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Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:24 pm
by SeLoRBIS
Hi,

I search the best way to powered a ESP32 with the minimal size.
Actually I tried to powered ESP32 with a battery LiOn 18650 with two solar panels and a protection card TP4056
My ESP32 is flashing with firmware : EspEasy Mega
When I powered my ESP32 with my PC USB port it works, I've the firmware web interface.
but when I plug my TP4056 card with the battery 18650, I've nothing, (like low power.)

Any idea, for the best way to use this battery or another ?

Thanks

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:48 am
by mikemoy
but when I plug my TP4056 card
Would be more helpful if you previded a link to what "TP4056 card" your talking about, and how you have it wired to your ESP32.

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:37 am
by SeLoRBIS
I use this module :

https://www.banggood.com/fr/5Pcs-Micro- ... rehouse=CN

On the Input pin, I've the solar panels with shottky diodes, and on the Output pin I've the batterie 18650 and a micro USB wire.
This USB wire is plug to the ESP32 dev card.

Thanks.

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 12:27 pm
by mikemoy
From the link you gave there are batter +/- connections and output +/- connections. Why would you connect the battery to the 5v output?

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:15 pm
by SeLoRBIS
Actually, I plug the TP4056 to the micro USB input of the ESP32 dev card because, I've read that the output voltage of the TP4056 is 4.2v : Output Voltage 4.2+/-1%V

And it's too much for the 3.3v pin of the ESP right ?.

For me after the micro USB input the card make a regulation voltage for reduce voltage to 3.3v. ?

Thanks

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:28 pm
by mikemoy
The link provided was not in English, so I was unable to get any information on it as far as what the "out +/-" pins output for voltage.
But from the photo of the board it looks like your battery should be connected to the "battery" terminals and not the "output" terminals.
4.2v is probably to low for the 5v input on the ESP32, and for sure to high to use on the 3.3v pin.

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:08 pm
by SeLoRBIS
Yes maybe.

The description in English :

Characteristic:

On-board TP4056 lithium battery charging management chip
On-board micro USB head, can be directly connected with most of the smart phone charger as the input side to the lithium battery charging
Reserved IN+ and IN- input port, convenient user DIY
On-board charging status indicator
Support charge discharge over current protection
Chip with constant current and constant pressure, full automatic stop
Supports simultaneous charging and discharging

Parameter:

Input voltage: DC5V
Charge cutoff voltage: DC4.2V±1%
Charge maximum output current: 1.2A
Charging mode: linear charge
Working environment temperature: -20-85 degrees Celsius


I try a another solution. I use a voltage converter from 1.8 ~ 5V to 3.3v
The voltage on the output of this module is good (3,29v exactly), but when i plug this to the ESP, 3.3 pin the behavior of the ESP is strange (like a perpetual reboot) And the firmware is not accessible.
This ESP have ESP Easy firmware with web interface. And when i plug this to my USB PC port, it work's fine.

If th voltage is good, may be the intensity is not ?

3. Long time maximum output current 100mA
4. Short time maximum output current 150mA

Thanks

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:15 pm
by mikemoy
it could be that your new voltage converter, is not capable of suplying enough current. When the WI-Fi turns on it going to spike.

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:20 pm
by SeLoRBIS
Yes I understand, the output current 100 or 150mA is not enough and with the 4056, there is problably to much voltage

In your opinion, what's the best way for a portable powered solution, when we use WiFi with the ESP32 ?

Thanks.

Re: Powered ESP32 with 18650, LiPo, or button battery

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:35 pm
by mikemoy
Having no idea what your building and your power requirements is going to make it hard to just say "get this"
Try these 2 sites to see if they have something that fits your needs.

https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/28
https://www.adafruit.com/category/44