user49183: I have rigged up a small DHT11+ESP8266 combo which I'm currently powering from the 3.3v from an Ardruino. I've ordered a 3.7v LiPo battery and have a Adafruit usb micro LiPo charger, however, the battery will take two weeks to come.
Can I plug the usb charger directly into the DH11 while my battery arrives?

user4143: No, you can't.
The charger circuit will only operate properly with a battery attached.
It is not designed to provide power to a system. It is designed for charging the battery and nothing else.  You are supposed to remove the battery from the charger and then attach it to your circuit.  Even with a battery attached you can't use it to power your circuit - the voltage will be too high, and your target circuit will confuse the charger and it will fail to charge the battery properly (or it may end up over-charging the battery).
To do what it sounds like you want to do you need:

A LiPo charge circuit
A 3.3V regulator (ideally a Buck/Boost combined regulator)
Bypass circuitry to power the 3.3V regulator directly from the incoming power when present or from the battery when no external power is present.


49183: <p>I have rigged up a small DHT11+ESP8266 combo which I'm currently powering from the 3.3v from an Ardruino. I've ordered a 3.7v LiPo battery and have a Adafruit usb micro LiPo charger, however, the battery will take two weeks to come.</p>

<p>Can I plug the usb charger directly into the DH11 while my battery arrives?</p>
 4143: <p>No, you can't.</p>

<p>The charger circuit will only operate properly with a battery attached.</p>

<p>It is not designed to provide power to a system. It is designed for charging the battery and nothing else.  You are supposed to remove the battery from the charger and then attach it to your circuit.  Even with a battery attached you can't use it to power your circuit - the voltage will be too high, and your target circuit will confuse the charger and it will fail to charge the battery properly (or it may end up over-charging the battery).</p>

<p>To do what it sounds like you want to do you need:</p>

<ol>
<li>A LiPo charge circuit</li>
<li>A 3.3V regulator (ideally a Buck/Boost combined regulator)</li>
<li>Bypass circuitry to power the 3.3V regulator directly from the incoming power when present or from the battery when no external power is present.</li>
</ol>
