Sakura Multi Connector USB LiPo Charger

As an electronics enthusiast, I frequently find myself surrounded by various LiPo batteries I need for my projects, each with its distinct connector, which makes charging them a pain.

While I do own an Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger, which is quite handy, it's limited to only one type of connector. Drawing inspiration from it, I designed this unified charger that accommodates some of the most common LiPo battery connectors I use. This charger is not only versatile but also boasts a charming flower-shaped design, adding a touch of elegance to its functionality.

How does it work?

• The charger is equipped with four common LiPo connectors, one on each petal. On the bottom side, there are 3 pin connectors (+, -, and NTC pin), while on the top side, you can find the 2 pin equivalents of the same connectors, in case you want to use it with batteries which don’t have the NTC pin.
• Visual feedback - the pink LED is lit when charging, while the blue LED signifies a fault state (e.g. the absence of a battery). When the battery is fully charged and ready for use, both LEDs turn off.
• A built-in potentiometer allows you to fine-tune the charging current, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of battery capacities.
• I also implemented a reverse polarity protection circuit to prevent damage to the charging IC in case of accidentally connecting the battery in the wrong way.

The Renesas ISL9205IRZ chip is tiny but mighty, it’s a perfect fit for this project since it has a few extra features that other popular LiPo chargers lack:

• It features thermal protection to prevent overheating during the charging process.
• It incorporates a Trickle Charge function, designed to revive fully discharged batteries.

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