MintyBoost Kit v3 - Unboxing

Everyone can buy Powerbanks, but they can solder their own kit and pack it into an individual tin can: only the Hackster members who have bought the Adafruit Kit "MintyBoost" v3 can do so.

Today, in addition to the guide from Adafruit, there is a personal review of my notes so you can benefit from it.

No program code needed! Just order a kit (it is not so much in demand and you will receive remainders for around 5 euros) and the soldering iron fired.

Put the items sorted in front of you and familiarize yourself with the PCB designations.

Start with the resistors R5, R2, R4, R1 and R3, over the consendators C1, C2 (non-polar), C3 and C4 (polar - long leg = +, shorter leg = -) and L1 (non-polar) until finally to the diode D1. Here it is particularly important to take care to use the small ring around the diode as an orientation. Do not let the red / white sticker on your legs irritate you. The IC1-socket direction follow the small bow; also the IC.

So that the PCB does not slip on the worktop, I recommend you a (thin) foam pad, as it is often used in the shipping of products. This fixes the gradually soldered PCB; otherwise you can also hold a "third hand" with his pliers PCB.

The pliers serve to shorten the protruding on the back legs accordingly at the soldering point.

I had the diode soldered the wrong way round and damaged the IC: the re-ordering of the IC cost as much as the whole kit in total. So take care when soldering!

You can perform a function check on the basis of the tension at the haven 1 and 4 of the USB connection: here are with correct execution 4.96 V DC on - naturally only if you inserted fresh AA batteries in the battery compartment and red on + and the black cable was soldered to the PCB. 2 AA batteries can also be used.

You are with the MintyBoost with 2 AA batteries 3V available, which is transformed by this kit to 5V. With it you can realize your smartphone or mobile (outdoor) projects. As an emergency power in the car, a long hike or as a reserve for your smartphone a good and inexpensive idea.

Another recommendation is the addition of a solar kit, named "USB / DC / Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger - v2" - also from Adafruit. Here you can connect as a input power source, a solar panel with 6V and thus provide both a LiPo battery and your MintyBoost with power.

MintyBoost - the name derives from the idea to put the finished kit in a tin can, which had the stuff before serving as a chewing gum dispenser with peppermint flavor. Although there are the doses in the shop by Adafruit, but unfortunately without content and appropriate imprint. After a little research on the internet, I found the original Altoids peffermint cans including the drops for the same price.

Have fun with a after-work project!