TP4056 Micro USB 5V 1A Li-ion Battery Charger Module with Protection for 1S 3.7V 18650 Cells, Overcharge/Overdischarge/Short-Circuit Safety, DIY Power Bank Charging Board

Overview

This TP4056 Micro USB Li-ion charger module is a compact, practical charging solution for single-cell (1S) rechargeable lithium batteries used in DIY electronics, portable instruments, and small power-bank style builds. It is designed around the TP4056 linear charging controller and is commonly supplied in a “charging board” format with Micro USB 5V input and solder pads for direct wiring. Many versions of this module also include a dedicated protection circuit on the same PCB, enabling safer day-to-day operation by helping prevent common battery fault conditions such as overcharge, deep discharge, and output short-circuit events (protection behavior and thresholds vary by module revision—verify markings and test in your application).

Technical Details

The TP4056 is a linear charger IC intended for charging a single Li-ion/LiPo cell using a CC/CV algorithm. In the constant-current phase, the module regulates charge current up to the configured limit (often advertised as 1A; actual current depends on the onboard resistor value, input supply capability, and thermal conditions). As the cell voltage approaches the regulation point (typically 4.2V for standard Li-ion chemistry), the charger transitions into constant-voltage mode and the current tapers down until termination criteria are met. Because this is a linear charger, the power dissipation is approximately (Vin

• Vbat) × Ichg, so heat can increase significantly at higher charge currents or with higher input voltage. For best results, use a stable 5V supply, ensure airflow or copper area for heat spreading, and consider reducing charge current if your enclosure is small or ambient temperature is high.

Protected versions of the board typically separate battery pads (B+ / B-) from load/output pads (OUT+ / OUT-). This allows the protection circuit to disconnect the load under fault conditions while still allowing controlled charging. If your module does not have OUT pads, it may be a charger-only variant without protection; in that case, system-level protection must be provided elsewhere, and the load-sharing behavior will differ. Always confirm the pad labels printed on your PCB before wiring.

Specifications

• Battery type: 1S Li-ion / LiPo rechargeable cells (3.7V nominal), including 18650 format cells
• Charge method: CC/CV single-cell charging (TP4056)
• Input: 5V via Micro USB and/or 5V input pads (exact acceptable range depends on module design—use regulated 5V)
• Charge voltage: typically 4.2V termination for standard Li-ion chemistry (verify for your cell chemistry)
• Charge current: up to 1A typical as commonly configured; actual value varies by module revision and thermal limits
• Protection: present on “with protection” versions; typical functions include overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, and short-circuit (thresholds vary—check datasheet/board markings)
• Indicators: onboard LEDs for charge status (implementation varies by module revision)

Applications

• Charging board for 18650 single-cell battery packs (1S) in DIY projects
• Portable sensor nodes, ESP/Arduino battery-powered builds (with appropriate regulation to 3.3V/5V as needed)
• Small handheld devices, test instruments, and rechargeable LED projects
• Prototyping battery management and safe charging workflows for single-cell lithium systems
• Power-bank style projects (note: boosting to 5V requires a separate boost converter module)

Integration Notes

• Use only single-cell (1S) lithium batteries. Do not connect 2S/3S packs.
• Confirm whether your board includes protection and whether it provides OUT+/OUT- pads. Wire the battery to B+/B- and the load to OUT+/OUT- when available.
• Provide a stable 5V input source capable of the required current. Weak USB ports or long cables can cause voltage drop and unstable charging.
• Manage heat: linear charging can run warm at higher currents. If your module becomes excessively hot, reduce charge current (if your revision supports changing the programming resistor) or improve cooling.
• Always match charging parameters to your battery’s datasheet (maximum charge current, termination voltage, temperature limits). For critical products, validate thresholds and behavior under fault conditions.

Included Components

1x TP4056 Micro USB Charger Module (with protection)