I'm always needing 5 VDC for running some MCU project, and it isn't
always convenient to hook up the bench supply or dig out a USB
cable. This is especially true if I'm in the field, working on an
outdoor install. I also have a collection of battery holders,
scavanged from Christmas lights over the years. This project
turns these surplus battery holders into portable 5 VDC sources.
Here is a picture of the original battery holder, with Christmas
LEDs attached, on the left. The battery holder has a switch on
the end near the LED cord. When you turn on the switch, the LEDs
blink, thanks to a tiny PCB built into a compartment near the switch
(towards the top in this photo). I reworked the battery holder on
the right, replacing the original PCB with a 5 VDC boost converter from
SparkFun.
I didn't change anything in the battery compartment, just in the
switch compartment at the top. I removed the original LED cable,
then wired the switch in series with a wire from the positive terminal
of the lower battery. The wire from the other side of the switch
is connected to the input terminal (1-4V IN) on the booster PCB.
Here you can see where I've added the SF 5 VDC booster PCB.
I've also wired a small, red LED and 1.5K ohm resistor between the GND
and 5V OUT connections on the booster PCB. The LED lights the
inside of the battery holder when the unit is switched on. I did
this so I would remember to turn off the juice when I'm not using the
batteries. Otherwise, the booster PCB will drain the batteries
all by itself. The 1.5K resistor limits current into the LED to
about 2 mA, so I used a very bright (but tiny) LED. You can leave
off the LED and resistor if you choose.
You can also see where I've routed the red (5V OUT) and black (GND)
wires through an existing hole in the side of the case; I tied a knot
in the wires to act as a strain relief.
Here's another view of the reworked switch circuitry, showing how
I"ve stuffed the booster PCB into the small compartment. I stuck
a piece of insulating tape over the bare terminal for the negative
battery connection, to keep things from shorting out. The PCB is
only held in place by the wiring mess; there was no need or room for
mounting hardware.
I originally started this project intending to use a modified Joule
Thief circuit, but could not get reliable 5 VDC output and could not
fit it into this tiny space. But the SF booster board works
perfectly and only costs $6.
The booster board will work down to 1 VDC input, which means the
batteries will be drained completely before you throw them out.
The batteries shown here were pulled from devices that refused to work
when the batteries hit about 1.2 VDC. Given the efficiency of the
booster PCB, I expect a lot more use out of these "dead"
batteries before I finally have to dump them.
Note that it's probably not a good idea to use NiMh or other
rechargeable batteries in this device. The boost converter will
drain them so low that the batteries could be damaged.
And that's it...
A simple project that I expect will prove valuable in my hobby.
I'm reusing leftover bits from Christmas lights, getting ALL the energy
from my AA batteries, and carrying portable power to my MCU
boards. Pretty sweet for an hour of my time...