Hi guys I made an led sword and it works great plugged into usb.
The controller is a RP2040 Zero Raspberry Pi. Running off usb the effects are bright and functional but when I run off 18650 battery it is dim and looks like it's barely able to run.
My 5v and GND and Data are running to the led strip and the positive of my battery is going to the 3v3.pin on the Pi.
This might not be enough to answer but I'm new enough that I don't know what else to say. Does this sound like a voltage issue. battery being 3.7v and the pin being 3.3?
Any help or direction would be appreciated.
It sounds like a low voltage problem. Post an annotated schematic showing exactly how you wired it. Frizzes normally do not have the needed information. Post links to technical information on each device.
If you power your board from 3v3 pin you don't have 5V on any pin. If your led needs 5V you're out of luck. Also you risk your board if you connect (max 4.2V ) battery to 3v3 pin
OK I'm really stupid I just realizeed I do have a 5v pin....It works.....IS it okay that I have two wires running to it lik ein my diagram? positive from battery and positive to led strip?
Due to the limited space, the power management part is omitted, resulting in zero can only be powered by 5V/3.3V. But zero itself has no battery protection function, you need to ensure that your battery will not be overcharged or over-discharged, which will cause safety accidents.
You don't need to power leds through your board, just make sure they have common ground.
Anyway to power your whole setup with one li-ion cell, boost converter or 5V power bank module is easiest way to go.
