X1206

X1206 UPS Shield for RPi 5

X1206 Raspberry Pi 5 UPS-Interface

X1206 Raspberry Pi 5 UPS-Battery Requirement

How to Power X1206 Raspberry Pi 5 UPS

X1206 Raspberry Pi 5 UPS

Safety Instructions & Warnings

• You must read these safety instructions and warnings before charging your batteries.
• Lithium Polymer and Li-ion batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury and damage to property if charged or used improperly.
• Never make wrong polarity connection when charging and discharging battery packs. Always double check polarity of battery's connector to make sure "+" to "+" and "-" to "-".
• Do not mix and use old batteries and new batteries, or batteries with different brand names.
• Lithium batteries has it's cycle life, please replace old battery with new one when it reaches it's service life or when it is two year old, whichever comes first.
• When charging Battery Pack, please put battery in a fire proof container. Please don't leave the UPS shield on the wood material or carpet and unattended.

Overview

This X1206 is an ultra-compact advanced uninterruptible power supply expansion board designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 5. It features a 4-cell Lithium 21700 battery holder, supporting up to 10,000mAh (with 4 cell 21700 batteries), with its advanced features and robust power backup capabilities, the X1206 is perfect for even the most demanding Raspberry Pi setups.

Model	Compatible with	Position	Lithium battery type	Battery Holders	Power Input	Power Output	Note	Matching Case
X1200	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	18650 Battery	2-Cell	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1200	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x2	-	X1200-C1
X1201	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	18650 Battery	2-Cell	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1201 5Vdc ≥3A via XH2.54-2P connector of X1201	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x3	Ultra-thin	X1201-C1
X1202	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	18650 Battery	4-Cell	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1202 6-18Vdc ≥3A via DC 5521 power jack of X1202 6-18Vdc ≥3A via XH2.54-2P connector of X1202	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x2	-	X1202-C1
X1203	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	18650 Battery	No battery holder	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1203 6-18Vdc ≥3A via DC 5521 power jack of X1203 5Vdc ≥3A via XH2.54-2P connector of X1203	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x2	-	-
*X1205	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	21700 Battery	2-Cell	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1205 9-18Vdc ≥3A via DC 5521 power jack of X1205 9-18Vdc ≥3A via XH2.54-2P connector of X1205	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x2	-	X1205-C1
*X1206	Raspberry Pi 5	Bottom	21700 Battery	4-Cell	5Vdc 5A via USB Type-C of X1206 9-18Vdc ≥3A via DC 5521 power jack of X1206 9-18Vdc ≥3A via XH2.54-2P connector of X1206	5Vdc Power Output XH2.54-2P x2	-	X1206-C1

Reliable Power Backup: The X1206 provides a stable 5.1V 6000mA power backup, ensuring uninterrupted operation of your Raspberry Pi. Whether you are running resource-intensive applications or powering multiple peripherals, the X1206 delivers reliable and consistent power supply.

Enhanced Power Management: One of the standout features of the X1206 is its enhanced power management system. It intelligently monitors the power status of the Raspberry Pi and automatically cuts off power when the Pi is shut down. This helps optimize battery life by entering an ultra-low standby power consumption mode. It ensures efficient operation and maximizes the lifespan of the UPS battery.

Seamless Power Switching: Equipped with AC power loss and power adapter failure detection, the X1206 seamlessly switches to backup power in the event of a power outage or power adapter failure. This feature guarantees that your Raspberry Pi remains operational and protected from unexpected power disruptions.

Convenient Features: The X1206 offers convenient features such as auto power-on and always power-on, enabling your Raspberry Pi to automatically boot up when power is restored. It also supports full power-off from software, allowing you to safely shut down your Raspberry Pi without manual intervention.

Fast Charging: With fast charging capabilities of up to 3000mA, the X1206 ensures quick recharging of the UPS, making it ready to provide backup power whenever needed.

Versatile Design: The X1206 is designed to be attached on bottom and don't use the 40-pin header, enabling easy stacking with other Raspberry Pi accessory boards. This versatility allows you to expand the functionality of your Raspberry Pi and create enhanced applications tailored to your specific needs.

Seamless Data Backup: The X1206 is compatible with our range of storage products such as X1001,X1000,X1004 top pips etc, providing seamless integration for safe and reliable data backup. Your valuable data remains protected, even in the event of a power failure.

Enhance the reliability and performance of your Raspberry Pi 5B with the X1206 UPS expansion board. Experience peace of mind with its advanced features and robust power backup capabilities. Trust the X1206 to ensure uninterrupted operation and safeguard your valuable data.

