# Booster Cable ## Tools and Materials The PowerBoost Chargers are super versatile portable power sources.  The one missing feature is the ability to pass USB data so you can exchange data with your computer while the LiPo battery is charging.  This project turns your PowerBoost Charger into a LiPo Powered USB Data Cable. The Booster Cable is a relatively easy project.  Once you collect all the components and tools, it should only take an hour or two to assemble. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/956/medium800/adafruit_products_234A1338.jpg?1461623783) ## Required Components: - PowerBoost 500 Charger (shown) or PowerBoost 1000 Charger - USB Cable  - choose one with a 'B' connector to fit your device - LiPo Cell - 2200mAh - or whatever size fits your project best - 2 small ‘zip’ ties - Electrical tape ## Optional Components: Your enclosure choice will depend on the battery selection.  For this build, we’ll simply use some 3/4”  heat-shrink tubing and a cylindrical battery to make a compact in-line package. Other options include mint or gum tins or other small project boxes. ## Tools: - Hobby Knife - Wire Cutters - Wire Strippers - Soldering Iron & supplies **Optional:** - Hot-air gun (for heat-shrink tubing - if used) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/955/medium800/adafruit_products_234A1454.jpg?1461623410) # Booster Cable ## Assembly ### Remove a section of the insulation.   Pick a spot in the middle of the USB cable and use a sharp knife to cut through the outer insulation only.  Make your cut about the same length as the PowerBoost PCB.  Then peel back the insulation to expose the braided shield. ![adafruit_products_234A1347E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/942/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1347E.jpg?1461539899) ![adafruit_products_234A1350E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/944/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1350E.jpg?1461540035) ### Separate the wires from the shield Cut away the insulation and separate the shield wires to expose the wires inside.  If there is a foil wrapper around the wires, remove it.   The Red and Black wires are the Power and Ground wires.  The White and Green wires are the Data wires. ![adafruit_products_234A1369E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/937/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1369E.jpg?1461539592) ### Cut and Strip the Power and Ground Wires  Cut the power and ground wires.  Strip off about 1/4" of isulation from each side.  Leave the white and green data wires intact. ![adafruit_products_234A1370E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/938/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1370E.jpg?1461539616) ![adafruit_products_234A1371E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/939/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1371E.jpg?1461539636) ### Solder the 'A' side wires: These are the inputs to the PowerBoost. - Red to USB - Black to GND ![adafruit_products_234A1372E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/940/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1372E.jpg?1461539665) ### Solder the 'B' side wires: These are the outputs from the PowerBoost. - Red to 5Vo - Black to GND ![adafruit_products_234A1375E.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/941/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1375E.jpg?1461539771) ### Insulate the bare wires Fold a piece of electrical tape over the bare shield wires.  This will prevent any short circuits from the bare wires. ![adafruit_products_234A1377.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/931/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1377.jpg?1461529595) ![adafruit_products_234A1378.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/932/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1378.jpg?1461529625) ### Secure with 'Zip' ties Fold the insulated shield wires down on the back of the PowerBoost and secure the ends with 3" 'zip' ties and trim the ends. ![adafruit_products_234A1380.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/934/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1380.jpg?1461529787) ![adafruit_products_234A1381.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/935/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1381.jpg?1461529814) ![adafruit_products_234A1382.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/936/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1382.jpg?1461529844) ### Test it Plug in a battery and make sure that everything is working. ![adafruit_products_234A1383.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/957/medium640/adafruit_products_234A1383.jpg?1461624218) ## Wrap it up! For the prototype here, we soldered the battery leads directly to the BAT and GND pins.  Then slid the whole thing into a piece of translucent 3/4" heat-shrink tubing for a nice compact in-line package. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/031/958/medium800/adafruit_products_234A1454.jpg?1461624417) ## Featured Products ### PowerBoost 500 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 500mA+ [PowerBoost 500 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 500mA+](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1944) PowerBoost 500C is the perfect power supply for your portable project! With a built-in battery charger circuit, you'll be able to keep your project running even while recharging the battery! This little DC/DC boost converter module can be powered by any 3.7V LiIon/LiPoly battery, and... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1944) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1944/guides) ### PowerBoost 1000 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 1A [PowerBoost 1000 Charger - Rechargeable 5V Lipo USB Boost @ 1A](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465) PowerBoost 1000C is the perfect power supply for your portable project!  **With a built-in load-sharing battery charger circuit, you'll be able to keep your power-hungry project running even while recharging the battery!**  This little DC/DC boost converter module can... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2465/guides) ### Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh [Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion battery contains a 2200mAh and a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection. Yet, it is slim and easy to fit into many project cases. This cell can provide 2 **C** of... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1781) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1781/guides) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Powerboost 1000C](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-powerboost-1000c-load-share-usb-charge-boost.md) - [Garmin Lidar Lite Range Finder](https://learn.adafruit.com/garmin-lidar-lite-range-finder.md) - [PyPortal Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-case.md) - [7" Mini PC](https://learn.adafruit.com/7-mini-pc.md) - [BlueLive: Livestream Studio switcher controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluelive.md) - [Super Game Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/super-game-pi.md) - [PyPortal Roku Remote](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-roku-remote.md) - [Energy Budgets](https://learn.adafruit.com/energy-budgets.md) - [Printy Boost: Reimagining a Classic Adafruit Kit](https://learn.adafruit.com/printy-boost-reimagining-a-classic-adafruit-kit.md) - [5" Display Kippah Portable Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/portable-kippah-pi.md) - [Portable Apple Watch Charger](https://learn.adafruit.com/portable-apple-watch-charger.md) - [CRICKIT Snake Bot](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-snake-bot.md) - [Overwatch Prop Gun: Lucio's Blaster Pt. 2](https://learn.adafruit.com/overwatch-lucio-gun-pt-2.md) - [USB Rechargeable Mini Solder Fume Extractor](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-rechargeable-mini-solder-fume-extractor.md) - [Pocket PiGRRL](https://learn.adafruit.com/pocket-pigrrl.md) - [Mini Mac Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-mac-pi.md)