3 Ways to Power a Raspberry Pi for Portable Projects

Want to take your Raspberry Pi projects to the next level? You’ll need a battery solution to take it mobile, but it’s easier than you think.

Several mobile power options are available, from dedicated solutions designed for the Pi to custom-built DIY batteries. Get your Raspberry Pi out of the house and involved in some mobile projects, powered with one of these four options.

Portable Power Requirements for Raspberry Pi

Just like static Raspberry Pi projects, portable uses for the Raspberry Pi need to be powered by a good quality 5V micro USB mains adapter with a 1.2A (1200mA) current (although 1000mA should suffice for most projects on older Pis).

However, the USB ports benefit from a supply of 2.5A (2500mA) if you plan to connect devices without a powered hub.

Which power supply you need depends on the final application of your Pi. The GPIO pins have a total requirement of 50mA, the HDMI port 250mA and keyboards as little as 100mA (dependent on model, of course). The Raspberry Pi camera requires 250mA.

Checking the power rating of any hardware you plan to connect will give you an idea of the likely minimum requirements. It should also help you determine the best portable power option.

1. Battery Pack for Raspberry Pi 3 B+

Battery Pack for Raspberry Pi 3 B+, 4000mAh, Suction Battery Pack for Raspberry Pi 3 B+, 4000mAh, Suction Buy Now At Amazon $ 25.95

Any portable battery designed to charge a smartphone over USB can be used with the Raspberry Pi. Sold as a dedicated solution is the Battery Pack for Raspberry Pi 3 B+ from VGE.

Shipping with a case that can be attached to your Pi, this 4000mAh battery outputs 5V. Compatible with Raspberry Pi B+ and later, two USB ports let you power your Pi and a display.

As you might expect, this battery pack can also double as a smartphone or tablet recharger. This makes it the perfect all-round portable battery for your favorite tech, ideal for the Raspberry Pi.

2. PiJuice HAT

Designed to the HAT specification, this compact solution makes your Pi self-powered and portable.

Doubling as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the PiJuice HAT from Pi Supply can protect your Pi from sudden data loss. You can configure the HAT to run a managed shutdown when power is low, which cuts in when the main power is lost.

Better still, the PiJuice HAT lets you take your Raspberry Pi out and about, making it ideal for a range of portable projects. A 1820mAh battery provides four to six hours charge, but there is support for a larger battery. This potentially gives over 24 hours of power to your Pi.

Compatible with other boards, and with various features packed in (including a header for use with external devices), the PiJuice HAT is the most popular portable power solution for the Raspberry Pi.

3. Kuman Lithium Battery Pack

kuman for Raspberry Pi Lithium Battery Pack Expansion Board RPi Power Pack Power Supply+ USB Cable + 2 Layer Acrylic Board for Pi 3 2 Model B KY68C (Raspberry Pi Lithium Battery) kuman for Raspberry Pi Lithium Battery Pack Expansion Board RPi Power Pack Power Supply+ USB Cable + 2 Layer Acrylic Board for Pi 3 2 Model B KY68C (Raspberry Pi Lithium Battery) Buy Now At Amazon

Comprising a two-layer acrylic board, battery expansion board, and a 5V battery, this is a slick Raspberry Pi power solution. Shipping with all the required cables, screws, and risers, the Kuman Lithium Battery Pack lets you mount your Pi along with the board.

The expansion board sits below the Pi, allowing access to the connectors and the GPIO. It also features a power LED and switch and manages recharging. Double USB output is included, one to power the Pi, the other for a second device such as Kuman’s own 3.5-inch LCD display.

Using this solution, you can expect up to nine hours’ charge, although this will depend on your Pi. For example, a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ running all four processor cores will run out of power quicker.

4. DIY Portable Raspberry Pi Power Supply

In keeping with the nature of the Raspberry Pi, you might opt to build your own portable power supply.

You can do this relatively cheaply, employing a battery box suitable for AA batteries and a Universal Battery Eliminator Circuit. You’ll need six or more AA batteries for this solution, but it’s possible to hook up other cells, if preferred.

The UBEC is a power regulator that prevents batteries from damaging the Pi, so should be considered a vital component.

A battery box and UBEC can be purchased for a total price of less than $ 15 including postage.

Building your DIY portable battery pack is reasonably simple. Connect the red wire on the battery box to the red wire on the UBEC, repeating for the black wire. You might do this using a terminal strip, or simply by twisting and soldering the wires together.

Depending on which type of UBEC you purchase, you may need to perform some customization here. They usually ship with a micro USB connector for your Raspberry Pi, but if you receive the three pin GPIO connector, then you will need to move the red wire to the outermost pin slot.

Do this by releasing the catch on the connector; you can then pull the red wire from the middle slot and insert it in the outermost slot. This wire can be connected to the GPIO on pins 2 (the +5V red wire) and 6.

To power up your Raspberry Pi, insert all but one of the batteries into the box and connect everything. When you’re ready, add the final battery and watch the status lights as the Pi boots. Success!

How Long Will Batteries Last?

Your chosen power cell’s duration will depend on use. If you built a handheld gaming system, then it is likely the charge will be depleted with constant use. This contrasts with a project with a simpler use such as monitoring your network. It’s a good idea to test your project to get an idea of how long the charge will last.