What is the difference between X1206 and X1202:

• X1206 uses a wide voltage power input (9V-18V);
• Uses a higher capacity 21700 lithium battery to provide longer power supply time;
• The power supply capacity through the DC jack is greatly increased from 5.5A of X1202 to 10A

Features

For use with	Raspberry Pi 5 Only
UPS Output	Provides continuous operation for up to 10 hours (duration depends on battery type and applications) Supports a maximum current output of 5.1V 6000mA, suitable for most Raspberry Pi applications Integrated Advanced Power MOSFET with an equivalent of 7mΩ RDS(ON) to minimize power loss Convenient pogo pin connection for powering the Pi, eliminating the need for cabling and soldering Equipped with XH2.54 connectors and two USB sockets for 5V power output (Share 6000mA current output)
Battery Charging	Supports fast battery charging with a upto 3000mA current Battery charging control can be managed via GPIO Provides protection against battery overcurrent and overvoltage Built-in protection against reverse connection of battery cells Integrated Maxim's fuel-gauge systems for reading battery voltage and percentage over i2c On-board LEDs indicate battery charging and discharging levels of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% Features a 4-cell 21700 battery holder, supporting up to 20,000mAh with four 21700 batteries
Power Input	Integrated high-efficiency step-down DC-DC converter Wide operating input range of 9V to 18V, strongly recommen Geekworm 12V 5V Power supply Up to 95% efficiency for optimal power conversion The power supply with DC jack can get up to 10A input current, which can achieve 3A fast charging while powering the system. Of course, this also depends on the DC power adapter you use. A good quality power adapter is very important. Allows power input from various sources such as a car, solder panel, and more Common power input jack size of 5.5x2.1mm Compatible with Raspberry Pi USB-C Power Supply
Power Management	Seamless power switching between backup power and power adapter On-board push button performs the same actions as the RPi 5's power button Automatically cuts off power when the Pi is shut down On-board LED indicates power status and Pi detection AC power loss and power adapter failure detection via GPIO Auto power-on when power is applied or restored Automatic safe shutdown when battery voltage is low (programmable) Ultra-low standby power consumption to maximize battery life Advanced system power-path management to minimize frequent charging and discharging of batteries
Misc	Connects to the Pi via convenient pogo pins, eliminating the need for additional cabling Designed to be attached on the bottom, allowing the use of favorite HATs alongside it XH2.54 connector available for adding your own power button
Power Supply Tips	The Wide 6-18V Input allows the user to choose the power supply flexibly. The required current is greater than or equal to 3A. The reserved 6-18V XH2.54 connector provide convenient power supply when integrate this ups shield with other products. A good quality power adapter is very important,Most of the problems you encounter are usually caused by using a poor quality power supply.Strongly recommen Geekworm 12V 5V Power supply
Notes	Only DC Jack power is enough, DON'T apply power to your Raspberry Pi 5 via the Type-C USB socket. Do not use 21700 battery with built-in protection circuit.

Technical specification

UPS output	5.1V ±5% Max 6A
Battery charging current	Max 2.3-3.2A
Terminal Battery Voltage	4.23V
Battery Recharge Threshold	4.1V
Ports & Connectors	DC power jack - 5.5x2.1mm 4-cell 21700 battery socket x1 5.1V Power output connector x2 - XH2.54 2-pin USB2.0 type-A power output socket x2 External power button connector x1 - XH2.54-2P
PCB Size	108mm x 85mm

Packing List

• 1 x X1206 UPS Shield
• 4 x CM2.5*4 screws

User Manual

• X1206 Software: X1206 Software

• Installation Guide

Installation Video https://youtu.be/T7AZgkphaKI

Matching Case

X1206-C1 case is designed for the raspberry pi 5 & X1206 ups shield only, also with space reserved on the top for mounting the Raspberry Pi 5 PIP boards, such as the X1001, X1004, X1003, X1000 and M901.

• Case dimensions: 112 x 91 x 64 mm / 4.41 x 3.58 x 2.52 inches

• 

  X1206-C1

• 

  X1206-C1 Applicatioon

• 

  X1206-C1 Interface-Front

• 

  X1206-C1 Interface-Rear

• 

  X1206-C1 Dimension

• 

  X1206-C1 Accessories

FAQ

Expand

Q. How to disable/enable the 5V output of the UPS when the RPi 5 is turned off?

A: Editing the EEPROM configuration

From the command line or Terminal window start by running the following command :

sudo rpi-eeprom-config -e

Set POWER_OFF_ON_HALT to 0 or 1 like this:

1: disable 5v outputs

0: enable 5v outputs

Press Ctrl-O, then enter, to write the change to the file.

Press Ctrl-X to exit nano (the editor).

Reboot your Raspberry Pi 5 to make the change take effect.

