X306

X306 V1.3 UPS Shield for Pi zero 2W

Pogo Pins of X306 V1.3

X306 V1.3

X306 UPS Shield for Pi zero W/2W

X306 UPS Shield for Pi zero W/2W + C296

X306 V1.1

X306 V1.1 UPS Shield for Pi zero W/2W

X306 V1.1 UPS Shield Packing List

X306 V1.1 UPS Shield for Pi zero W/2W - Rear View

X306-C1 metal case for V1.3 / V1.5, NOT V1.1

Updated

X306 is updated to V1.3 on May 28th, 2024.

Please check the information on the page on the sales platform to confirm the version you will get.

Only compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero 2W now
Removed 3 standard USB-A 2.0 ports (Users have less need for this. Can directly use OTG port on the Raspberry Pi motherboard)
Removed 4-pin header for external power swtich and always-on power option(Users have less need for this. Can can solder it yourself if needed)
Smaller size, simplified use

PS:

1. Shorting AL and ON will automatically power on

2. GND and PSW are pins for external reset/momentary switch

Overview

X306 is an ultra-thin one cell 18650 UPS shield designed for Raspberry Pi Zero 2W.

Features

Key Features	Ideal Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) solution for Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (X306 V1.1 support Pi Zero W also, but X306 V1.3 only support Pi Zero 2W) Max 5.1V 4000mA Power Backup for even the most demanding Raspberry Pi set ups 18650 single cell battery holder (Use 3.7V 18650 battery) Upto 1000mA charging current Integrated battery reverse polarity protection circuit Integrated over current protection and over voltage protection Intelligent automatic charging and discharging 4 blue LEDs indicate battery charging and discharging levels of 25%, 50% , 75% and 100% Red & green LEDs show the status of power on/off and charging status On-board push button to control power on /off (Press-ON, Hold the button pressed at least 3s -OFF) Ultra-low standby power consumption of μA to maximize battery life Advanced system power path management avoids frequent charging and extend battery life Connects to the Raspberry Pi via Pogo Pins - no wirindg & soldering required 4-pin header for external power swtich and always-on power option (Removed from X306 V1.3) Equipped with three USB2.0 ports and one USB2.0 4-through-holes for more USB expansion (Removed from X306 V1.3)
Specification	Input supply voltage: 5Vdc +/-5% Input supply current: ≥3A Charging current: 900~1050mA Trickle charge current: 130~140mA Predetermined Charge voltage: 4.2V +/-1.5% Output voltage: 5.1V +/-5% Max output current: 4000mA
Notes	BOOKWORM does not require any setup and can be used directly with a keyboard and mouse. When use with X306 V1.1, DO NOT connect any device to the Micro USB OTG port of Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, or the USB2.0 ports of X306 is not available to use.

How to Power

Power Input: 5.1Vdc +/-5% , ≥3A (Power Via USB Type-C port of X306 NOT Pi zero 2W)

How to charging X306 UPS shield?

How to Cool

Aluminum Heatsink for raspberry pi zero 2 w, please refer to C296

Support Geekworm C296 Heatsink for Pi Zero 2W

Packing List

1 x X306 18650 UPS Shield
4 x M2.5 x 5mm Screws

X306 V1.3 Packing List
X306 V1.1 Packing List

Matching Case

The Geekworm X306-C1 is a premium metal case specifically designed for use with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and Geekworm X306 V1.3 UPS board. Crafted with precision and durability in mind, this case provides a sleek and protective housing for your Raspberry Pi Zero 2W project.

Test of the impact of the casing on WiFi signals

It should be noted that the metal shell will have a certain shielding effect on WiFi, and the farther the device is from the router, the greater the effect will be.

We tested the effect of metal casing on Wi-Fi signal, and the results are as follows:

Test Result:

With X306-C1 metal case	Without X306-C1 metal case
2025-07-31 12:49:34: signal: -49 dBm	2025-07-31 14:39:41: signal: -48 dBm
2025-07-31 12:50:04: signal: -50 dBm	2025-07-31 14:40:11: signal: -42 dBm
2025-07-31 12:50:34: signal: -48 dBm	2025-07-31 14:40:41: signal: -42 dBm
2025-07-31 12:51:04: signal: -49 dBm	2025-07-31 14:41:11: signal: -42 dBm
2025-07-31 12:51:34: signal: -51 dBm	2025-07-31 14:41:41: signal: -45 dBm
2025-07-31 12:52:04: signal: -48 dBm	2025-07-31 14:42:11: signal: -42 dBm
2025-07-31 12:52:34: signal: -49 dBm	2025-07-31 14:42:41: signal: -41 dBm
2025-07-31 12:53:04: signal: -49 dBm	2025-07-31 14:43:12: signal: -42 dBm
2025-07-31 12:53:34: signal: -48 dBm	2025-07-31 14:43:42: signal: -43 dBm
2025-07-31 12:54:04: signal: -48 dBm	2025-07-31 14:44:12: signal: -47 dBm

