RP2040 Thing Plus Hookup Guide

Contributors: Nick Poole, santaimpersonator

Hardware Assembly

USB Programming

The USB connection is utilized for programming and serial communication. Users only need to plug their RP2040 Thing Plus into a computer using a USB-C cable.

BOOTSEL Mode

Users can enter BOOTSEL mode by holding down the BOOT button, when the USB connection is made to a computer. The board will remain in this mode until it power cycles (happens automatically after uploading a .uf2 firmware file) or the RESET button is pressed. The board will appear as a USB mass storage device under the name RPI-RP2.

Battery

For remote applications, the RP2040 Thing Plus can be powered through its 2-pin JST battery connector. Additionally, users may be interested in utilizing a solar panel and USB-C cable to recharge their battery.

The SparkFun Thing Plus - RP2040 with a battery attached. (Click to enlarge)

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Solar Panel Charger - 10W

In stock PRT-16835

This is a portable, slim, lightweight solar panel charger with 10 watts of power and a standard USB connection port.

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USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

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USB C is fantastic. But until we have converted all our hubs, chargers, and ports over to USB C this is the cable you're goin…

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Note: DO NOT remove batteries by pulling on their wires. Instead, it is recommended that pair of dikes (i.e. diagonal wire cutters), pliers, or tweezers be used to pull on the JST connector housing, to avoid damaging the battery wiring.

Using a pair of dikes to disconnect a battery. (Click to enlarge)

Headers

The pins for the RP2040 Thing Plus are broken out to 0.1"-spaced pins on the outer edges of the board. When selecting headers, be sure you are aware of the functionality you need. If you have never soldered before or need a quick refresher, check out our How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering guide.

The Feather Stackable Header Kit is a great option as it allows users to stack shields (w/ Feather footprint) or it can be placed on the a breadboard; while, the pins are still accessible from the female/male headers.

Qwiic Devices

The Qwiic system allows users to effortlessly prototype with a Qwiic compatible I²C device without soldering. Users can attach any Qwiic compatible sensor or board, with just a Qwiic cable. (*The example below, is for demonstration purposes and is not pertinent to the board functionality or this tutorial.)