Elektor DIY LiPo Supercharger Kit (by GreatScott!)

The Elektor DIY LiPo Supercharger/Booster is an innovative product developed by the renowned electronics engineer and YouTuber, GreatScott! and produced by Elektor. This device is designed to charge a single-cell LiPo battery while simultaneously protecting it from overvoltage, overload, and short-circuits. It can also boost the battery voltage to either 5V or 12V, with the boosted output voltage being safeguarded by an 'eFuse' IC that outputs 1.52A at 5V or 0.76A at 12V maximum.

The charging component of the circuit requires a +5V power supply, which can be connected via USB-C or through two wires soldered to pads on the PCB. Additional connections can be established by soldering to other pads on the PCB or using single pinheaders. However, it does not come with a mating connector to the JST connector on LiPo batteries, meaning the battery or a separate header will need to be soldered in.

Surface mount soldering is required for this kit, which can be a bit more challenging than through-hole. The pads are larger to allow for soldering with a soldering iron, but it does require a certain level of skill.

The kit includes:

• 1x Mainboard pre-assembled with the four ICs
• 15x Resistors
• 3x LEDs
• 13x Capacitors
• 2x Switches
• 1x USB-C on a breakout board
• 2x Diodes

Key features of the Elektor DIY LiPo Supercharger/Booster include:

• Compatibility with a single-cell lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery
• Input Voltage of +5V / 2A max
• Output Voltage of 5V / 1.52A or 12V / 0.76A
• LiPo Protection - XB8089D
• Overcharge Detection - 4.250V
• Overcharge Release - 4.10V
• Overdischarge Detection - 2.50V
• Overdischarge Release - 3V
• Overcurrent Detection - 10.0A
• Thermal Shutdown Auto-retry
• Enable/Undervoltage Lockout with Rising: 1.2V (typ.) and Falling: 1.1V (typ.)

Documentation for the Elektor DIY LiPo Supercharger/Booster is readily available, including an assembly manual, bill of materials, schematic, Gerber Files, a product feature video, and a product review from a SparkFun engineer.