Monk Makes Power for micro:bit

SKU: CE06435 Brand: Monk Makes
The MonkMakes Power for micro:bit opens up lots of ways of powering your micro:bit.
$13.45 AUD, inc GST
$12.23 AUD, exc GST

In stock, ships same business day if ordered before 2PM
Delivered by Tue, 2nd of Apr

Quantity Discounts:

  • 10-25 $11.86 (exc GST)
  • 25+ $11.62 (exc GST)
- +

2 from local stock, 1 supplier stock; your order will dispatch between Dec 1 to Dec 10. And yes, stock levels and lead times are accurate!

Shipping:

  • $6+ Standard (5+ days*, tracked)
  • $10+ Express (2+ days*, tracked)
  • FREE Pickup (Newcastle only - must order online*)

Shipping costs may increase for heavy products or large orders.

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page.

*Conditions apply, see shipping tab below.

This tiny board has a standard DC barrel jack socket at one end and provides a regulated 3.3V output that you can use to power your micro:bit using the JST battery connector attached to wires coming from the other end of the board.

You might want to use a MonkMakes Power for micro:bit board if you want to use a AC to DC adapter, solar panels, or other sources of power that are not the 3V or so that the micro:bit is expecting. The Power for micro:bit will accept an input voltage of 4.5 to 12V DC from its standard DC barrel jack socket and convert it into a pleasantly regulated 3.3V for your micro:bit.

The advantages of using a Power for micro:bit instead of say a USB 5V power supply are firstly that some USB 5V adaptors can cause problems with the micro:bit (see micro:bit’s safety guidelines) and secondly because the micro:bit’s battery connector is connected directly to the 3V alligator clip-able connector of the micro:bit, you can supply other things that are connected to the micro:bit with a lot more than the allowed 90mA. In fact you can supply up to 700mA. This makes the board great for use with things like NeoPixel strips or servomotors that need a bit more current.

AC Power

If you need to power your micro:bit project for long periods of time, then you are going to get sick of changing the batteries all the time. By using an AC adapter (not included, but 6V recommended) you can power your micro:bit indefinitely.

Higher micro:bit 3V output Current

When powered from USB power, your micro:bit can only supply a maximum of 90mA of current through its 3V connector. This means that powering Neopixel LED displays or servomotors that need more current, may not work, or be reliable. The MonkMakes Power for micro:bit boosts this maximum output current to a much more respectable 700mA. Enough to power far more Neopixels (the exact number depends on LED brightness) but // todo – verify max number at full brightness//.

Using Bigger Batteries

The standard AAA battery pack works well, but will only last for a few days of continuous use of the micro:bit. By using the Power for micro:bit with a bigger battery pack with a DC barrel jack (you can achieve much greater battery life). For example, using a 4 x AA battery pack should provide roughly 4 times the battery life that you would expect from a AAA battery pack.

Specification

  • Input connector: 2.1mm DC barrel jack connector positive center connector.
  • Output connector: JST-2.0mm on flying leads
  • Voltage regulator IC: LD1117-3.3V – datasheet

Product Comments

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page (no login required).

Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).

We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):

  • $3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
  • $6+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
  • $10+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
  • Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.

Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.

Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.

International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:

  • $11+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
  • $16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.

Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

Have a product question? We're here to help!

Write Your Own Review

Videos

View All

Guides

MOVE Mini Assembly Guide

The :MOVE MINI allows you to turn your micro:bit into a simple robot! In this guide, we will give yo...
The :MOVE MINI allows you to turn your micro:bit into a simple robot! In this guide, we will give yo...

Data Logging with the Micro:bit and OpenLog

The Micro:bit by BBC is a great data collection tool, it just needs a little help remembering what i...
The Micro:bit by BBC is a great data collection tool, it just needs a little help remembering what i...

The Maker Revolution

The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...
The Maker Revolution celebrates the creation of new devices and the modification of existing ones - ...

micro:bit in the classroom

Check out our Getting started with micro:bit video if you'd like to see a quick tutorial on w...
Check out our Getting started with micro:bit video if you'd like to see a quick tutorial on w...

Projects

Micro:bit based GlowBit Car

I made this car because at school there was a Lego We-Do tug-of-war competition but the cars only d...
I made this car because at school there was a Lego We-Do tug-of-war competition but the cars only d...

Micro:bit Random Selector

This project has been created to be used as an exemplar for Year 7 Technology students to demonstrat...
This project has been created to be used as an exemplar for Year 7 Technology students to demonstrat...
Feedback

Please continue if you would like to leave feedback for any of these topics:

  • Website features/issues
  • Content errors/improvements
  • Missing products/categories
  • Product assignments to categories
  • Search results relevance

For all other inquiries (orders status, stock levels, etc), please contact our support team for quick assistance.

Note: click continue and a draft email will be opened to edit. If you don't have an email client on your device, then send a message via the chat icon on the bottom left of our website.

Makers love reviews as much as you do, please follow this link to review the products you have purchased.