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kit:portable_power [2020/12/26 14:57] – [Overview] stevekit:portable_power [2022/10/19 10:25] (current) – [12V Power Sources] admin
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-  HEY! This article is being written right now. So if you're reading it, 
-  you should know it's not published yet! (December 26, 2020) 
- 
 ====== Overview ====== ====== Overview ======
 In this article we roll out all of the information we have about Crowbox power consumption, and what we know about options that would allow you to run a Crowbox from a portable power source.  In this article we roll out all of the information we have about Crowbox power consumption, and what we know about options that would allow you to run a Crowbox from a portable power source. 
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 ====== Power Consumption ====== ====== Power Consumption ======
-During prototyping, we did a pretty deep analysis of Crowbox power consumption because we knew this information would be important when designing a portable power solution for the Crowbox.+During prototyping, we did a thorough analysis of Crowbox power consumption because we knew this information would be important when designing a portable power solution for the Crowbox.
  
 Power consumption was measured using an isolated ammeter with its own power supply. Power consumption was measured using an isolated ammeter with its own power supply.
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 ====== Running on Battery Power ====== ====== Running on Battery Power ======
 ===== Overview ===== ===== Overview =====
 +The text on this page is important, so please read it before you consider this Crowbox modification. 
 +
 +In addition to the information here, you can view our instructional video on converting a Crowbox to run from a USB Power Bank [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9xL0tjDSg|here]].
 +
 ===== USB Power Banks ===== ===== USB Power Banks =====
 We had some great success running Crowbox prototypes from a USB Power Bank. **BUT BUT BUT** There are two very important features that a power bank must support in order to work properly with a Crowbox: We had some great success running Crowbox prototypes from a USB Power Bank. **BUT BUT BUT** There are two very important features that a power bank must support in order to work properly with a Crowbox:
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   10,000mAh x .64 = 6,400mAh   10,000mAh x .64 = 6,400mAh
  
-We'll can expect to receive around 6,400 practical usable milliamperes of power from a '10,000mAh' power bank.+We can expect to receive around 6,400 practical usable milliampere-hours of power on a single charge from a '10,000mAh' power bank.
  
 === Compute Crowbox runtime === === Compute Crowbox runtime ===
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 ==== Hooking up a Power Bank ==== ==== Hooking up a Power Bank ====
-To connect a USB Power Bank to a Crowbox you'll need a USB Breakout. This is a little USB jack that plugs into the power bank's USB port and has terminal blocks which allow you to 'break out' the USB power and ground wires so you can connect them to your Crowbox.+To connect a USB Power Bank to a Crowbox you'll need a USB Breakout. This is a little USB jack that plugs into the power bank's USB port and has terminal blocks which allow you to 'break out' the USB power and ground wires so you can connect them to the power terminals on your Crowbox's breadboard.
  
 There are many different styles of USB breakout. We strongly recommend you choose one of these two types: There are many different styles of USB breakout. We strongly recommend you choose one of these two types:
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 As you can see, the business end of these two breakouts is the same- a terminal block which will make it easy for us to wire up USB power to our Crowbox without soldering. Choose whichever you prefer but I'll say that we lean towards the breakout cable. As you can see, the business end of these two breakouts is the same- a terminal block which will make it easy for us to wire up USB power to our Crowbox without soldering. Choose whichever you prefer but I'll say that we lean towards the breakout cable.
 +
 +**You can view our instructional video on converting a Crowbox to run from a USB Power Bank [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9xL0tjDSg|here]].**
  
 ===== 12V Power Sources ===== ===== 12V Power Sources =====
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 One of the reasons we studied 12 volt power is because there are some extremely high-capacity 12 volt options such as automobile batteries that would run a Crowbox for a very long time before the battery would need to be swapped or recharged. One of the reasons we studied 12 volt power is because there are some extremely high-capacity 12 volt options such as automobile batteries that would run a Crowbox for a very long time before the battery would need to be swapped or recharged.
  
-Our tests with 12 volt (3 cell) LiPo batteries (12 volt/3S) went very well, but high-capacity LiPo battery packs are the most expensive battery option by far.+Our tests with 12 volt (3 cell) LiPo batteries (12 volt/3S) went very well, but high-capacity LiPo battery packs are the most expensive battery option by far, so it feels safe to assume this will not be a popular option.
  
 No matter which 12 volt source you choose, you’ll need to add a component called a ‘DC to DC Buck Converter’ to reduce the battery’s 12 volt output to the 5 volts required by the Crowbox. We have tested two different types of 12 volt to 5 volt buck converters and ended up with one favorite: No matter which 12 volt source you choose, you’ll need to add a component called a ‘DC to DC Buck Converter’ to reduce the battery’s 12 volt output to the 5 volts required by the Crowbox. We have tested two different types of 12 volt to 5 volt buck converters and ended up with one favorite:
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 FIXME Discuss installation of Buck Converter FIXME Discuss installation of Buck Converter
  
 +  We're currently preparing documentation on how to install one of these buck converters 
 +  and run a Crowbox from 12V power sources.
  
  
 ====== Solar Power ====== ====== Solar Power ======
-There's a lot of interest in the Google Group on the subject of running a Crowbox from solar power. This is not something we have tested ourselves, but there are no obvious problems with the idea. The main issue is that you want to provide steady, regulated power for the Crowbox so any solar panel setup should also include a battery or power bank.+There's a lot of interest in the [[http://groups.google.com/group/CrowBoxKit|Crowbox Google Group]] on the subject of running a Crowbox from solar power. This is not something we have tested ourselves, but there are no obvious problems with the idea. The main issue is that you want to provide steady, regulated power for the Crowbox so any solar panel setup should also include a battery or power bank.
  
-As we stated earlier, Voltaic power banks are a good, reliable source of portable power for a Crowbox. Voltaic also offers solar power kits which include a solar panel and an 'always on' power bank. This setup should be perfect for a Crowbox but, as I said, we have not yet tested these ourselves.+As we stated earlier, Voltaic brand power banks are a good, reliable source of portable power for a Crowbox. Voltaic also offers solar power kits which include a solar panel and an 'always on' power bank. This setup should be perfect for a Crowbox but, as I said, we have not yet tested these ourselves.
  
 In mid-January we'll begin testing this Voltaic solar power kit with the Crowbox: In mid-January we'll begin testing this Voltaic solar power kit with the Crowbox:
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 https://voltaicsystems.com/2-watt-kit/ https://voltaicsystems.com/2-watt-kit/
  
-Since Crowbox power consumption is under 1/2 watt most of the time, our hope is that a 2W solar panel combined with a 6,400mAh power bank will run a Crowbox indefinitely on solar power. We will publish our observations in the Crowbox Google Group.+Since Crowbox power consumption is under 1/2 watt most of the time, our hope is that a 2W solar panel combined with a 6,400mAh power bank will run a Crowbox indefinitely on solar power during spring and summer in most locations. We will publish our observations in the [[http://groups.google.com/group/CrowBoxKit|Crowbox Google Group]], including accurate measurements on the practical output of this particular solar panel. 
  
   NOTE: We have no relationship or other affiliation with Voltaic Systems. It just happens that they   NOTE: We have no relationship or other affiliation with Voltaic Systems. It just happens that they
-  make the type of power equipment that the Crowbox requires. We're paying out of pocket to buy the+  make the type of power equipment that the Crowbox requires. We pay out of our pockets to buy the
   Voltaic products that we are testing.   Voltaic products that we are testing.
  
  
kit/portable_power.1609023431.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/12/26 14:57 by steve