Introduction: 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).
Step 2: Plug the Ground Pin in With 22-24 Gauge Solid Core Wire.
Black wire is recommended to avoid confusion.
The wire will connect the Ground on the Arduino to the Ground on the Lithium Backpack.
Step 3: Plug the +5V Pin in With 22-24 Gauge Solid Core Wire
Red wire is recommended to avoid confusion.
The wire will connect the +5V pin on the Arduino to the +5V pin on the Lithium Backpack.
Step 4: To Power Your Arduino Flip the Switch to the Right Position
Batt is the position that provides +5V to the 5V pin.
Step 5: The USB Port on the Backpack Is Used to Charge the Backpack
The switch should be flipped to the left position (Charg) when charging the battery.
The orange led will be on when the battery is charging.
The Backpack can be charged in 3 different ways.
1.) Through the USB Type B-Mini Female port on the Lithium Backpack when it is attached to a computer.
2.) Through the Arduino when the Backpack is plugged into the Arduino and the Arduino is plugged into a computer.
3.) Through the Arduino when the Backpack is plugged into the Arduino and the Arduino is plugged into a wall power supply.
Step 6: Attaching the Backpack Allows the Arduino to Be Portable
Use the 2 plastic screws, spacers and nuts to attach the Backpack to the back of the Arduino.
Step 7: Lithium Backpack Theory
The life of the Lithium Backpack depends on the battery size and current draw of the Arduino application. For more information go to Liquidware.
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21 Discussions
3 years ago
great portable design
12 years ago on Introduction
Looks good, but what is an Ardino?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
*Arduino
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
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 !)
11 years ago on Step 5
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.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
How would this work for the 3.3v pin then? Same thing, just use the 3.3v connector on the battery pack?
8 years ago on Introduction
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?
9 years ago on Introduction
Whats the voltage and amperage on the Li-Po battery, Is it rechargable?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
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?
9 years ago on Introduction
why is you arduino all steampunkish?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
What do you mean by steampunkish? Looks normal to me.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
in the pic your arduino is goldish so it looks like its steampunked
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
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.
11 years ago on Introduction
i just made another instructable for the same thing, except with using the arduino mega and the mega backpack over here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Powering-the-Arduino-Mega-with-a-Lithium-Battery/
12 years ago on Introduction
It's a great product but at a price higher than the Arduino itself, I don't know if it's worth it.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
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...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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
12 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
oops! yeah, the bat is the right position. sorry for the confusion.