kit:portable_power
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kit:portable_power [2020/12/24 20:28] – [How long will it run?] steve | kit:portable_power [2021/01/08 10:32] – [Hooking up a Power Bank] steve | ||
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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 24, 2020) | ||
- | |||
====== Overview ====== | ====== Overview ====== | ||
In this article we roll out all of the information we have about Crowbox power consumption, | In this article we roll out all of the information we have about Crowbox power consumption, | ||
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We studied this problem quite a bit during prototyping, | We studied this problem quite a bit during prototyping, | ||
- | Solar Power is a topic that's pretty popular in the Google Group. We've done some basic research on the subject but we have never actually run any Crowbox prototypes on solar power. We'll share what we know but please realize you'll be a pioneer if you decide to try running a Crowbox on Solar Power. | + | Solar Power is a topic that's pretty popular in the [[http:// |
====== Power Consumption ====== | ====== Power Consumption ====== | ||
- | During prototyping, | + | During prototyping, |
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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10,000mAh x .64 = 6,400mAh | 10,000mAh x .64 = 6,400mAh | ||
- | We' | + | We can expect to receive around 6,400 practical usable |
=== Compute Crowbox runtime === | === Compute Crowbox runtime === | ||
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Giving us an expected runtime of about 136 hours, or about five and a half days before the power bank would need to be swapped or recharged, depending the environmental conditions that usually affect battery performance (such as very hot or very cold weather). Also, the Crowbox' | Giving us an expected runtime of about 136 hours, or about five and a half days before the power bank would need to be swapped or recharged, depending the environmental conditions that usually affect battery performance (such as very hot or very cold weather). Also, the Crowbox' | ||
+ | It's generally considered a good idea to be pessimistic when making these sorts of estimates. On a personal note, I like to round up the power consumption of the device and use a conservative estimate that any given power bank will deliver 60% of its rated capacity. This is how I'd make my own, more conservative estimate: | ||
+ | |||
+ | True power bank capacity at 60%: | ||
+ | 10,000mAh * 0.6 = 6,000mAh | ||
+ | |||
+ | Crowbox power consumption at 50mA instead of 47mA | ||
+ | |||
+ | estimated runtime: 6,000mAh / 50mA = 120 hours (five days) | ||
==== 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:// | ||
===== 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 packs are more expensive | + | Our tests with 12 volt (3 cell) LiPo batteries (12 volt/3S) went very well, but high-capacity LiPo battery |
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 a video to demonstrate how to install one of these buck converters | ||
+ | and run a Crowbox from 12V power sources. Video should be ready mid-January 2021. | ||
====== Solar Power ====== | ====== Solar Power ====== | ||
+ | There' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In mid-January we'll begin testing this Voltaic solar power kit with the Crowbox: | ||
+ | |||
+ | https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 pay out of our pockets to buy the | ||
+ | Voltaic products that we are testing. | ||
+ | |||
kit/portable_power.txt · Last modified: 2022/10/19 10:25 by admin