WiFi signal strength reference range

-30 dBm to -60 dBm: Very strong signal (close to the router).

-60 dBm to -70 dBm: Good signal (suitable for daily use).

-70 dBm to -85 dBm: Weak signal (may affect speed or stability).

<-85 dBm: Extremely poor signal (difficult to connect or frequently disconnects).

Test subjects: X306-C1 metal case

Test Method: We flashed the Raspberry Pi OS Legacy (6 May 2025) version and used the script File:Wifi-signal-monitor.zip (download and unzip it) to obtain the WiFi signal strength with and without the X306-C1 metal case.

Other notes: The Raspberry Pi Zero 2W motherboard is about 3.5 meters away from the router, with no obstructions in between. Use the script wifi_signal_monitor.sh to test

2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band :Since the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W only supports the 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n WiFi band, you can only access 2.4GHz SSID hotspots.

Based on the above test results, we can draw a conclusion: X306-C1 can meet the needs of devices using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi when close to the router, which should be attributed to the larger heat dissipation hole design on the surface of the X306-C1 shell.

User Manual

X306 V1.x Dimension Source File

X306 V1.5 Dimensions source file (DXF): File:X306-pcb-V1.5.dxf - You can view it with Autodesk Viewer online
X306 V1.3 Dimensions source file (DXF): File:X306-pcb-v1.3.dxf - You can view it with Autodesk Viewer online
X306 V1.1 Dimensions source file (DXF): File:X306V1.1.dxf - You can view it with Autodesk Viewer online

X306 V1.1 4Pin header function description

4 Pin header function description:

Pin	Function
AL ON: Pin 1&2	Short: Power always on, power button disabled;
AL ON: Pin 1&2	Open: Power button Press to switch on, Hold 3 seconds to switch off
PWR SW: Pin 3&4	for external 2-pin momentary switch

"AL ON" enable, "PWR SW" will be disable.

"PWR SW" enable, "AL ON" will be disable.

FAQ

Q1. What 18650 battery is recommended?

A: 3.7V flat top 18650 battery is required. 18650 battery dimension is as follow

Please use high quality batteries from Samsung 35E 18650 lithium battery, Panasonic NCR18650B, Toshiba, etc. Do not use the battery with built-in protection circuit because it will limit the discharge current.

Q2. What is the power output for each usb port of X306 V1.1 Version?

A: It is 5V, all ports share 4A, not limited to 500mA.

Q3. Is there any way I can check from the raspberry pi if it's connected to the power or the battery from the UPS?

A: When connected to the power supply to X306, the power supply supplies power to the Raspberry Pi; remove the power supply, it is powered by the battery.

Q4. No data on the usb ports？

A: There is a feedback from buyers that solved this problem. Please refer to go to:X306#comment-4545

in config.txt comment out: dtoverlay=dwc2
and in cmdline.txt remove: modules-load=dwc2,g_ether
reboot and it works!

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Anonymous user #27

10 days ago

Score 0

how can i cut power off in usb port or unbind a device?

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Anonymous user #27

11 days ago

Score 0

I am having v1.1 and a 4g usb LTE attached. When i "sudo shutdown -h now" my pi zero i still have power at the usb port. How can i cut the power to usb port when pi is off? Also, as everybody here, i want to monitor cut off and battery status, in the next version.

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Lisa

7 days ago

Score 0

Hello, "sudo shutdown -h now" is the OS shutdown command， only turns off the PI ZERO 2W, but does not cut off the power to X306.

The X306 does not have a power management function， you can use the X306's power button to turn it off.

X306

Contents

Updated

Overview

Features

How to Power

How to Cool

Packing List

Matching Case

Test of the impact of the casing on WiFi signals

User Manual

X306 V1.x Dimension Source File

X306 V1.1 4Pin header function description

FAQ