Standard USB-C. The same cable and charger as most phones. Any USB-C wall adapter or power bank works. There is no proprietary charger, nothing to buy, and nothing to send away for if you lose the cable.
A short USB-C cable is included with the Intro Kit and the Expansion Kit.
Two different power blocks, and they are not the same thing
This trips people up more than anything else on the store, so it is worth being clear.
The Battery Block comes in the Intro to Circuits Kit. It is rechargeable and it charges over USB-C. Once it is charged you unplug it, and it rides along inside the model. Anything that drives, crawls or gets carried around needs this one.
The USB-C Power Block comes in the Expansion Kit. It is not a battery and it does not store a charge. It draws power through the cable and runs for as long as it stays plugged in. Perfect for a build that sits on a shelf all evening. No good for anything that moves, because the cable stays behind.
| Product | What it ships with |
|---|---|
| Intro to Circuits Kit | 1 rechargeable Battery Block |
| Expansion Kit | 1 USB-C Power Block, always-on, no battery |
| Advanced Bundle | 1 Battery Block and 1 USB-C Power Block |
| Family Bundle | 2 Battery Blocks and 1 USB-C Power Block |
| Mega Builder Bundle | 2 Battery Blocks, 1 USB-C Power Block, plus 2 spare power packs |
| Any Theme Build | Nothing. It uses power from your Circuits Kit |
Charging it the first time
The charge light coming on quickly does not mean the block is full. More than one family has plugged in for a few minutes, seen the light, assumed it was ready, and then had the build die shortly after. Give it a proper charge before the first session rather than starting a build the moment the light appears.
Can I use my own charger?
Yes. Any USB-C phone charger, laptop charger or power bank is fine. This is deliberately ordinary hardware.
Can I get a second battery block?
One Battery Block powers one build at a time, which is the limit families run into fastest. Two builders, or one builder who wants to keep a finished model together while starting the next one, will want a second.
Email info@sparkblocks.ca and we will do our best to supply one at a charge. Spares ship within North America only at the moment, so tell us where you are.
A second Intro to Circuits Kit is the other route, and it brings a full second set of wires, switches and lights with it. The Family Bundle is that same idea sold as one purchase.
Flying with a kit
The Battery Block is a rechargeable battery, and airlines have rules about those. Rules differ by airline and by country, and they turn on the exact cell rating, so ask your airline before you fly rather than taking our word for it. We would rather you check than have a kit taken off you at security.
If your airline asks for the exact cell rating, email us before you travel and we will get you the figure in writing.
My battery is not charging, or the block feels swollen
A battery block that is swollen, puffed up or split at the seam is not safe to keep charging. Take it out of the build, leave it away from anything that burns easily, and write to us. We replace it free and you do not send the old one back.
A swollen cell is a defect, not something to squeeze back together, and the fact that it still powers a build does not make it safe to keep charging. Include your order number when you write in.
If it simply will not charge and looks normal, try a different USB-C cable and a different power source first. The short cable in the kit is the most common culprit. If it does nothing on two cables and two power sources, email us and we will replace it.
