[GUIDE] Using Arduino Nano for battery-powered projects
since arduino nano small in size , cheap, might choice battery-powered project.
clones abundant on ebay , other websites around 4usd , come ch340 series usb/ttl adapter, instead of original ft232.
to see how effective battery-powered platform, made measurements , share results.
first, save power, need boost converter (or dc-dc converter) instead of using siz aa batteries or 9v batteries on vin pin. on-board converter 1117-5.0 linear regulator not efficient. recommend this:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10968
you can find similar boost converters on ebay less.
you can use 2 aa batteries power converter , 5v output. supply 5v on nano. measured currents on battery side (@3v), not 5v side, since trying estimate battery life. measured currents on usb side in case use power bank.
when arduino sleeping power_down sleep mode, whole board consumes 15.5ma @3v battery. if using usb power (say use power bank), consumes 18.5ma. not enough batteries. gigantic 20,000mah power bank, maximal time 45 days. efficiency of boost converter , activities (other sleeping) reduce handful of days.
next, power indicator led consumes lot of current, if want use batteries, such 2 aa batteries. need remove chip resistor next it.
my clone has 1kohm resistor in series led. once removed, consumption went down 15.5ma 8.8ma (@3v). resistor removed 3rd 1 right side of white reset button:
this 50% saving, , easy do. hold iron on chip resistor until hot enough remove it. having pair of tweezers helps lot. project may last weeks on 2 aa batteries.
after this, have remove 1117-5.0 regulator more power saving. step difficult. used hot air rework station heat regulator , removed little damage on male headers' plastics. if don't plan on putting regulator back, small flush wire cutter , cut out regulator @ pins. should do:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11952
the wide tab might difficult cut once cut 3 small pins, can hold iron on wide tab , remove it.
once removed arduino put sleep, 0.74ma of current consumed @ 3v on battery. project months of operation, if logging data @ moderate rate.
so if of thinks not "pico" processor promises, sorry tell nano wasn't designed battery operation. ch340 consumes amount of power when sleeping. 0.15ma @ 5v translate 0.25ma @ 3v. pull-up , pull-down resistors cost similar amount of current draw. there no way remove ch340 chip , still use usb port. using arduino mini solve problem since has no usb chip.
on data logger designed around atmega1284p, used ft232 not receive power battery. power consumption 0.4ma when sleeping. not low can go enough 6 months.
so conclusion @ least remove led's resistor if not 1117-5.0 regulator well. if want use aa batteries etc. boost converter.
then, if have other devices, such sd card, rtc, sensors, need power them transistor can powers when arduino goes sleep.
hope helps. i'll write parasitic power , how eliminate day.
thanks.
clones abundant on ebay , other websites around 4usd , come ch340 series usb/ttl adapter, instead of original ft232.
to see how effective battery-powered platform, made measurements , share results.
first, save power, need boost converter (or dc-dc converter) instead of using siz aa batteries or 9v batteries on vin pin. on-board converter 1117-5.0 linear regulator not efficient. recommend this:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10968
you can find similar boost converters on ebay less.
you can use 2 aa batteries power converter , 5v output. supply 5v on nano. measured currents on battery side (@3v), not 5v side, since trying estimate battery life. measured currents on usb side in case use power bank.
when arduino sleeping power_down sleep mode, whole board consumes 15.5ma @3v battery. if using usb power (say use power bank), consumes 18.5ma. not enough batteries. gigantic 20,000mah power bank, maximal time 45 days. efficiency of boost converter , activities (other sleeping) reduce handful of days.
next, power indicator led consumes lot of current, if want use batteries, such 2 aa batteries. need remove chip resistor next it.
my clone has 1kohm resistor in series led. once removed, consumption went down 15.5ma 8.8ma (@3v). resistor removed 3rd 1 right side of white reset button:
this 50% saving, , easy do. hold iron on chip resistor until hot enough remove it. having pair of tweezers helps lot. project may last weeks on 2 aa batteries.
after this, have remove 1117-5.0 regulator more power saving. step difficult. used hot air rework station heat regulator , removed little damage on male headers' plastics. if don't plan on putting regulator back, small flush wire cutter , cut out regulator @ pins. should do:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11952
the wide tab might difficult cut once cut 3 small pins, can hold iron on wide tab , remove it.
once removed arduino put sleep, 0.74ma of current consumed @ 3v on battery. project months of operation, if logging data @ moderate rate.
so if of thinks not "pico" processor promises, sorry tell nano wasn't designed battery operation. ch340 consumes amount of power when sleeping. 0.15ma @ 5v translate 0.25ma @ 3v. pull-up , pull-down resistors cost similar amount of current draw. there no way remove ch340 chip , still use usb port. using arduino mini solve problem since has no usb chip.
on data logger designed around atmega1284p, used ft232 not receive power battery. power consumption 0.4ma when sleeping. not low can go enough 6 months.
so conclusion @ least remove led's resistor if not 1117-5.0 regulator well. if want use aa batteries etc. boost converter.
then, if have other devices, such sd card, rtc, sensors, need power them transistor can powers when arduino goes sleep.
hope helps. i'll write parasitic power , how eliminate day.
thanks.
noted. thanks
weedpharma
weedpharma
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