SPIDER Automation Adafruit Proto Doubler PiCowbell | Dual-Slot Expansion & Battery Carrier | For Raspberry Pi Pico Series
Description
SPIDER Automation Adafruit Proto Doubler PiCowbell transforms how you build and prototype with the Raspberry Pi Pico family. Designed to bridge the gap between temporary breadboard layouts and rugged final builds, this double-wide carrier board features side-by-side dual slots that let you mount your microcontroller and an expansion wing flatly together without messy vertical stack-headers. Whether you are building battery-operated IoT sensors, wearable micro-devices, or custom automation controllers, the PiCowbell delivers professional power management and wiring flexibility right to your workbench.
Engineered with meticulous attention to maker needs, the board features an onboard JST PH battery connector coupled with active 3.7V/4.2V lithium charging circuitry, clear dual-color charge indicator LEDs, and a power-saving slide switch tied to the Pico Enable pin. For rapid peripheral connection, it includes a plug-and-play STEMMA QT / Qwiic I2C port alongside an extensive mini breadboard-style prototyping layout, complete with gold-plated pads, trace-cutting capabilities, and dedicated ground distribution rails.
Key Features
- Twin 2×20 Slim Sockets: Side-by-side slot layout for mounting your Pico and an accessory board simultaneously, complete with an extra row of accessible sockets for every pin.
- Versatile Battery Power Interface: JST PH connector designed to accept 3.7V/4.2V LiPo/LiIon cells or standard Alkaline/NiMH batteries (with a disable charge jumper for non-rechargeable cells).
- Advanced Lithium Charging Circuitry: Onboard charger tailored for 1-cell batteries running at a default 500mA rate, which can be easily adjusted down to 250mA.
- Visual Charge Status Indicators: Dedicated bright orange LED for active charging and green LED indicating complete charge status.
- Power Control Slide Switch: Directly disables the 3.3V system power supply through a connection with the Pico Enable pin to conserve battery life.
- Accessible Reset Button: Conveniently positioned at the outer edge of the board for quick, hassle-free reboots during code debugging.
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic Connectivity: JST SH 4-pin port providing instant, solder-free I2C integration (3V, GND, IO4/SDA, IO5/SCL) or alternative custom GPIO wiring.
- Extensive Breakout Provisions: Extra breakout holes specifically designed for auxiliary I2C connections and custom signal routing.
- Mini Breadboard Prototyping Grid: Three-hole connected strips mimicking traditional breadboards, equipped with optional trace-cutting tracks for custom circuit isolation.
- Duplicate Pad Architecture: Dual-hole pads built for easy, clean solder-jumpering and component bridging.
- Optimized Ground & Power Rails: Long ground strips positioned near the reset button, connected 3.3V power holes, and clear white silkscreen ground markings for foolproof wiring.
- Premium Gold-Plated Pads: High-durability surface finish ensuring effortless, clean soldering and maximum electrical conductivity.
Benefits
- Zero-Vertical-Bloat Layout: Spreads components horizontally to keep project enclosures sleek and compact.
- Seamless Plug-and-Play Compatibility: Fully compatible with pre-pinned headers on Pico H and Pico WH variants without requiring soldering tools for initial setup.
- Safe Portable Deployments: Safely transition from USB tethering to independent battery power with built-in over-charge protection and power-off toggles.
- Rapid Solder-Free Sensor Integration: Hook up environmental sensors, real-time clocks, or OLED displays instantly using standard 4-pin STEMMA QT cables.
- Permanent Prototyping Stability: Test code on the breadboard-style grid and seamlessly solder permanent components onto robust gold-plated pads.
Applications
- Portable IoT Data Loggers: Remote, battery-driven sensor nodes deployed for environmental monitoring.
- Wearable Technology & Handheld Gadgets: Compact micro-controller rigs powered by lightweight lithium chemistry cells.
- Smart Desktop & Automation Accessories: Custom USB macro pads, notification lights, and desk clocks.
- STEM Educational Workshops: Teaching microcontroller programming, circuit design, and hardware expansion safely in classrooms.
Package Includes
- 1 x Adafruit Proto Doubler PiCowbell Expansion Board
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Brand / Series | SPIDER Automation / Adafruit PiCowbell Ecosystem |
| Item / Component Type | Dual-Slot Prototyping & Battery Management Add-On Board |
| Model Number / SKU | Proto Doubler PiCowbell / SKU-SPIDER-ADAFRUIT-PROTO-DOUBLER-PICO |
| Host Microcontroller Compatibility | Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico H, Pico W, and Pico WH |
| System Logic Voltage | 3.3V DC Regulated |
| Battery Compatibility & Interface | 3.7V / 4.2V 1-Cell LiPo/LiIon via JST PH Connector (500mA / 250mA Selectable Charge Rate) |
| Onboard Connectivity | Dual 2×20 Slim Sockets, STEMMA QT / Qwiic 4-Pin I2C Port, Auxiliary Breakouts |
| Prototyping Infrastructure | 3-Hole Connected Strips, Duplicate Pads, Trace-Cutting Tracks, Gold-Plated Solder Pads |
| Physical Dimensions | 67.3 mm (Length) × 52.0 mm (Width) × 5.6 mm (Height) |
| Package Shipping Weight | 0.018 kg |
| Package Shipping Dimensions | 7 cm × 6 cm × 2 cm |
