Overview

A Power Supply DIY Kit that can be used to power the Q-Client Builder Base or any of your other projects from a 9V battery. 5V and 3.3V as available as output voltages.

Required hardware

Components

Hardware Components

The components are part of the DIY Kit or can be sourced separately with help of the BOM:

Picture	Name	Designator	Quantity
Image Modified	Radial LED (5mm)	D3	1
Image Modified	Sliding Switch	S1, S2	2
Image Modified	240Ω Resistor	R1	1
Image Modified	330Ω Resistor	R3	1
Image Modified	390Ω Resistor	R2	1
Image Modified	4.7kΩ Resistor	R4	1
Image Modified Reads: “0.22µF”	220nf Polarized Capacitor	C1	1
Image Modified Reads: “1µF”	1uf Polarized Capacitor	C2	1
Image Modified	1N4000 Diode	D1, D2	2
Image Modified	LM317MB	U1	1
Image Modified	Heatsink	M1	1
Image Modified	Heatsink Pad		1
Image Modified	1x2 3.5mm Terminal Block	J3	1
Image Modified	1x2 pin header	J2, J4, J5	3
Image Modified	2.1mm Barrel Jack	J1	1
Image Modified	2.1mm Barrel Jack to 9V adapter		1
Image Modified	PTC Fuse	F1	1
Image Modified	Mounting Hardware 3x M3 Screws 1x M3 Nuts		4
Image Modified	Power Supply PCB	Q-PCB-001	1
Image Modified	Q-Client Builder Base		1

Tools Used

Picture	Name	Quantity	Link
Image Modified	Small slotted-head screwdriver	1	Included in Component Kit Or you can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
Image Modified	Soldering Iron	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
Image Modified	Solder	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
Image Modified	Diagonal Cutters	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
Image Modified	Work Holder		You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List

Story

The Idea

The Power Supply kit is a handy device that can be used in a multitude of projects. You can use it to wirelessly power your builder base and all connected components. The power supply accepts 7-12V batteries via a 2.1mm barrel jack and regulates the voltage down to 5V or 3.3V. The power supply can connect to the Builder Base via the 3.3V or 5V ports.

Video

Build Process

Step 1: PCB Assembly and Soldering

Take a look at the required components above and determine their final position on the PCB. The following images should be a good reference:

Place groups of components on the board and then solder them to the pads. It is recommended to start with components with the lowest profile, like for example resistor and then move up to components like buttons with higher profile.

To determine the values of the given resistors and to place them in the correct position, please refer to a resistor color code calculator like this one:

https://www.digikey.com/en/resources/conversion-calculators/conversion-calculator-resistor-color-code

Using some form of work holder is advised. You can find a list of suitable work holders on our Recommended Tools List.

Don’t forget to place the heatsink pad between the heatsink (M1) and the voltage regulator (U1). Screw them together with an M3 screw and an M3 nut that come in the DIY Kit.

Two additional M3 screws are included to mount the DIY Kit to any project board.

Step 2: Connecting to the Builder Base

You have two options for connecting the power supply to your Builder Base: you can use the male headers on the bottom of your PCB to stick it on the GND and VCC rails of a bread board, or you can use the screw terminals located on the top of your power supply. Both options serve the same purpose, but one might work better for a given project than the other. Don’t forget to set the switch to your desired voltage.

Projects

Any project compatible

The Power Supply DIY Kit can be used in a variety of projects! It can power your Builder Base or your entire Breadboard circuit!

Gallery

Resources

Current revision

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