Which LiPo batteries should I buy?
Which sizes are recommended?
If you want to use a Li-Po battery, you'll need rechargeable 3.7V Li-Po batteries. We recommend using those sized 501220, however other sizes can also work. A 501220 battery usually has a capacity of 90mAh.
There's some logic to the numbers:
- The 501220 battery is 5.0mm in thickness, by 12mm in width and 20mm in length
A 501220 battery installed on the LiPo battery board.
Other sizes can also work next to the recommended size, but there are some size limitations.
- The maximum thickness will always be 5.0mm
- The maximum width is 12mm, but it can be wider if you don't mind the battery sticking out.
- The optimal height is 23mm if you still want to see the
on/offandrsttext. The maximum height is 28.45mm. Similarly, it can be taller if you don't mind the battery sticking out. You may also place the battery on an angle if this is the case. - Minimum capacity of 80mAh, as the charge rate is set to 100mA, a smaller capacity could be damaged by this charge rate.
Constraints of the LiPo battery board.
An example of a 301230 batteries, which is commenly used on nice!nano's, placed on an angle is shown below. It is recommended to make sure that the battery does not stick out in height too much, so you can more easily access the power switch and reset buttons.
It's also possible to position the battery in a different place, like between the keyboard PCB and bottom plate, you may need to use longer spacers if you plan to do that. Any size limitation is then also removed!
A 301230 battery installed on the LiPo battery board.
The angle of a 301230 battery installed on the LiPo battery board.
Where can I buy Li-Po batteries?
Unfortunately, due to (understandably) very strict restrictions on shipping batteries internationally, splitkb.com currently does not sell batteries, so you will have to acquire them somewhere else. You should always buy a battery that has the yellow kapton tape attached as this usually indicates that the battery comes with a protection circuit. This is highly recommended as it mitigates most risks with handling a Li-Po battery. The battery board comes with a JST-PH connector and JST pin connectors if you need to crimp your own connector.
We have created a list of known retailers below. If you know any more retailers in your country or location that sell LiPo batteries, feel free to reach out to support@splitkb.com or on discord so we can add it to the list!
Worldwide:
- Aliexpress, Size 501220. This comes without a connector so you will need to crimp your own.
USA:
- Adafruit, Recommended size 401230. This will either stick out a little bit or it can be placed on an angle as shown above.
- Sparkfun, They only sell batteries that have a capacity that is too small or larger batteries. The larger batteries will either stick out or you can place it elsewhere as mentioned above.
- Pimoroni, They only sell larger batteries so the battery will either stick out or you can place it elsewhere as mentioned above.
Sweden:
- electro:kit, Recommended size 401230. This comes with a different connector so you will need to crimp your own. This will either stick out a little bit or it can be placed on an angle as shown above.
Germany:
- SEGOR-electronics, Recommended size 301230. This will either stick out a little bit or it can be placed on an angle as shown above.
- EREMIT, They only sell larger batteries so the battery will either stick out or you can place it elsewhere as mentioned above.
Netherlands:
- KIWI electronics, They only sell larger batteries so the battery will either stick out or you can place it elsewhere as mentioned above.
- Conrad, Recommended size 401230 This will either stick out a little bit or it can be placed on an angle as shown above.
Next to these options you can also find more batteries on Ebay or other Aliexpress sellers. Make sure that the battery has a JST-PH connector if you don't want to crimp your own.