# LipoCharger
-This is a simple but effective charger for LiPo batteries. It has a higher
-charge rate than the on-board charger on [TeleMetrum](../TeleMetrum), and
-will be necessary for charging the batteries used with projects like
-[TeleNano](../TeleNano) and [TeleMini](../TeleMini), which do not have
-on-board charging capability.
+This is a simple but effective, dual-rate, standalone charger for Lithium
+Polymer batteries. It supports who different charge rates, approximately
+100mA and 500mA. The higher rate is good for batteries of 400 mAh and higher
+including the 900mAh cells sold with [TeleMetrum](../TeleMetrum) starter kits,
+while the lower rate is more appropriate for the 110mAh cells often used with
+[TeleMini](../TeleMini). A standalone charger is essential for use with
+TeleMini since it does not have on-board charging capability.
## Features ##
### User View ###
-* Wall-wart power supply to our standard 2mm LiPo battery connector
+* Micro USB connector for power input
+* 2mm JST-style connector for battery
+* dual-color LED
+ * red when charging
+ * green when charge complete
+ * both on, or "yellow", when battery is disconnected or bad
* 1.0 x 0.4 inch board
### Developer View ###
* Hardware Features
- * [Microchip MCP73837](http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en531507) Li-ion battery charger chip
- * Strain-relief holes for soldering to wall-wart leads
+ * [Microchip MCP73831](http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en024903) Li-ion battery charger chip
* Tools Used
* [gEDA](http://www.gpleda.org/) for schematic capture and PCB layout
* Licenses
## Future Plans ##
-We need to build and evaluate some prototypes, and review costing, before
-deciding whether this design will go into production.
+After some iteration, we have settled on a design that meets our needs.
+Boards will be available for sale soon.
+
projects / web / altusmetrum / blobdiff