Pi Zero Battery?

I’m looking to run up a project using the Raspberry Pi Zero W with the Picon Zero robotics hat but I have to run it off battery

I’m looking for an appropriate way to power the Pi Zero (the Picon can power off the Pi)

Any advise for the best LiPo setup maybe?

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Hi Darren,

As you have a hat on top of the pi already your options are a bit limited. I would personally run it off a usb battery bank, or a lipo: https://core-electronics.com.au/polymer-lithium-ion-battery-2000mah-38459.html into a 3.3v regulator: Voltage Regulator - 3.3V Australia on the end. Alternatively this board could work: https://core-electronics.com.au/powerboost-500-charger-rechargeable-5v-lipo-usb-boost-at-500ma.html

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Pi Juice zero hat is the go - with pass through headers it should be fine. Or the LiFePOwer hat.

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Thanks for the suggestions I’ve been doing a bit of reading…

I believe I’ll need two batteries by the looks

First insert the PiJuice Zero in between the Pi Zero W and the PiCon Zero… then attach a 1000maH LiPo and that takes care of battery the Pi Zero W (and through to the PiCon Zero themselves

Second step is to add a second 1000maH LiPo to power the motors through the PiCon Zero external power input for the H-Bridge motor drivers… but I’m pretty sure I have to add a power regulator and not just splice in the second battery though it does say 3-6v and the battery is in that lower range :wink:

Does that sound like a general plan and place to start?

I’ll drop a couple of simple 130 DC motors to make it mobile then I can start the fun

Cheers
Darren

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It really depends how you’ve got things wired up. Unless you really need the Pi Zero to have it’s own power source there’s no reason you couldn’t run everything from a single battery.

Depending on how much current your motors pull, it looks like you could even power them from the 5v rail in the GPIO Header - straight from the Pi Juice.

https://4tronix.co.uk/blog/?p=1224

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Hi Darren,

If you are looking for dirt cheap power banks I would checkout Kmarts Anko power banks, I use them for some of my prototypes in Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/portable-charger-single-port---2,000mah/1638343

Cheers,
Liam.

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Thanks Liam

They look interesting for sure, my main focus is not so much price as it is getting the best solution in a small package and weight

That’s why after feedback I was looking at the PiJuice and a 1000maH LiPo to support it as the battery is pretty much the same dimensions as the Pi Zero itself and really thin battery

If I can feed the Pi then 5v output to the motors and use the 40pin to power the Picon (pass through the PiJuice) I think I have a prototype

I think the only outstanding concern I have relates to the motor power - just because I’ve read comments that drawing power through the Pi pinouts can have total draw implications but probably ok for a prototype then I could add a second power source later on if I don’t get enough battery life

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Hi Darren,

Certainly, the PiJuice is definitely the way to go in that case.

Taking a look at the site here: PiJuice/README.md at master · PiSupply/PiJuice · GitHub
It looks like the PiJuice can supply up to 2.5A via the GPIO pins.

Note both boards have a listing on the pinoutXYZ site here: Picon Zero, PiJuice (not Zero)

Cheers,
Liam.

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