RASPBERRY PI FREE STYLE POWERING (RPI POWER SUPPLY HACK)

This is a tutorial that enables you to power your Raspberry PI2 / Raspberry PI B+ form any power sources that supplies voltage between 6.5V up to 20V and current >1A.

I used as power source the 19V wall adapter from one old BENQ notebook.

This hack is useful also in configuration where gel-Lead(Pb) rechargeable batteries are used as power supply.

Time needed:

• between 15 to 30 minutes

Skills required:

• soldering

Step 1: Gathering Parts and Tools

Parts:

• 1pcs. x g-SPS 5V version switching power supply
• 1pcs. x 2.1mm/2.5mm barrel power jack (choose one that fits with your wall adapter) or see "Barrel jack alternative" and g-SPS reference later
• 1pcs. x 3 pins standard 0.1"/2.54mm row-header 90 degrees or straight
• connecting wires x2

Tools:

• soldering iron
• small pliers / clip

Step 2: Soldering the Connectors

Remove the central pin from the pin-header using the pliers or the clip.

Solder the pin-header (see the two pictures).

Solder the barrel connector (optional, see "Barrel jack alternative" in next step).

Check for short-circuits.

Step 3: Wire the Boards Together

Connect the wires as shown in the header picture.

You are ready. Enjoy!

DO NOT REVERSE THE POLARITY! DO NOT MAKE SHORT CIRCUITS!

WARNING: THIS POWERING CONFIGURATION BYPASS THE RPI BUILT IN POWERING PROTECTION!

Barrel jack alternative:

• you can use 2pin standard 0.1"(2.54 mm) soldered to the +Vext and GND pads, as input power source connector. See details on g-SPS reference bellow.

References:

• g-SPS 5V version [PN. gSPS102#5V(LiPOL)]
• Raspberry PI 2 / Raspberry PI B+ / Raspberry PI ZERO extension pin out

If you enjoyed this small how to, just give it a like. :)

You may like to read my other RPI related instructables:

• RPI send SMS gateway. Integrate SMS with other application.
• Raspberry PI USB vs. SERIAL communication with a-gsm shield

Comments

[AjkT1]

Well, this is the DIY way for sure. Nice write up to give some expanded options for powering the PI with the wide voltage range, but if your like me and just want to easy solution that is cheap you can get one of these dual Raspberry pi Orange Pi power adapters for under $7 shipped.

[Blue_Prairie]

Hi Dragos,

This says for all versions of the pi, but pi3 requires much more current than this power switching board can supply it only even bursts @1a and 600ma typical, anyone trying this on a pi3 will simply get the dreaded undervoltage lightning bolt on the screen, if it even booted at all.

Also, you do make brief mention that it removed the protection, but perhaps should state a bit more detail that the usual usb in has short circuit protection and you really need to make a protection circuit of your own to then power via GPIO safely, and this design/make does NOT do that so they really do not want to run their pi's for any length of time with this make.

[Dragos Iosub]

Hi Blue_Prairie,

First, I thank you for your time spent for reading my instructable.

Anyway, I just mention: "THIS POWERING CONFIGURATION BYPASS THE RPI BUILT IN POWERING PROTECTION!" I did not say g-SPS has no protection.;)

You will be surprised to find, but this implementation it really works! I have tens of RPI3 deployed powered via g-SPS 5V version (in production environment, running IoT application, some of them having embedded 2G modem using the same g-SPS 5V power supply).

.

This g-SPS 5V version power supply has more current capabilities as specified. Also, you will be surprised to find about the place where you can add a electrolytic capacitor (Eg.: 1000-2200uF/6.3V as is implemented in the g-SPS 4V version), in order to increase the pulse current capability.

Also, as more convenient implementation, you can use the g-SPS 5V board in conjunction with i-hatGSM3G adapted board, as described bellow:

http://itbrainpower.net/a-gsm/i-hatGSM3G_d-u3G_c-u...

Your definitely must test it! :)

Regards,

Dragos

[Dragos Iosub]

Hi Rick,

Not all power supplies can be used with Raspberry Pi. All version of RPi needs a stable power source with supplying voltage a little bit more than 5V (around 5.15V -> 5.25V), and current up to 1-1.5A. g-SPS 5V version fulfill those criteria.

More of that, replicating this instructable, you can replace the standard way of powering Raspberry Pi (via USB connector) and have more advantages, like:

- power from any other wall power adapters (that supplies 6.5-20V and 1A at output), even if does not have USB connector.

- reuse your old wall power adapters. Eg.: old notebook wall power adapter.

- you can use batteries for powering your RPi. Eg.: 2, or more cells Lithium Polymer batteries or Lead GEL batteries, even from NiMH rechargeable or classic Alkaline batteries (more than 5) connected in serial mode.

- you can power some additional boards used together with RPi, from the same power supply.

- other stuffs

[Rick alde]

what does this do?