Waveshare UPS HAT (E) Holds Four 21700 Lithium batteries and it’s Compatible with Pi 5/4/3B+

Waveshare has recently announced UPS HAT (E), which can be used to provide backup power for Raspberry Pi 5/4B/3B+ in case of a power outage. The HAT supports four 21700 Lithium batteries and includes a battery fuel gauge IC for monitoring battery power.

The board also has a USB-C port that can charge the battery with up to 40 watts of power and the onboard buck converter that allows up to 6A of MAX current for pouring the PI and the peripherals attached to the PI. All these features make this HAT useful for applications where high power is required Examples could be the Raspberry Pi AI AI Kit, the Waveshare PCIe-Based 5G HAT+, and the Radxa Penta SATA HAT.

The features and specifications are all well and good, but one key thing is that the HAT uses pogo pins to power the Pi and the associated peripherals, but the concern is the will the pogo pins be sufficient enough to deliver power to the Pi and its associated peripherals.

Additionally, the company shares a list of dos and don’t on their Wiki Page which are described below:

• Never reverse the polarity when charging or discharging the battery.
• Only use high-quality chargers and charging panels designed for these batteries.
• Avoid mixing old and new batteries, or batteries from different brands.
• When purchasing replacement batteries, ensure they are compatible with your device’s specifications and are from a reputable manufacturer. If possible, perform an aging test to verify stability and safety.
• Lithium batteries have a limited lifespan and degrade over time. Replace them after they reach their maximum cycle life or after two years, whichever comes first.
• Store batteries carefully in a safe location, away from flammable or explosive materials, and out of reach of children.

Waveshare UPS HAT (E) Specifications

• Compatibility: Raspberry Pi 5/4B/3B+
• Power Input/Output: Type-C port, bi-directional, up to 40W
• Battery Support: 4× 21700 Li-ion batteries (not included)
• Output Voltage: 5V 6A via high-power buck chip
• Communication: I2C for monitoring power and battery status
• Battery Fuel Gauge IC: Measures voltage, current, and battery capacity
• High-Power Buck Chip: Ensures consistent 5V 6A output
• MCU Management: Detects power connection and manages Raspberry Pi booting
• Battery Management: Onboard MCU with battery fuel gauge IC
• Features: Fast charging, battery level display, optional active cooling support
• Power Supply
  • 5V/5A USB Type-C
  • 2x pogo pin to power the Raspberry Pi
• Dimensions: 56mm × 88mm, 3.0mm mounting holes

The Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi uses Python commands to enable I2C, battery level detection, and display a battery level logo. It also allows for adjustments to boot current and boot time based on power input.

The Waveshare UPS HAT (E) is available on various platforms like Amazon, Aliexpress, and the official Waveshare store, and prices range from $32.99 to $44.99 considering different platforms.

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