Powering a Pi Zero from Li-ion batteries

Martin Gregorie · 2020-03-09T14:15:17+00:00

Has anybody tried running a Pi Zero from a single LiPO cell such as you'd use in a RC model aircraft or a drone? The voltage varies with charge from 4.2 v down to about 3.7 v I think it should work since the Pi has a regulator that drops the 5v supply voltage to 3.3 for internal use, but I don't know what minimum voltage the internal regulator needs to work correctly. FWIW, I'd prefer to avoid using a standard off-the-shelf 5v output power pack because: - They're are rather bulkier than a bare LiPO and, if possible, I'd like to get a Pi zero plus the battery into the space behind a Pimoroni HyperPixel - 4.0, which is 86mm x 56.5mm - Almost all power packs only have a single mini USB connection for both charging and power output, so it would need a additional wiring and at least an external socket plus plug to avoid the need to unplug it from the Pi to charge it - adding more bulk and fiddling. -- Martin | martin at Gregorie | gregorie dot org

Mar 09, 2020 26 Replies

Rate this thread:

Martin Gregorie 6 years ago

That's good to know.

Martin | martin at Gregorie | gregorie dot org

Vote

Martin Gregorie 6 years ago

Thanks - saved for future reference.

Martin | martin at Gregorie | gregorie dot org

Vote

The Natural Philosopher 6 years ago

Got my 8 foot wingspan old timer ready to finish off sometime...

Yes. It's made for the purpose isn't it?

All political activity makes complete sense once the proposition that all government is basically a self-legalising protection racket, is fully understood.

Vote

The Natural Philosopher 6 years ago

Most packs that die, die from abuse - mainly over discharge. I fly very conservatively. My packs last.,..

All political activity makes complete sense once the proposition that all government is basically a self-legalising protection racket, is fully understood.

Vote

Adam Funk 6 years ago

Good point --- & I think that is true of the ones we have.

"Gonzo, is that the contract from the devil?" "No, Kermit, it's worse than that. This is the bill from special effects."

Vote

Martin Gregorie 6 years ago

Electric is still quite new to me, hence the silly questions.

I flew mostly F1A competition FF gliders with 1/2A and F1J (small competition power models) until I got hooked on full-size gliding, so now I fly an early Std Libelle. Mine is still a model flier's aircraft though, as there is about 20 m^2 of balsa in it: all flying surfaces have glass/balsa/glass sandwich structures top and bottom, a full depth I-beam spar and no ribs.

However, at some point I'll have to hang up my parachute and FF scale looks good for then.

Martin | martin at Gregorie | gregorie dot org

Vote