MCP73871 Solar Lithium Battery Charging Module with Power Path Management (5V DC)

When building solar-powered projects or devices that need to run continuously while plugged in, standard chargers like the TP4056 fall short because they cannot properly separate the battery from the load. The MCP73871 Solar Lithium Battery Charging Module solves this with advanced Power Path Management (Load Sharing). This intelligent IC prioritizes powering your circuit first, using whatever current is left over to charge the battery. When the sun goes down or the DC power is unplugged, it seamlessly and instantly switches your circuit over to battery power without causing microcontrollers to reset.

Designed specifically to handle the fluctuating power output of 5V-6V solar panels, this module prevents the charger from "collapsing" the solar panel's voltage when clouds roll in. It provides an all-in-one hub for your power needs, typically featuring inputs for both a DC barrel jack and a standard USB connection, alongside standard JST terminals for plugging in your LiPo battery and your project load.

Key Features & Functional Advantages:

• Smart Power Path Management: Simultaneously powers your device and charges the battery. If the load requires more current than the solar panel can provide, it automatically supplements the power with the battery.

• Seamless Power Switching: Acts as a true Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for 3.3V/5V microcontrollers, ensuring continuous operation when transitioning between solar/wall power and battery power.

• Optimized for Solar Panels: Specially designed to work with 5V to 6V solar panels. It handles voltage drops and current fluctuations gracefully, maximizing the efficiency of your solar harvesting.

• Status Indicator LEDs: Features built-in LEDs (typically Power Good, Charging, and Done) so you can instantly verify the charging status and solar input viability at a glance.

• Safe CC/CV Charging: Employs a rigorous Constant-Current/Constant-Voltage charging algorithm to safely top off 3.7V/4.2V lithium cells without risking dangerous over-voltage.

Perfect For:

• Remote IoT Telemetry Nodes: The absolute best choice for powering outdoor ESP32 or STM32 environmental sensors and telemetry equipment that rely on a small solar panel to stay alive indefinitely.

• Solar Weather Stations: Ensures your environmental data loggers capture uninterrupted 24/7 data, efficiently harvesting energy during the day to run through the night.

• DIY Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): Ideal for keeping Raspberry Pi Zeros, routers, or security cameras online during momentary grid power outages.

• Sustainable Wearables: A great power hub for charging electronic backpacks or smart outdoor gear equipped with flexible solar cells.

Technical Specifications:

• Charge Controller IC: Microchip MCP73871

• Input Voltage: 5.0V to 6.0V DC (Do not exceed 6.0V, or the IC will be destroyed)

• Supported Battery Chemistry: 1-Cell (1S) 3.7V Lithium Polymer (LiPo) or Lithium-Ion (18650)

• Charge Cut-off Voltage: 4.2V (± 1%)

• Max Charge Current: Typically configured to 500mA (Can be adjusted up to 1A via resistor changes)

• Max Load Current: 1.8A (When powered from a strong DC source)

• Typical Interfaces: DC Barrel Jack (5.5x2.1mm), Mini/Micro/Type-C USB, and JST-PH 2.0mm ports for Battery and Load.

• Dimensions: Approximately 41 mm x 33 mm

Ensure your order is placed by 2PM to guarantee next-day delivery! Our commitment to prompt service includes a 24-hour delivery system through our network of carriers, aimed at ensuring your package arrives right on schedule.

Please note, a delivery fee of €4.99 applies for orders under €50. For those in remote areas, be aware that our couriers may apply an extra surcharge. This additional fee helps cover the costs of transporting your items to harder-to-reach locations.