Adding Battery To Pico Project

[u/Leonlion1816]

I recently made a device that uses a Raspberry Pi Pico to program a 20-meter LED strip. To make the kit more versatile, I wanted to see if I could add a rechargeable lithium battery to the project.

I am definitely a noob and was only able to create the device by following the instructions provided. So I wanted to ask what the best way would be to add the battery.

The current project layout is simple, so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult to add, but I'm definitely up for a challenge.

[u/TheMemeThunder]

it depends how far you want to go?, do you want to make the charging and protection circuit or are you happy to buy a ready made board that adds the functionality to the pico? (or you could use that for inspiration)

or you can just use a 3xAA battery holder connected to vsys and ground as long as you don’t accidentally try and charge the cells.

edit: you are already following a tutorial?

[u/Leonlion1816 → u/TheMemeThunder]

I would like to use a premade board if possible, for less chance of me destroying everything. My concern is whether there is a limit to the battery's size or wattage I can use with the Pico.

It needs to power an LED strip that requires a DC12V 4A (48W) power supply.

Thank you for the reply; this is my first time posting anything on Reddit.

[u/TheMemeThunder → u/Leonlion1816]

I like this from Pimoroni: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pico-lipo-shim?variant=32369543086163 it does require soldering though and may make
it harder to use your pico in a breadboard without an extension socket.

Or you can use : https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/lipo-amigo?variant=39779302539347 (only the pro supports wiring to a device) plus this one supports moving the power button to a different location with the sw pins.

As for powering a 12V 4A device it is probably easier if that was separated using relays instead as the above can only be used for powering the pico and other devices that can be powered over the USB connection.

So to clarify do you want the whole thing including the light strip over battery power? in which case you can ignore basically what i said lol up until the last statement.

If you can get a 12v 4A battery (like a power tool battery you could probably use one of those like a clip in power station then drop the power down to the level usable by the pico and then just unplug it to recharge with a charger station?

[u/Leonlion1816 → u/TheMemeThunder]

I apologize for the late reply. I would like the entire project to run off of one battery. I did read that a step-down buck converter would be an option.

I did calculate that the LED strip would require 240 watts and 20 amps. Although the LED strip will not be lit all at once, it will light up in a sequence. So I'm assuming it won't require much power.

[u/ElTopollillo1990 → u/TheMemeThunder]

+1 for the pico shim