Waveshare Raspberry Pi 5 UPS Module 5V 6A Power Expansion Board Uninterruptible Power Supply

Specifications

• Compatibility: Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB, 8GB, and 16GB variants)
• Output Voltage: 5V DC (regulated via high-efficiency step-down converter)
• Maximum Output Current: 6A continuous / peak (designed for Pi 5 power demands)
• Input Charging Voltage: 5V DC (via onboard Type-C USB port)
• Battery Support: Dual 18650 Li-ion batteries
• Interface / Connection: High-current spring-loaded Pogo Pins (bottom side Pi 5 connection)
• Monitoring Interface: I2C bus (provides battery voltage, current, capacity, and charge status)
• Protection Circuitry: Overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, short circuit, and reverse polarity protection

Minimum hardware

• Raspberry Pi 5 Board (4GB, 8GB, or 16GB)  to interface with the UPS pogo-pin contacts and run I2C power monitoring scripts
• 2× High-Drain 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries (3.7V, Flat-Top)  essential to provide energy storage for the un-interruptible backup circuit; the UPS module cannot store power without them
• USB-C Power Adapter (5V/3A or higher)  required to supply charging current to the onboard battery charger while simultaneously powering the connected Pi 5 board
• Acrylic mounting plate & standoffs (included)  required to secure the UPS PCB to the Pi 5 and maintain precise pogo-pin pressure alignment

Safety Warnings

• Battery Polarity Warning: Pay critical attention to the + and - orientation markings printed inside the battery holder slots. Inserting 18650 Li-ion batteries backward will trigger short-circuit protection or permanently damage the onboard charging ICs.
• Battery Type Requirement: Use ONLY unprotected flat-top 18650 rechargeable Li-ion batteries (3.7V nominal). Button-top or built-in PCB protected 18650 cells may be physically too long to fit into the spring contacts safely.
• Pogo Pin Alignment: Ensure all spring-loaded pogo pins align precisely with the dedicated test pads on the bottom of the Raspberry Pi 5 before tightening the corner brass standoffs. Misalignment can short live power rails.

Accessories Included in the Box

• 1× Waveshare UPS HAT (E) Expansion Board for Raspberry Pi 5
• 1× Acrylic Protection Shield Plate
• 1× Pack of Brass Standoffs, Screws, and Mounting Hardware

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this Waveshare UPS Module compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4?
  No, this module is custom-engineered specifically for the physical layout, mounting hole spacing, and bottom-side pogo-pin contacts of the Raspberry Pi 5.
• Can I use this UPS module with all RAM variants of the Raspberry Pi 5?
  Yes, it is 100% compatible with the 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB RAM configurations of the Raspberry Pi 5.
• Can I mount an Active Cooler on top of the Pi 5 while using this UPS HAT?
  Yes, because the UPS module mounts beneath or stacks via pogo pins on the Raspberry Pi 5, the top CPU surface remains completely clear for active coolers or top-mounted heatsinks.
• Will this UPS module fit inside standard Raspberry Pi 5 plastic cases?
  No, standard low-profile plastic cases will not fit due to the added height of the double-slot 18650 battery holder base.
• What is the maximum output current delivered by this UPS module?
  The onboard high-efficiency regulator delivers up to 5V 6A peak output, ensuring stable power even under heavy CPU and PCIe expansion loads.
  
• Can I charge the 18650 batteries and power the Raspberry Pi 5 at the same time?
  Yes, the module supports simultaneous pass-through charging, supplying regulated 5V power to the Pi 5 while automatically charging inserted 18650 batteries via its USB Type-C port.
  
• Does the Pi 5 lose power or reboot when mains USB-C power is unplugged? No, the onboard switching circuitry switches to battery power instantly (zero switchover latency) without causing the Raspberry Pi 5 to reset or brown out.
• How does this UPS module connect electrical power to the Raspberry Pi 5?
  It uses high-current spring-loaded Pogo Pins that press directly against the power and ground test pads located on the underside of the Pi 5 PCB.
  
• Which GPIO pins are used for I2C battery telemetry monitoring?
  The board utilizes standard I2C pins (SDA / SCL) to transmit real-time battery voltage, current draw, and percentage data to Raspberry Pi OS.
  
• Do I need to solder any header pins onto my Raspberry Pi 5 board to use this module?
  No soldering is required; the included brass standoffs establish exact mechanical pressure for the pogo-pin power contacts and alignment.
• Why are my I2C monitoring scripts reporting reading errors or missing devices?
  Check that the pogo pins are firmly contacting the board test pads and confirm that I2C is enabled on bus 1 using i2cdetect -y 1.
  
• What happens if I accidentally insert one 18650 battery backward?
  The onboard reverse-polarity protection circuit prevents damage, but the module will not charge or supply power until the battery orientation is corrected.
  
• Why does the charge indicator LED remain red even after hours of charging? Ensure you are using a 5V 3A or higher USB-C power supply; low-current phone chargers may take significantly longer to charge dual high-capacity 18650 cells.
  
• My Pi 5 shows a low-voltage bolt icon — how do I fix this?
  Verify that all corner brass standoffs are tightened evenly to ensure full spring-compression on the 5V pogo pin contacts.