esp32 WiFi does not work with battery power

[jax200]

Hello

I am developing a project that employs either a DOIT DEVKIT or ePulse Feather esp32 board. The project relies on using WiFi to communicate to a Raspberry Pi. I would like to power the board entirely by battery, preferably rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. Currently I am using 4 in-series AAs via an LDO that feeds the 3.3v pin.

However, when powered by these batteries I am not getting a reliable WiFi connection, but if I power the board from my PC via the USB it connects immediately. I have tried also feeding 5v to the VIN or USB pins but no luck.

So there is something going with the WiFi chip that I don't understand. I would appreciate any suggestions how to get it to consistently work.

- Jack

[liaifat85]

Please check the battery voltage with a multimeter. Maybe it's not sufficient.

[JoeSensoric]

And the LDO should provide at least 500 mA of maximum current.