qUPS-P-SC Raspberry Pi UPS HAT with large supercapacitor shown mounted on a Pi.

qUPS-P-SC: UPS HAT for Raspberry Pi with Ultra Durable Supercapacitor

Name: qUPS-P-SC
Brand: AQEX
Price: 24990 HUF
Availability: InStock

Power outages are no longer a threat. The qUPS-P-SC can handle short interruptions without an unexpected stop. For extended outages, it provides the critical time your Raspberry Pi needs for a graceful shutdown. Long-lasting, maintenance-free, environmentally friendly. Operates reliably across a wide temperature range.

Learn About Our Approach

The Objective Behind qUPS-P-SC

Close-up view of the qUPS-P-SC Raspberry Pi UPS HAT with a large supercapacitor

Create a UPS solution for Raspberry Pi or compatible product, which is durable, has low carbon footprint, and can be used in harsch environment.
As the battery is the bottleneck of the tradional UPS solutions for these requirements, we have chosen SuperCapacitor for energy storage. It has extra high charge cycle rate, and wide operational temperature range. It is much greener product.

Design Choices for qUPS-P-SC

From Factor

For easy assembly, qUPS has HAT form factor. Simply connect it via the 40 pin header.

Expendable Capacity

A powerful 100-120F supercapacitor for providing reliable backup power. Capacity is expandable with an external module.

High Efficiency

Highly efficient boost converter for increasing the backup time.

Minimize inline energy loss

Offline topology - very efficient in inline state. Disadvantage: very short (<1ms) voltage degradation at power loss. Raspberry Pi can handle such issue.

Stackability

Pins on the connector are long ones, all can be accessed from the top of the product.

Communication Ability

Capable of warning the Raspberry Pi in case of input power loss, and at low energy level of the energy storage for proper shutdown.

GPIO communication

Easy programming. Avoid extra load on capacitance limited I2C bus. Only 3 GPIO ports for communication. 3 options to choose from.

Disable communication

All GPIO ports can be used for other purpose.

Reliable connection

Massive, soldered pin header for power and signal connection. Pogo pins are not reliable.

Zero firmware

Everything is done by hardware.

Shutdown issue handling

If the power is coming back, when the Raspberry Pi is already in shutdown mode, it can stuck in this state. qUPS is able to handle this situation properly.

Safe boot

In AUTO mode the Raspberry Pi will be powered, if there are enough time for booting the OS and make a proper shutdown process. This level is adjustable.

Avoid restart cycle

If the qUPS’s energy level is too low in backup mode, it can’t power the system. Without a load, it restores 5V, causing the system to restart repeatedly. In AUTO mode, the qUPS switches off the power below an adjustable energy threshold.

On mode – the reason

In AUTO mode, the Raspberry Pi doesn’t start immediately, and the supercapacitor’s full capacity isn’t used. ON mode solves these, but safety features are lost.

qUPS-P-SC User Interface and Indicators

qUPS-P-SC HAT top view: Large supercapacitor clearly visible with I/O terminals and switches.

Raspberry Pi 2x20 pin connector

DIP Switch: setup GPIO ports & threshold levels

SuperCap level LED Feedback

USB-C connector: Power input

Reset connector

Input threshold tuning potmeter

Capacity extender

Mode switch

Auxiliary power input

Power LED

1 - Raspberry Pi 2x20 pin connector
2 - DIP Switch: setup GPIO ports & threshold levels
3 - SuperCap level LED Feedback
4 - Mode switch
5 - Auxiliary power input
6 - Power LED
7 - USB-C connector: Power input
8 - Input threshold tuning potmeter
9 - Capacity extender
10 - Reset connector