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Cheap Power Boost (AliE/BG) - some questions?

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 12:41 am
by Kingoddball
Hello!

I've been looking forward to building a GBZ since I first saw these and I'm getting ready now (parts are slowly arriving).
Today i'm working on the power supply (controls tomorrow).

Power Board/Boost: AliExpress powerboost: https://goo.gl/sOcBP7

I don't have my battery yet (slow postage 3.7v 2500mah Li-Po) nor my screen to connect with Pi so I was using my bench PSU.
After everything I have read on here/wiki/youtube: Recommended battery is a 3.7v LiPo - this power booster shows it charges the battery for 4.2v, is this ok??
Most 3.7v (non AdaFruit) power booster I've seen online here says they charge the battery to 4.2v.
Now thats 1 question - the second is if I'm using a 3.7v battery (surely the output is 3.7v??) I have noticed that this device will not start outputting the 5v until a 4.2v voltage is connected, is this normal for anyone else?
I have two of these and both require a 4.2v to get it outputting 5v.

Sorry if it sounded like ramble :)

Simple:
1: AliE Power Boost needs 4.2v to start outputting 5v - is this normal and are the 3.7v lipo's we're using going to supply what is needed?
2: Is charging a 3.7v lipo to 4.2v ok? I've seen lipo's go bad (drones) and warnings about over charging.

sorry to ask but It's a slight concern for both :)

Thanks!!

Re: Cheap Power Boost (AliE/BG) - some questions?

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 8:40 am
by RetroGamingNow
Kingoddball wrote:Hello!

I've been looking forward to building a GBZ since I first saw these and I'm getting ready now (parts are slowly arriving).
Today i'm working on the power supply (controls tomorrow).

Power Board/Boost: AliExpress powerboost: https://goo.gl/sOcBP7

I don't have my battery yet (slow postage 3.7v 2500mah Li-Po) nor my screen to connect with Pi so I was using my bench PSU.
After everything I have read on here/wiki/youtube: Recommended battery is a 3.7v LiPo - this power booster shows it charges the battery for 4.2v, is this ok??
Most 3.7v (non AdaFruit) power booster I've seen online here says they charge the battery to 4.2v.
Now thats 1 question - the second is if I'm using a 3.7v battery (surely the output is 3.7v??) I have noticed that this device will not start outputting the 5v until a 4.2v voltage is connected, is this normal for anyone else?
I have two of these and both require a 4.2v to get it outputting 5v.

Sorry if it sounded like ramble :)

Simple:
1: AliE Power Boost needs 4.2v to start outputting 5v - is this normal and are the 3.7v lipo's we're using going to supply what is needed?
2: Is charging a 3.7v lipo to 4.2v ok? I've seen lipo's go bad (drones) and warnings about over charging.

sorry to ask but It's a slight concern for both :)

Thanks!!
The most recommended power boosts have overcharge protection. I would stick to the adafruit 1000C or if your on a budget go with the banggood supply. I have used both with many projects and no issues.

Re: Cheap Power Boost (AliE/BG) - some questions?

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 8:51 am
by correia5022
According to the description:

Protection Circuit:
Overcharge protection: 4.3V
Overcharge protection release: 4.1V
Overdischarge protection: 2.9V
Overdischarge protection release: 3V

Specification:
Charging voltage input: 5V 1A
Step up voltage output: 5V 1A max

So, the output is 5v 1A actually, which should be ok to use directly to a powerstrip

Re: Cheap Power Boost (AliE/BG) - some questions?

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 11:34 am
by BMO_16
Kingoddball wrote:Hello!

I've been looking forward to building a GBZ since I first saw these and I'm getting ready now (parts are slowly arriving).
Today i'm working on the power supply (controls tomorrow).

Power Board/Boost: AliExpress powerboost: https://goo.gl/sOcBP7

I don't have my battery yet (slow postage 3.7v 2500mah Li-Po) nor my screen to connect with Pi so I was using my bench PSU.
After everything I have read on here/wiki/youtube: Recommended battery is a 3.7v LiPo - this power booster shows it charges the battery for 4.2v, is this ok??
Most 3.7v (non AdaFruit) power booster I've seen online here says they charge the battery to 4.2v.
Now thats 1 question - the second is if I'm using a 3.7v battery (surely the output is 3.7v??) I have noticed that this device will not start outputting the 5v until a 4.2v voltage is connected, is this normal for anyone else?
I have two of these and both require a 4.2v to get it outputting 5v.

Sorry if it sounded like ramble :)

Simple:
1: AliE Power Boost needs 4.2v to start outputting 5v - is this normal and are the 3.7v lipo's we're using going to supply what is needed?
2: Is charging a 3.7v lipo to 4.2v ok? I've seen lipo's go bad (drones) and warnings about over charging.

sorry to ask but It's a slight concern for both :)

Thanks!!
You have to charge the Power Booster with a Micro USB for a few seconds before it works by itself.

My setup is a Samsung phone battery to a charger then it's connected to the inputs on the Power Booster where the micro USB is. Then the outputs are V+ and V- this is where you should have the power button before connecting to the Pi.