Pi-Ener-lite UPS board for Raspberry Pi Zero adds 18650 battery, RTC and fuel gauge

ACE Design Studio, a Chinese engineering firm, has introduced the Pi-Ener-lite, a compact uninterruptible power supply board tailored specifically for the Raspberry Pi Zero single-board computer series. The board features a standard flat-top 18650 lithium-ion battery holder and automatically switches to battery power when the external supply is interrupted, supporting simultaneous charging and discharging operation.

The Pi-Ener-lite connects to the underside of the Raspberry Pi Zero through seven spring-loaded pogo pins that handle both power delivery and I2C data communication. This design leaves the top GPIO header entirely free for attaching other HATs or expansion boards, preserving the Pi's expandability. The board includes a USB Type-C port for charging, a dedicated power switch, and a DS1307 real-time clock chip with a CR1220 coin cell battery holder to keep time during power loss.

Charging current is rated at 1A at 5V, while the output current can reach up to 2.5A, providing sufficient power for the Pi Zero and low-power peripherals. The Pi-Ener-lite is compatible with all models of the Raspberry Pi Zero series, including Pi Zero, Zero W, and Zero 2 W. The compact form factor and pogo pin connection make it a drop-in solution for portable or embedded projects requiring reliable backup power.