I needed to determine the battery cutoff voltage so I could alert users when their battery was low. Before, I guessed, and that resulted in a dead battery. I changed the battery checking loop structure so it would not stop the rest of the code, and after charging, it could exit. I thought the voltage coming off the battery was too night, but I confirmed it with a multimeter.
My plan was to connect the board to a computer and let it run until the battery died. While it ran, it would send serial messages with the battery voltage level so whatever the last reading was, would be my minimum usable voltage. Unfortunately, after five hours, the battery level was the same, so my serial adapter was powering the device.
Next, I desoldered the battery and replaced it with an adjustable regulated power supply. This time, I planned to turn down the voltage until the board failed. Then, I could measure that voltage and use that as a starting point for my threshold. The power supply I had handy would only step voltage up, so I could not get below 5V, and the test was fruitless.
GitHub repo for Cardinal, aka InCompass
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2020-08-17
My plan was to connect the board to a computer and let it run until the battery died. While it ran, it would send serial messages with the battery voltage level so whatever the last reading was, would be my minimum usable voltage. Unfortunately, after five hours, the battery level was the same, so my serial adapter was powering the device.
Next, I desoldered the battery and replaced it with an adjustable regulated power supply. This time, I planned to turn down the voltage until the board failed. Then, I could measure that voltage and use that as a starting point for my threshold. The power supply I had handy would only step voltage up, so I could not get below 5V, and the test was fruitless.
5V minimum power supply
GitHub repo for Cardinal, aka InCompass
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2020-08-17
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