New X728 (Max 5.1V 8A) 18650 UPS & Power Management Board with AC Power Loss Detection, Auto On & Safe Shutdown Function

by Cindy Ding on May 08, 2020

The X728 are finally here!!! We collect many customer feedback and gather customer request and then design this X728 UPS and power management board.

The X728 is an advanced uninterruptible power supply expansion board for all current models of the Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B/2B/B+) using a 40 pin header.
It provides 5.1V 8000mA Power Backup for even the most demanding Raspberry Pi set UPS, intelligent and safe power management, safe shutdownAC power loss/ power adapter failure detection , auto power-on, full poweroff from software, and a real- time clock.
The X728 reserves the 40-pin header that can be stacked with other Raspberry Pi accessory boards for enhanced applications. The X728 can also be used with the X825/X828/X829 (2.5" HDD/SSD Shield) and X857/X862/X872 (MSATA/M.2 SSD shield) for safe data backup.

[Safety Instructions]

  • You must read these safety instructions and warnings before charging your batteries.
  • Lithium Polymer and Li-ion batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury and damage to property if charged or used improperly.
  • Never make wrong polarity connection when charging and discharging battery packs. Always double check polarity of battery's connector to make sure "+" to "+" and "-" to "-".
  • Do not mix and use old batteries and new batteries, or batteries with different brand names.
  • Lithium batteries has it's cycle life, please replace old battery with new one when it reaches it's service life or when it is two year old, whichever comes first.
  • When charging Battery Pack, please put battery in a fire proof container. Please don't leave the X728 on the wood material or carpet and unattended.
  • Must keep the X728 away from children.

[For Use With]

  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ 
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ 
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B 
  • Raspberry Pi 2 Model B 
  • Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+

[Operating System]

  • Raspbian Stretch
  • Safe shutdown function tested for Raspbian, other operating systems to be tested and advised

[Key Features]
Smart and powerful Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

  • Provides continuous operations for up to 10~30hours (depending on battery type and qty used)
  • Max 5.1V 8000mA Power Backup for even the most demanding RPi set ups
  • Can work with X728-A2 stackable 2-cell battery holder to increase battery capacity
  • Supports 3000mA fast battery charging
  • Integrated over current protection and over voltage protection
  • Integrated Maxim's fuel-gauge systems (Reading battery voltage and percentage via i2c)
  • Integrated 10-A fully-integrated synchronous boost converter
  • Intelligent automatic charging and discharging
  • On-board 4 green LEDs indicate battery charging and discharging levels of 25%, 50% , 75% and 100%

Intelligent and safe power management

  • Equipped with momentary button for easy power control
  • Press the button to turn on
  • Press the button and hold for 1~2seconds to reboot
  • Press the button and hold for 3~7seconds to implement safe shutdown
  • Press the button and hold for >8seconds to force shutdown
  • Supports safe shutdown and full poweroff through software
  • On-board blue LED shows the status of power on, reboot and shutdown
  • AC power loss or power adapter failure detection (LED and GPIO detection)
  • On-board pin header allows to select auto power-on when power supplied
  • Automatic safe shutdown when battery low (voltage <3.0V)
  • Ultra-low standby power consumption to maximize battery life
  • Operate in both charge mode and boost mode to allow full system management and battery power management
  • Integrated IN-to-SYS pass-through path to pass the input voltage to the system
  • Advanced system power-path management avoids batteries frequent charging and discharging
  • Advanced system power-path management allows 3A fast charging and powering Raspberry Pi at the same time

Integrated Hardware DS1307 Real Time Clock (RTC) with Battery Back-Up

  • Keeps track of the time while the Raspberry Pi is switched off
  • Allows the Raspberry Pi to retrieve the current date and time when it is switched back on
  • Uses the 18650 battery to maintain the date and time - no additional battery required
  • Powers the Raspberry Pi via the 40-pin header - no additional cabling required
  • On-board DC power jack (5.5*2.5mm) and Type-C socket convenient for power input
  • On-board PH2.0 connector allows to connect external power switch and DIY your perfect case
  • On-board XH2.54 power output connector allows to power other devices
  • Reserves the 40-pin header that can be stacked with other Raspberry Pi accessory boards

[Specifications]

  • Power supply via Type-C socket : 5Vdc ±5%, ≥3A,
  •                       Via DC power jack : 5Vdc ±5%, ≥4A
  • UPS output : 5.1V ±5% Max 8A
  • UPS charging current: 2.3~3.2A
  • Terminal Battery Voltage : 4.24V
  • Recharge Threshold : 4.1V

Note:

  • Do not apply power to your Raspberry Pi via the Micro USB socket or Type-C socket.
  • Do not use 18650 battery with built-in protection circuit.

