode. The comparator and reference work the same way. Just buy that. - or an encapsulated package. But this guy is still a legend for revisiting these fundamentals, and my comment is a little harsh. I love T85's but I can get a "Pro Mini" with an Atmega168 for the same price.

[Shaikh Muhammad]

Copy that

[mickeypop]

you miss the point
he shows how to develop it
just taking off the shelf parts to do it was not the point

[ChristopherA8]

It's a microcontroller not a computer. As a solid state component it's not any more or less prone to failure than any other component in this project

[BuffS1]

99-cents (FREE shipping) ... I bought 10 of them:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381544971857

Much better, more capabilities/range = $2.97 (plus modest shipping) ... I got 7 at this great price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331727051544

[GreatScottLab]

This site is called "Instructables". Not "Just buy a premade board"

[_PurplePower_]

XD yeah. Thanks for giving us Instrucitions! :D

[hinkey]

Well said - this project like most projects on Instructables are to inspire and relay how items are made. So on behalf of some of these negative comments a BIG THANK YOU from me :)

[dayisi]

Where can I get as this alternative with the circuit diagram and component list

[samuelnoahschreiber]

You can buy any Boost Converter for less than 3$, but you won´t understand how it works. This Boost Converter is build as a tutorial to understand it.

[KROKKENOSTER]

Diud you do shopping around? Here in RSA the one supplier's was for an I.C. so high that I could get the same make and type of I.C. and all the components from another plus a box and vero board !!!

[BuffS1]

The title of this website is "Instructables' which tends to suggest there ought to be some "instructions" ... that was my main quibble about this project ... the DEARTH of "instruction" (along with the lack of any clearly-stated purpose or introduction). Cost is a completely secondary issue (unless it's the cost of my time that's being wasted ... and I consider that always a primary concern).

[jdamama]

so you really take more of your o so precious time to type out a comment like this? You are a confusing person. Why not just move on and leave the comments section for information or questions

[BuffS1]

I ALWAYS shop-around (I have been an inveterate shopper-arounder for over a half-century). That's how I know that there's NO WAY (no matter how much they claim it) that you can acquire the parts to built this boost converter for less-than the $3 a ready-made module would cost (even if you have devices you can scavenge for parts ... and I have a warehouse full of them ... which I regularly scavenge for parts to build my projects) ... AND, that's not considering the outrageous cost you will pay in your time expended ... in actually finding/extracting the right parts, but also in the time spent fiddling-around trying to adjust the circuit to work with a part that's not an identical match to those specified. You may not consider your time as very valuable, but being an old codger with one-foot-in-the-grave-already, I find that every hour of my time grows in value day-by-day ... so, I'm not into wasting any of it needlessly. Besides, there are much easier (and cheaper) ways to "learn" this circuit ... worlds of online instructional materials about boost-converter circuits. And, yes, as I've already acknowledged, for me, the "thrill" of building a successful project is what has always been my primary motivation-and-reward for building electronic projects and kits ... and I agree with the point-of-view presented by many that there is no substitute for the efficacy of learning through actual "hands-on" building and experimentation ... BUT, I still hold to the opinion that trying to build such a project as the one described here (without any but the most scatter-brained and unclear directions) is a waste-of-time (even more so for a novice than for an old-hand like me) and MONEY ...

@ MickeyPop ... if you ACTUALLY believe your cost estimates are accurate (and I don't think you or anyone else here is that dumb), then you probably also believe that the Pentagon can buy a hammer for less than $400, or Trump's whole line of BS ... ha ha ha ah ah aha ha ha!