Expand

Q: Why does the message "This power supply is not capable of supplying 5A" appear??

X120X series UPS shield can provide enough 5A power supply capacity;

Please set as follows:

Open the Teminal window based on Raspberry Pi OS and execute the following command:

sudo rpi-eeprom-config -e

Add PSU_MAX_CURRENT=5000 at the end of the file that reads like this:

Press Ctrl-O, then enter, to write the change to the file.

Press Ctrl-X to exit nano (the editor).

Reboot your Raspberry Pi 5 to make the change take effect.

Note: If you are using other OS like Ubuntu, please flash Raspberry Pi OS first, and then re-flash other OS such as Ubuntu etc after completing the above settings.

If you are using USB peripherals that need to be powered from the RPi5's USB port, don't forget to enable the following settings to ensure that the RPi5's USB port's current output is not limited:

Add usb_max_current_enable=1 in the /boot/firmware/config.txt file.

Expand

Q: How to disable auto power on feature on X1200?

A: When you connect an external power supply, the UPS board will automatically power on the Pi 5 motherboard while it starts charging, this feature is called auto power on, considering that some customers need to disable this feature, so we have also disclosed the following solution to disable it: please use a soldering iron to remove the resistor indicated by the arrow in the illustration.

PS: We don't think you need to remove the resistor to disable 'AUTO ON' function. Since there is an onboard switch, if you don't want AUTO ON, just press the switch to completely cut off the power.

WARNING: Please consider the following risks before removing this resistor:

• Do not operate if you are not a professional user
• The removal operation may damage the MCU, so please be careful with the operation.
• Once you remove this resistor by yourself, you will lose the warranty of this product. We no longer offer any warranty for this product.
• Once you remove this resistor, you can only turn on the power output by pressing the on-board switch.

Expand

Q: How to disable auto power on feature on X1201?

A: When you connect an external power supply, the UPS board will automatically power on the Pi 5 motherboard while it starts charging, this feature is called auto power on, considering that some customers need to disable this feature, so we have also disclosed the following solution to disable it: please use a soldering iron to remove the resistor indicated by the arrow in the illustration.

PS: We don't think you need to remove the resistor to disable 'AUTO ON' function. Since there is an onboard switch, if you don't want AUTO ON, just press the switch to completely cut off the power.

WARNING: Please consider the following risks before removing this resistor:

• Do not operate if you are not a professional user
• The removal operation may damage the MCU, so please be careful with the operation.
• Once you remove this resistor by yourself, you will lose the warranty of this product. We no longer offer any warranty for this product.
• Once you remove this resistor, you can only turn on the power output by pressing the on-board switch.

Expand

Q: How to disable auto power on feature on X1202?

A: When you connect an external power supply, the UPS board will automatically power on the Pi 5 motherboard while it starts charging, this feature is called auto power on, considering that some customers need to disable this feature, so we have also disclosed the following solution to disable it: please use a soldering iron to remove the resistor indicated by the arrow in the illustration.

PS: We don't think you need to remove the resistor to disable 'AUTO ON' function. Since there is an onboard switch, if you don't want AUTO ON, just press the switch to completely cut off the power.

WARNING: Please consider the following risks before removing this resistor:

• Do not operate if you are not a professional user
• The removal operation may damage the MCU, so please be careful with the operation.
• Once you remove this resistor by yourself, you will lose the warranty of this product. We no longer offer any warranty for this product.
• Once you remove this resistor, you can only turn on the power output by pressing the on-board switch or external power switch.

Expand

Q: How to disable auto power on feature on X1203?

A: When you connect an external power supply, the UPS board will automatically power on the Pi 5 motherboard while it starts charging, this feature is called auto power on, considering that some customers need to disable this feature, so we have also disclosed the following solution to disable it: please use a soldering iron to remove the resistor indicated by the arrow in the illustration.

PS: We don't think you need to remove the resistor to disable 'AUTO ON' function. Since there is an onboard switch, if you don't want AUTO ON, just press the switch to completely cut off the power.

WARNING: Please consider the following risks before removing this resistor:

• Do not operate if you are not a professional user
• The removal operation may damage the MCU, so please be careful with the operation.
• Once you remove this resistor by yourself, you will lose the warranty of this product. We no longer offer any warranty for this product.
• Once you remove this resistor, you can only turn on the power output by pressing the on-board switch or external power switch.

Expand

Q: Why is the RPi5 LED still on and red after the UPS is turned off?

A: Please set as follows:

Open the Teminal window based on Raspberry Pi OS and execute the following command:

sudo rpi-eeprom-config -e

Change the setting of POWER_OFF_ON_HALT from 0 to 1

Press Ctrl-O, then enter, to write the change to the file.

