💬 Super Efficient Boost Converter

[openhardware.io]

https://www.openhardware.io/view/628/Super-Efficient-Boost-Converter

[NeverDie]

Epilog: I just noticed that Maxim has a very interesting boost converter with only 300na of quiescent current: https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX17220-MAX17225.pdf

The downsides I see to it are:

1. It's only available in a 2mmx2mm uDFN package, and soldering that may be beyond what most hobbyists, including me, can do.
2. It's about 3x more expensive.

That said, if it ever becomes available on a pre-made module of some kind, I'd love to try it.

[NeverDie]

The Maxim MAX1724 also looks interesting: https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX1722-MAX1724.pdf
because it has a 1.5ua quiescent current and an on/off switch. However, efficiency looks maybe not be as good, and at 4x the price, it's more difficult to justify. Still, if you need those two things, it looks like a good choice because it can be hand soldered.

Anyhow, if anyone has any other favorite chips for doing boost, please post.

[berkseo]

Is it suitable for devices running on one AA or AAA battery? Will it be effective or are there more interesting solutions?

[NeverDie]

@berkseo I presume so, but so far I've only confirmed that it works. If running a wireless device, then to be ultra conservative, one would want to have it charge a capacitor, then turn it off before an rx or tx, and then turn it on again. That would be true for any boost converter. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have an enable pin, so you'd have to make your own switch for it in that case. I don't know that it would be needed, but that would be the abundance of caution approach. Either that or make a low pass filter for it if it has any remaining voltage ripple. I haven't measured for that, so I can't say. It may or may not be an issue. Without doing measurements, I couldn't say. Again, that would be true for any boost converter.