How to power a Pi Zero W 2 from a battery

Support Product Questions
1

Hi all.

I know I can do this with a battery & step up regulator to pins 2 & 4 but research suggests there’s a risk of killing the Zero in doing this. There’s also the load and cable size to consider. Not sure 28 AWG jumper would suffice and paralleling them gets messy for connections.

Instead I think I want a PS module that’ll take 3.7v in and output 5v via USB-C?

Would someone please recommend a product?

Cheers.

Mark

2

Hi Mark

Mark I think you will have to make up your mind about exactly how you want to do this.

Because:

That is exactly what you are asking for with this statement. Except maybe the USB C bit.
Cheers Bob

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3

Hey there, @Mark285907, from your description I can think of one of two options:

  • Use something like the Pi Zero UPS HAT, which simplifies a lot of the circuitry needed to do a battery + recharge combo for your Pi.
  • Alternatively, what from your needs, I can see this working alright with a Power Bank. Which would be a fine solution, I have one I use with my Pi, but it obviously makes the setup much heavier.
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4

Hi Jane
I don’t profess to know much about RPi or their “Hats” BUT:

There have been pages and pages of discussion regarding this, it really boils down to:
Power “Banks” are NOT power “Supplies”. and are not designed to be so. They are back up devices designed to charge another battery system.

They usually shut down if the load current drops to about 100mA and will not restore until the load is removed and re connected. Most inconvenient.

There are ways to prevent this shut down by fitting a resistor across the 5V to keep the load above 100mA but when most are crying out for the last couple of mW or that extra minutes of operating time this is a bit wasteful.

I still maintain that the best option is to use something designed to do the job which a power bank IS NOT.
Cheers Bob

PS
I think that linked UPS hat would be the better way to go with its charging facility.

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