There are two accessories X728-A1 cooling fan and X728-A2 18650 2-Cell battery holderto be released in the future for X728 board.

X728-A1

  • X728-A1 Optional Raspberry Pi cooling fan
  • Completely solve the overheating problem of your Raspberry Pi
  • Efficient drop temp of your Raspberry Pi by using the X728-A1
  • Stackable design allows you to connect both X728 and X728-A1on your Raspberry Pi
  • On-board XH2.54 power output connectors allow to power other devices
  • Reserves the 40-pin header that can be stacked with other Raspberry Pi accessory boards


X728-A2

  • X728-A2 Optional 18650 2-Cell battery holder
  • Stackable 18650 two cells lithium Ion holder
  • Ideal solution to increase battery capacity
  • Integrated battery protection circuit

How to solve the heat dissaption problem for Raspberry Pi 4?

You can use Geekworm Rasperry Pi 4 embedded heatsink with cooling fan to get better heat dissaption for Raspberry Pi 4.

 

Power Jack and Connectors

  1. X728 powers the Raspberry Pi via the 40-pin header (Pin 2 & 4)
  2. Don't power the Raspberry Pi via the Pi's type-C USB socket
  3. X728 can be powered via the onboard DC jack or Type-C USB power socket

6-Pin Function Header

 

Connector for External Power Switch

  1. Please use momentary switch only and don't use latching switch
  2. Connector - Pitch 2.0mm 4pos

Power button (Script for power mgnt installed)

 

Function LEDs

 

Fuel gauge - LED Indicator

Operation of Discharging:

Operation of charging:

 

Pins and GPIO used

 

18650 battery dimension

18650size.png 

Do not use 18650 battery with built-in protection circuit.

X728-Software Guide

The following test is base on '2020-02-13-raspbian-buster.img'

Python version: V2.7

1. Enable I2C funcion on Raspbian:

 sudo raspi-config

Select 5 Interfacing Options and then P5 I2C - Enable/Disable automatic loading. A prompt will appear asking Would you like the ARM I2C interface to be enabled?, select "Yes"

Rpi-config-1.jpg
Rpi-config-5.jpg
Rpi-config-6.jpg

Select "OK"

Select "Finish" to return to the command line and reboot your raspberry pi.

 sudo reboot

2. Install necessary software (python and i2c tool library)

sudo apt-get install python-smbus

sudo apt-get install i2c-tools 


3. Download x728 setup scripts:

 
git clone https://github.com/geekworm-com/x728.git
cd x728


4. Install script&reboot:


sudo bash x728.sh
printf "%s\n" "alias x728off='sudo x728softsd.sh'" >> ~/.bashrc 
sudo reboot


5. Set and Read the RTC time

 
#If you need to set the system time for any reason you can use the following command :  
date -s "5 MAR 2019 13:00:00"

 
#Write the system date and time to the RTC module after your correct the system date and time :  
sudo hwclock -w

 
#Read the date and time back from the RTC module:  
sudo hwclock -r


6. How to reading battery voltage and percentage, this is the sample code, you can modify it by your request.

 sudo python x728bat.py


7. Power off command on Raspbian from software

 x728off


8. Testing AC power off/loss or power adapter failure detection (need to shor the 'PLD' pin)

 sudo python x728pld.py
3 comments
by Graeme on March 12, 2022

Hi,
I am writing some code in Golang (not Python) to interact with the Maxim fuel gauge chip you use on the DC UPS board (x728) I have the board up and running, and the Python code you provided works perfectly, but i need to integrate more control into my Golang program. Can you please tell me what Maxim chip you use? I have looked at your Wiki on the x728 boardm and it only talks about “Maxim’s fuel-gauge systems” but does not provide the part number. Please can you do so as this is going to make development for me a lot easier, thank you.

by Lisa on August 11, 2021

Hello,Carl
Power supply Via DC power jack : 5Vdc ±5%, ≥4A;
You can enter the store to search for x728, or buy directly here:https://geekworm.com/products/raspberry-pi-x728-max-5-1v-8a-18650-ups-power-management-board?variant=32690495488088

If any questions, please email to us【info@geekworm.com】
Best regards

by Carl Hamilton on August 11, 2021

Hello.
How can I purchase this UPS from you.
What is the range of the input voltage of the DC Jack?
My skype address is
live:.cid.15e0e1e118c6e39
Please quick communication

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