Power without USB

Pico LTE
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1

Has anyone powered their Pico LTE module without USB?

Integrating into a device that doesn’t have any need for USB, I assumed I’d be able to draw power from the VSYS or 3V3 line like most other devices do, since USB power isn’t always available. Any common workaround?

Hopefully the Pico LTE 2 module will have more straightforward support for alternative power.

Thanks!

2

That should be possible. Have you tried?

3

I tried using the Pimoroni LiPo SHIM for Pico but that only seems to be powering the Pico 2W (on Pico LTE 2 board) not the Pico LTE modem itself. It seems the modem gets its power from the microUSB on the Pico but I’m not sure why I can’t power it via battery

4

The behavior you are observing is expected. The Pico LTE 2 is designed to receive its main power only through the Micro USB ports, either from the Raspberry Pi Pico W USB or the LTE USB port. Supplying power via alternative methods (such as the LiPo Shim) may power parts of the board (e.g., the red power LED) but it does not fully initialize or power the LTE module.

This is why:

  • The Power LED (red) turns on → indicating partial power
  • The Status LED (blue) remains off → the LTE module is not fully powered/initialized

To clarify, the LTE module (BG95) requires:

  • Stable 5V input
  • Sufficient current (up to ~1.5A peak)

Most LiPo-based solutions (like the Pimoroni LiPo Shim) cannot provide this required voltage/current reliably, especially during modem startup.

For a reliable setup, we recommend:

  1. Powering the Pico LTE board via the Micro USB port (as designed)
  2. If battery operation is required, using a regulated 5V boost converter capable of supplying sufficient current (≥1.5A) and feeding it through the USB input

At this stage, powering the board directly via LiPo (without proper regulation and USB input path) is not supported and may result in the behavior you are experiencing.