# how to power the microbit IOT card with 5v?

**URL:** <https://forum.makecode.com/t/how-to-power-the-microbit-iot-card-with-5v/19785>\
**Category:** micro:bit\
**Created:** [May 8, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/how-to-power-the-microbit-iot-card-with-5v/19785 "2023-05-08T17:36:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MCZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@MCZ](https://forum.makecode.com/u/MCZ)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/how-to-power-the-microbit-iot-card-with-5v/19785/1 "2023-05-08T17:36:54Z")

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Hello,

I have a class project to do: I would like to power a microbit IOT card with solar panels that provide a voltage of 5 V by USB cable (panels from my hiking backpack) but the card only accepts 3 V  
I read that I could add a voltage regulator but I didn’t find which component to choose, can you please advise me?  
thanks

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KIKIvsIT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.makecode.com/kikivsit/32/10492_2.png) [@KIKIvsIT](https://forum.makecode.com/u/KIKIvsIT)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.makecode.com/t/how-to-power-the-microbit-iot-card-with-5v/19785/2 "2023-05-08T18:00:09Z")

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Note: I sorta wrote my response backwards. Please note that the most important information goes from bottom to top 🙂

The micro:bit does accept 5v through USB, or if you know how to strip the cable and get to the direct wires, you can solder a 5v connection right to the back of the board:

> **[How to run the BBC micro:bit on 5 volts external power](https://shop.makekit.no/en/blogs/guides/microbit-5v)**
>
> The micro:bit runs on 3V or 3,3 Volts from battery pack and 5V on USB. If you have a 5v power source and want to run the micro:bit, just solder the positive to the pad marked in red in this picture. You can verify this in advance by measuring...

Of course, you should also keep milliamps in mind. There’s some very useful info here:  
[https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/powersupply](https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/powersupply)

Now, if you knew for sure that the solar panel would always be sending 5v, you’d probably be fine going through the USB, but since solar panels are notoriously variable, you might want to consider either adding a variable-in step-down like this one:

> **[Amazon.com: 20 Pieces 3 Pins AMS1117-3.3 DC 4.75V-12V to 3.3V Voltage Regulator...](https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-AMS1117-3-3-4-75V-12V-Voltage-Regulator/dp/B08CDMZMDN)**
>
> Amazon.com: 20 Pieces 3 Pins AMS1117-3.3 DC 4.75V-12V to 3.3V Voltage Regulator Down Power Supply Buck 800mA Module : Electronics

However, if it were me, and if you’re not trying to operate the micro:bit _only_ when there’s light, I’d hook the solar panel up to a rechargeable battery pack and (depending on the one you get) it should handle that conversion for you and store the extra energy instead of dispersing it.

Please keep in mind, I’m not a professional electrician and I don’t work for micro:bit…I’m just a maker.