SparkFun's New Qwiic Boost Makes Running 5V Devices on Your 3.3V I2C Bus a Cinch

Compact board allows devices to run at 5V while still providing 3.3V logic — though 5V logic is also selectable with an on-board jumper.

SparkFun is experimenting with a new accessory for its Qwiic quick-connect I2C ecosystem: the Qwiic Boost, which increases the voltage on the bus from 3.3V to 5V while still providing 3.3V logic.

"Qwiic Boost increases the Qwiic bus from 3.3V to 5V while still providing the target device with 3.3V I2C signals," the company explains of the new board design. "This is a handy board for connecting technologies that still require 5V for running higher voltage mechanisms (like a DC fan) but have an internal processor running at 3.3V. We've seen this a lot with air quality sensors that use a fan to push air into a test chamber."

"The 5V boost circuit is rated up to 100mA with 90% efficiency. For applications where the 5V device needs 5V I2C signals, a conversion circuit is provided with the board. A jumper is available to select between 3.3V (default) and 5V I2C signals."

The board is inserted into the Qwiic ecosystem like any other, and provides two Qwiic connectors, plus an unpopulated header for I2C signals and 5V power. The power rails are boosted automatically, while a jumper provides the option to run the logic signals at 3.3V or 5V as desired.

There's only one catch: The new Qwiic Boost is part of SparkFun's SparkX range, meaning it's an experimental design. As a result, there's no guarantee that the board will continue to be produced beyond an initial test batch.

The Qwiic Boost is now available from SparkFun's store, priced at $3.95 before volume discounts. As usual, a schematic and Eagle PCB design files are available on the same page.

Gareth Halfacree
Freelance journalist, technical author, hacker, tinkerer, erstwhile sysadmin. For hire: freelance@halfacree.co.uk.
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