Power your Raspberry Pi Pico projects with confidence using this dedicated Expansion Shield featuring onboard 3.7V LiPo battery charging support. Designed for portability and ease of integration, this shield is perfect for battery-powered applications, from sensor nodes to compact robotics.
Built with the same trusted charging circuit as our Melbourne-designed Simple LiPo Charger, it uses the MCP73831 charger IC with an adjustable current setting, defaulting to 100mA and configurable up to 500mA.
Key Features:
Integrated LiPo Charging Circuit
Charge your 3.7V LiPo battery directly using the 5V power supplied by the Raspberry Pi Pico itself. No external USB input is required, the shield draws power from the Pico’s 5V rail when it’s connected via USB.
Adjustable Charging Current
Default charging current is 100mA. Easily increase to 200mA or 500mA by bridging the labeled solder pads (“200” and “500”).
Charging Status LEDs
Red CHRG LED indicates active charging; green FULL LED lights when the battery reaches 4.2V.
Clearly Labeled GPIO Pins
Every pin from the Pico is labeled on the board, making prototyping easier and reducing wiring errors.
Includes Male and Female Headers (Unsoldered)
Includes 2× 2x20 male headers and 2× 2x20 female headers. All headers are provided unsoldered, giving you full flexibility for stacking or breadboarding as needed.
Secure JST-PH Battery Connector
A 2-pin JST-PH connector ensures a solid and reliable connection to your LiPo battery.
Battery Compatibility & Safety Notes:
Designed for 3.7–4.2V LiPo batteries (recommended with built-in protection).
Always verify battery polarity before connecting.
Do not use damaged, swollen, or unprotected batteries.
Avoid water exposure or extreme temperatures.
Note: Raspberry Pi Pico and batteries sold separately.
Whether you’re building a portable project, off-grid sensor, or mobile interface, this expansion shield makes it easy to add safe, flexible LiPo battery support, powered entirely through your Pico.