Toaster is Triple output USB step up power supply module designed to fit snuggly into a breadboard. It is powered by a single 5V USB port or charger and outputs three voltages simultaneously, these being 3.3V, 5V and a variable supply which is capable of 5V to 16V. I am currently running a Kickstarter campaign for Toaster which you can feel free to check out here: Toaster on Kickstarter
The Kickstarter campaign has now ended and ended up doing really well. Thank you to all the backers! You can buy a Toaster from my Tindie page here:
Now that I think about it, that button is probably bigger than it needs to be, here’s a smaller version:
NOTE: Downloads are at the very bottom of this page.
The Story
Toaster came about when I wanted a simple breadboard power supply that could power my standard 3.3V / 5V digital circuits such as a microcontroller, but would also be able to run some analog circuitry at the same time. Since most breadboards these days seem to have dual supply rails, I decided to make something to fit the need and so Toaster was born!
Toaster is simple to use, simply plug it into your breadboard and then into a USB port or charger. Toaster will then provide you with 3.3V, 5V power supply rail plus another supply rail which is variable from 5V all the way up to 16V. All from a single 5V source!
Standard Dual Rail Breadboard Connection
Toaster uses a really neat piece of electronics called a DC to DC converter which allows a smaller voltage to be boosted up to a larger voltage. In this case, the 5V input from the USB port can be boosted anywhere up to 16V. Fantastic for powering all sorts of analog circuits! This voltage step up does come at a cost however, the higher the voltage that you want, the more current the Toaster needs to draw from the USB port to achieve that voltage. Check out the table below to see the maximum current for each voltage setting.
Maximum Output Current Figures
Specifications
- Input Connection – USB Mini B and USB Micro
- Input Voltage – 5Volts
- Input Current (max) – 1Amp
- Output Voltage 1 – 3.3 Volts
- Output Voltage 2 – 5V
- Output Voltage 3 – Variable 5 Volts to 16 Volts
- Protection – 1.1Amp Resettable Fuse
- Output Connection – Standard Dual Rail Breadboard 2.54mm (0.1″) Spacing.
- Board Dimensions 50mm x 25mm
User Modified Toasters
John purchased a Toaster from Tindie and sent me a message with some info about a modification he made to his. He attached a nice little three digit voltmeter to the variable supply output – thereby getting rid of the need for a multimeter:
Downloads
The following zip file contains the bill of materials, pcb and schematic design files and also gerber files. You will need DIPTRACE to view and edit the design files, however you won’t require DIPTRACE if you aren’t interested in editing the design files – PDF’s are included also.
Toaster 1.0 Files (1130 downloads)You can also download the Fritzing ‘virtual’ Toaster here:
Toaster Fritzing Design (1449 downloads)
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Great post with great content, just randomly came here and it amazes me with untapped information..
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Hi Brad,
I was wondering if there is an estimation, when you will have new Toasters and DigiRules available for purchase.
I already subscribed for updates on Tindie.
Thank you in advance for a short reply.
Best regards,
NVi
Hi NVi – sorry for my delayed reply, we had been away on holiday.
I have a number of projects on the go at the moment and therefore I don’t think I will have a new batch on Tindie until early next year some time. As you have subscribed on Tindie – you will get an email to once they are available 🙂
[…] in the small circuit board plugged into the left-hand side of the breadboard. This is called a Toaster and it was created by Bradley Slattery who hails from Down Under. I pledged for two Toasters on […]
I have Toasters for sale again! They are for sale on Tindie via this link:
https://www.tindie.com/products/bradsprojects/toaster-the-3-output-usb-breadboard-power-supply/
I’ll send you through an email Jeff.
Jeff – sorry for the extremely late reply, I do have some more for sale if you would like any. Are you still after some? if so – how many?
How much are the toasters? I would be in the market for 3 of them. Also do you have any more DigiRule? I would be in the market for 3 of those also (but would settle for less).
Let me know. Thanks,
Jeff
Hi Steve, I do have some left overs but am not looking to produce any just at the moment. We’re you after just 20, or did you in fact want more than that?
Just wondered whether anyone has this device still in production, or am I going to have to put a batch together myself? I really don’t have the skill to give them the right testing. Right now I’d happily buy 20 just to give them away to friends. I backed the kickstarter campaign and this is a really great little supply.
Do you plan to have these for sale again soon? Thanks.
Hey Brad, i backed two toasters a few months back and for some reason one of them malfunctioned :/ is there any way i can purchase a few more. Great product btw!
Thanks
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Thanks for the comments Gary and Will! Great to hear it’s working nicely for you Gary 🙂
Thanks Brad
The Toaster is proving extremely useful with all the LED lighting projects that I am working on. I can get the 12volts that I need along with the 3-5volt for Picaxe and Arduino projects. Now all in one compact supply right on board.
Thank you.
Sorry for the late replies here guys.
@Leon – I don’t have any for sale at the moment but will in the future. I’ll post here when I do.
@Will – The switch was removed and now you have access to both 3.3V and 5V at the same time 🙂
Hi Brad,
Very happy to have received my toaster, really helpful. One question I do have is about th e 3V/5V switch. I dont have one on my board so does that mean both 3V and 5V are available?
Thanks
So I cannot order the product any more?
Just put my first breadboard together and looking forward to having this board meet my computers. If you are soldering your own pins, use a large-ish iron – the warnings about the heatsinking effects of the ground-plane are well-founded. Very happy with both design and build quality.
Awesome project!!! Are there any more of the Kickstarter Toasters for sale or via donations, the pledge/donation links on Kickstarter are not valid/working any more. Thanks. LFSternn…
Hi Ross, the download link already has a PDF version of the schematic as well as gerber files so you won’t need to download DIPTRACE if you don’t need to.
Thanks for that Brad.
Hi Brad,
Could I ask you to output your schematic in pdf format please? I use Eagle and have no interest in installing Diptrace just to be able to view your schematic. Hope you understand.
Cheers,
Ross
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Hi Bruce, if you have a look just above the download link there are some details about DIPTRACE which is the software required to view / edit the PCB design and schematic files.
What software do you use for schematics and layouts? I’ve never seen the .dip and .dch extensions before.
This is the perfect way to break down this inrofmation.
What the Hell did Kickstarter do?
Got some E-Mail where i should answer a qeustion from you
… but i can nothing do.
The same shit with “Bela”
What stupid People work at KICKSTARTER
I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about. Did you back the Toaster? If so, can you tell me your kickstarter username so I can check my backer list?
Simply beautiful!