I am trying to use a Duracell rechargeable battery pack (outputs 5V via USB) to power a Duemilanove clone. The battery pack is designed to recharge small devices (MP3 players, phones, etc). The entire system will run fine for 4-5 minutes, but then it will lock up. If I cycle the power, it will again operate for 4-5 minutes and lock up. I don't think it's a code problem, as it will run forever if I power it using USB off of my laptop. Does anyone have any idea what the cause might be? If you need additional info about the project, please let me know.
qantravon:
I am trying to use a Duracell rechargeable battery pack (outputs 5V via USB) to power a Duemilanove clone. The battery pack is designed to recharge small devices (MP3 players, phones, etc). The entire system will run fine for 4-5 minutes, but then it will lock up. If I cycle the power, it will again operate for 4-5 minutes and lock up. I don't think it's a code problem, as it will run forever if I power it using USB off of my laptop. Does anyone have any idea what the cause might be? If you need additional info about the project, please let me know.
How are you wiring your 'battery pack USB' to the arduino?
Have you measured the arduino's 5V pin while it's in 'freeze' condition, and if so what did it measure?
How do you cycle the power, specifically, that makes it run again?
Does just pressing reset cause it to start running again?
Lefty
I have a USB A to mini-B cable that only runs power and ground (none of the data lines). I wired this to a switch (cut one of the wires and ran that through the switch) and plugged the mini-B end into the USB mini-B port on the Arduino. I've been cycling the power by just turning it off and on, forgot about the reset button. I'll try that later.
I also haven't tried measuring the voltage, but I'll give that a shot, as well.
I'll let you know what results I get.
OK. One last question for now. What things do you have wired up to your arduino board? Could it be that the direction connection to a PC USB port allows full 500ma of current capacity, where your battery power cannot supply the same? If it 'freezes' with nothing else connected to your arduino board then disregard this question.
Lefty
My board is driving a WaveShield from Adafruit, plus about 27 LEDs, run through some shift registers (15 connected to a chained pair of registers, and the other 12 on a separate register wired to light in sets of 3 simultaneously). The board is also monitoring a toggle switch.
I have also recently added another toggle and a small microphone/amp from Adafruit, but this had no noticeable effect on the operation of the system.
Also, specs on the battery pack: Duracell 1800mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack – 2 Pack