Press Ctrl-X to exit nano (the editor).

Reboot your Raspberry Pi 5 to make the change take effect.

Expand

Q: What battery is recommended for this ups shield

A: 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.

For the X1203 shield:

If using a lithium battery, the required voltage is 3.7V;

if using a battery pack, please make sure it is a parallel battery pack.

There are 2 XH2.54-2P battery connectors on board, it is recommended to use the same type of battery.

Expand

Q: Run sudo i2cdetect -y 1, can't find I2C address 0x36?

A:

1. Make sure you enable i2c interface, refer to How to enable I2C

2. The UPS connects to the Pi GPIO via pogo pins, If the I2C address (0x36) is not detected, Please clear the leads of pin 3 and pin 5 on the GPIO header from the bottom of the Raspberry Pi PCB and install again, and also check if the pogo pin of ups shield is in close contact with the pad position of PI 5(you can adjust the [pogo pin] position).

There won't be any other problems, it's this poor contact that's causing it.

Expand

Q. How do you disable the X1202 auto-shutdown when you use it standalone (not installed on a RPi5)?

A:

Expand

Q. X1203 UPS voltage drops / low voltage warning appears?

A:

1.Powering the X1203 via Type C connector with / without the batteries，Pls check if you still have the issue.

2.Please clear the test pad on the Pi's PCB bottom which is used for connecting the X1203 for 5V power delivery.

Add your comment

Geekworm Wiki welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.

Sort by date Sort by score

Enable comment auto-refresher

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #6

9 hours 35 minutes ago

Score 0

Is it possible to get the pcbs technical drawing as I would like to design my own case for a specific use case

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

3 hours 54 minutes ago

Score 0

Hello,we can only provide the Dimensions source file (DXF).

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #5

15 days ago

Score 0

Hello! I've attached my Raspberry Pi to the x1206 UPS hat and ensured proper contact for all pins. Inserted four 21700 batteries properly oriented (+to+, -to-). Connected monitor/mouse/keyboard.

Tried to power UPS via DC power jack using Geekworm recommended power supply.

Also tried to power UPS via USB-C power input (the one on UPS board, not the one on Raspberry PI board) using official Raspberry Pi 5 power supply.

In both cases - Raspberry Pi booted successfully. But it showed a notification: "This power supply is not capable of supplying 5A. Power to peripherals will be restricted."

Brief research showed that it might be due to Raspberry Pi expecting to being powered via it's Type-C port and not being able to perform handshake with power supply cable.

Keyboard I use is Keychron K6 Pro, which is capable of connecting via BlueTooth (which works fine with my Raspberry Pi), and via USB Type-A port (which resulted in red notification "USB Overcurrent. Please check your connected USB devices").

I doublechecked - bare RPi with no UPS hat powered via it's Type-C port with official RPi power supply doesn't show red notification if Keychron K6 Pro keyboard is connected to any of RPi's USB Type-A ports.

Does it create any risk for my keyboard? Does it create any risk for my USB Memory Sticks and the integrity of data transferred to external device?

Is your UPS truly provides enough power to RPi to power all of it's Type-A ports properly? If yes - how can I configure my RPi to have all USB Type-A ports fully powered? Can I disable handshake check?

Is there anything else I can do to fix underpowered USB ports?

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

15 days ago

Score 0

Hello,please refer to FAQ ---[Q: Why does the message "This power supply is not capable of supplying 5A" appear??]

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #4

27 days ago

Score 0

Is it safe to power this UPS shield (with PRi mounted) if no batteries are inserted?

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

25 days ago

Score 0

That is not recommended.

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #3

27 days ago

Score 0

What will happen if I use a 21700 battery with a built-in protection circuit?

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

25 days ago

Score 0

Because most batteries with built-in protection are too large to fit, we recommend using one without built-in protection. Please refer to the battery size requirement(length max70.5mm; diameter max21.1mm),and please use flat top battery. if the size meets the requirement, you can use it.

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #2

one month ago

Score 0

Does it matter what amps the batteries are? The only top brand ones I see are like this. Samsung 50E 21700 5000mAh 9.8A Battery

Samsung 50S 21700 5000mAh 25A Battery

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

one month ago

Score 0

Hello,you can use it, but please note that the battery size requirements（Max 70.5 x 21.1mm） and use flat button batteries.

Permalink

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Anonymous user #1

2 months ago

Score 0

Can the X1009 and the X1206 be used together with one board? If so, which of the two do you plug the power cable into?

Permalink | Reply

You are ignoring the author of this comment

Show comment | Manage ignore list

Lisa

2 months ago

Score 0

X1206 UPS（5V power out） not support X1009（12V power input）.please refer to X-UPS1

Permalink