What do the lights on my Climate Action Kit Breakout Board mean?
The Breakout Board is the main hub of your Climate Action Kit. Your micro:bit slots into it, and every sensor and motor plugs into it. It also has a built-in rechargeable battery that powers your projects.
The board has two lights that tell you about the battery:
- The on/off light shows that the board is on and tells you whether the battery is fully charged.
- The low battery light warns you when the battery is running low.
The on/off light
This light comes on when the Breakout Board is switched on. Its colour tells you how much charge the battery has:
| Colour | What it means |
|---|---|
| Green | The battery is fully charged. |
| Red | The board is on and in use, but the battery is not fully charged. |
A red on/off light is normal. It does not mean something is wrong. Your students can keep working as usual.
The low battery light
The low battery light comes on when the battery is getting low and needs to be plugged in. It lights up red when the battery is at about 5 to 10% charge. The exact point depends on how much power your project is using.
When you see this light, plug the board in to charge soon. If you don't, the battery can run out partway through a lesson.
What to do when the low battery light comes on
- Find the micro USB cable that came in your Climate Action Kit box.
- Plug the cable into the charging port on the Breakout Board.
- Plug the other end into a USB power source, such as a computer or a USB wall adapter.
- Keep the board plugged in until the on/off light turns green, which means it is fully charged.
Good news for busy classrooms: you can keep using the Breakout Board while it charges. If a group's battery runs low in the middle of an activity, plug the board in and let the students carry on.
Tips for keeping boards charged
- Before a lesson, check the on/off light on each board. Green means it's ready to go.
- Charge any board showing the low battery light before class starts.
- If you have several kits, think about charging them all at the end of the day so they're ready for the next class.
Related articles
- How long does the Climate Action Kit Breakout Board battery last? covers battery life and the low voltage indicator in more detail.
- An in-depth look into the Climate Action Kit Sensors and Components explains the Breakout Board's ports and features.
- How long does it take the Charging Station to charge a set of Breakout Boards?