What is it?

This is a controlled step-up converter that uses an off-the-shelf DC-DC converter board using the MT3608, along with a MOSFET P-channel switch to control the input to the DC-DC converter.

This can take an input voltage of 2-24V DC and supply an output voltage up to 28V DC. Up to 2A can be supplied. The output is enabled by a control input. So you can power down the output if needed.

Why did you make it?

I needed to power a few weather sensors including an irradiance sensor and a soil moisture sensor. These sensors needed 9 - 28V DC as an input.

My data logging unit had a single-cell lithium-ion battery (around 4.2V DC) and a controlled 3.3V for the microcontroller I was using.

So I needed to power these sensors with 12 or 24V but only had 3.3V or 4.2V available. I needed a DC-DC boost converter. BUT I needed to really reduce your power consumption as this unit was fully solar powered in the UK, so could not have the sensor powered the whole time. I was only checking the sensors every 10 mins, so only needed to power for around 500mS every 10 mins.

I designed a PCB and ordered a few which have been very useful for powering sensors from a datalogger.

You apply 3.3V - 5V to the control input and it will switch on the DC-DC converter.

Your device can wake up, check your sensor, then go back to sleep and save lots of energy.

Maybe this simple logic-controller DC-DC step-up converter might also be useful for you!

What makes it special?

This is a simple low cost unit that can help with powering different sensors from battery based logging systems.

There are lots of DC-DC converters around but most pre-built units do not have an enable input. Either I needed to fully design a DC-DC converter or use a low-cost existing DC-DC converter, but add a MOSFET switch to it.

I could not find anything already designed, which is why I designed this. I ordered a few more than I needed as I thought this might be useful to other people.