The MonkMakes Power for micro:bit opens up lots of ways of powering your micro:bit.

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 batteries, an AC/DC adapter, solar panels or other sources of power that are not the 3V or so that the micro:bit requires.

The Power for micro:bit will accept an input voltage of 4.5-12V DC from its standard DC barrel jack socket and convert it into a regulated 3.3V for your micro:bit.

The additional advantages of using a Power for micro:bit instead of a USB 5V power supply are firstly that some USB 5V adaptors can cause problems with the micro:bit (see micro:bits safety guidelines), and secondly because the micro:bits battery connector is connected directly to the 3V alligator clip-able connector of the micro:bit – so you can supply other things that are connected to the micro:bit with a lot more than the usual 90mA. In fact you can supply up to 200mA (although the regulator will get hot at high currents see instruction documents below).

This makes the board great for use with things like NeoPixel strips or servomotors that need a bit more current!

Note: Power board only. micro:bit and other pictured cables not included.

Resources

• Instructions
• Datasheet

Specification

• Input connector: 2.1mm DC barrel jack connector (positive-centre)
• Output connector: JST-2.0mm on flying leads
• Voltage regulator IC: LD1117-3.3V