How to order Contact us Distributors Reviews
Register / Login

Select currency

If you'd like to view estimated pricing in other currencies then please select a currency below below.

GBP USD EUR JPY AUD NOK CHF NZD CAD

Please note:

  • Currency conversions are estimates and for information only
  • Your order will be billed in GBP
  • All prices exclude VAT / other local sales taxes
  • Shipping calculated during checkout


Power for micro:bit

by Monk Makes
An image of Power for micro:bit An image of Power for micro:bit An image of Power for micro:bit An image of Power for micro:bit

This tiny board has a standard DC barrel jack socket at one end and provides a regulated 3.3V output that you can use to power your micro:bit using the JST battery connector attached to wires coming from the other end of the board.

You might want to use a MonkMakes Power for micro:bit board if you want to use a AC to DC adapter, solar panels, or other sources of power that are not the 3V or so that the micro:bit is expecting. The Power for micro:bit will accept an input voltage of 4.5 to 12V DC from its standard DC barrel jack socket and convert it into a pleasantly regulated 3.3V for your micro:bit.

The advantages of using a Power for micro:bit instead of say a USB 5V power supply are firstly that some USB 5V adaptors can cause problems with the micro:bit (see micro:bit’s safety guidelines) and secondly because the micro:bit’s battery connector is connected directly to the 3V alligator clip-able connector of the micro:bit, you can supply other things that are connected to the micro:bit with a lot more than the allowed 90mA. In fact you can supply up to 700mA. This makes the board great for use with things like NeoPixel strips or servomotors that need a bit more current.

AC Power

If you need to power your micro:bit project for long periods of time, then you are going to get sick of changing the batteries all the time. By using an AC adapter (not included, but 6V recommended) you can power  your micro:bit indefinitely.

Higher micro:bit 3V output Current

When powered from USB power, your micro:bit can only supply a maximum of 90mA of current through its 3V connector. This means that powering Neopixel LED displays or servomotors that need more current, may not work, or be reliable. The MonkMakes Power for micro:bit boosts this maximum output current to a much more respectable 700mA. Enough to power far more Neopixels (the exact number depends on LED brightness).

Using Bigger Batteries

The standard AAA battery pack works well, but will only last for a few days of continuous use of the micro:bit. By using the Power for micro:bit with a bigger battery pack with a DC barrel jack (you can achieve much greater battery life). For example, using a 4 x AA battery pack should provide roughly 4 times the battery life that you would expect from a AAA battery pack.

Specification

Input connector: 2.1mm DC barrel jack connector positive center connector.

Output connector: JST-2.0mm on flying leads

Voltage regulator IC: LD1117-3.3V – datasheet 

Reviews

User photos

This tiny board has a standard DC barrel jack socket at one end and provides a regulated 3.3V output that you can use to power your micro:bit using the JST battery connector attached to wires coming from the other end of the board.

MNK00074

You must register for an account and be logged in to view pricing or place an order on the Pimoroni Wholesale store.

If you represent a school or university, a business, or reseller of Maker products then you can sign up for a wholesale account.

If you already have an account you can login to your account here.

Alternatively the easiest way to get your hands on the products we offer is to order them directly from our customer facing online store.

SKU
MNK00074
EAN
0682698570104
Brand
Monk Makes
Stock available
0 units
Backorder not allowed on this product
Weight
10g

Video introduction

Guides & tutorials

Search

 

Region

Your search returned no results.

Subscribe

We'll keep you up to date with new product launches!

The good ship

We've been sailing the Maker seas offering our wares since 2012.

  • read about our history
  • what our customers say
  • find a local distributor
  • contact our business team

We manufacture all of our products locally at our workshop in Sheffield, UK

Under one roof

Pimoroni are your one-stop shop for bulk and education purchasing of Raspberry Pi, Pimoroni, micro:bit, Adafruit, Sparkfun, and many other brands.

If you have any questions about what we offer then drop us a line.

Pimoroni Ltd

Unit 1, Parkway Business Park,
Parkway Drive,
Sheffield,
S9 4WN,
United Kingdom

Registered in England and Wales:
Company №: 07510759
VAT Reg №: GB 140 8707 21