PS… this one is for the Arduino UNO, Decimilia and Duemilanove. There’s also a Lithium BackPack that works with the Arduino Mega.

I’m sure you’ve built something cool, which, like any other cool gadget, would be a hundred times cooler if it could be taken more than 10 feet away from the computer. Whether portability is essential to your device or simply a matter of convenience, the Lithium Backpack lets you take your Arduino wherever you go…and have it turn on!

It’s not just about a battery—it’s about power options! As for power, the slim, long-lasting Li-ion battery delivers 9.4, 15, or 29 Arduino hours (Arduino on standby) and is mounted on a PCB that fits snugly onto the backside of an Arduino. Mike tweaked the circuit design to increase the backpack’s efficiency and decrease voltage ripple which means extra battery life to keep everything running smoother and longer on each charge.

What about the options? Well, you can charge it directly through a mini USB port mounted right onto the Backpack, or route it to charge through the core of your device. You can even monitor your own power consumption…try doing that with a standard 9V battery! I would say that the Lithium Backpack takes your device to the next level, but it’s not even about that. What would you say if someone gave you a phone or an iPod without a battery? I don’t know about you, but I would ask them why they stole my battery. Yeah…you need one of these.

Depending on how much juice you need, get these in low, medium, or high capacity.

The Lithium Backpack is a slim, long-lasting Li-ion battery that delivers 9.4, 15, or 29 Arduino hours and is mounted on a PCB that fits snugly onto the backside of an Arduino development board.

Here is the Lithium Backpack module:


Here is the Lithium Backpack providing power to a TouchShield Stealth and DoubleWide ExtenderShield to create a portable display gadget designed to plug directly into an Arduino.


 

Specifications

• Bare battery PCB matches the size of the Arduino
• High Capacity 2200mAh Lithium Ion Battery (29 Standby Arduino Hours)
• Medium Capacity 1000mAh Lithium Ion Battery (15 Standby Arduino Hours)
• Low Capacity 600mAh Lithium Ion Battery (9.4 Standby Arduino Hours)
• Rechargeable via Arduino USB
• Rechargeable via USB Tybe-B Mini Cable
• Supplies regulated 5V and 3.3V
• Monitor battery voltage status
• 500mA Maximum Current Rating on the 5.0V line
• 100mA Maximum Current Rating on the 3.3V line

Dimensions

• L x W = 2.73×2.10 inches (same as the arduino)
• medium capacity battery height = 0.299 inches
• medium capacity battery weight = 1.3 oz 
• high capacity battery height = 0.498 inches
• high capacity battery weight = 2.1 oz 

Battery Chemistry

MeCap Lithium BackPack. 

• lithium ion-polymer battery
• Storage temperature above 60c (140 F) 
• Max charging voltage is 4.2VDC

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it take to charge the battery fully?

• Typically it takes about 5hrs for a Backpack to fully charge (I typically charge mine with a USB mini cable and that seems to work best)

Is there any indication that the battery has finished charging?

• When the orange light turns off, the Backpack is fully charged. 
• If the orange light (LED) does not turn off after sufficient charge time, you might want to check the battery voltage (Vb) and if it is between 4.1V and 4.3V it is charged.  If it is not fully charged, contact shop or Rich or Dora.

Is there any indication of the charge remaining in the battery?

• If you measure the voltage on the battery (Vb pin)and it it below 2.5V, your battery is running out of juice.  If your battery if over 4.15V you are fully charged.

The orange indicator light on the battery just flickers when charging it.

• battery is sufficiently charged. If this continues and your not able to power on any external devices with the battery, please contact Shop or Rich or Dora.    

How can I use the status pin?

• The status pin is actually just tied directly to the lithium battery's positive terminal. Measuring the voltage here you can estimate the life of the battery.

Tutorials / Blogs

• Instruction
• Lithium backpack -charging it
• 10V underwater
• FLIR Lithium Backpack 
• Lithium Hi-Capacity 2200mAh Backpack Test  

Media