So i'm doing a project and I want to know if the Arduino Nano can be powered using a 12 volt lead acid battery for long runtime? I would assume that it will be going to the Vin pin and GND. TIA.
Not in a car because during charging the voltage exceeds 14 volt.
A fully charged 12 volt battery will show higher than 12 volt for some time.
i have solar battery and it has voltage meter on it. so as long as its 12v or less I can use it correct?
What if I use 12v voltage regulator with it?
I is not a good idea to power the Arduino through the power jack or Vin. Powering through Vin or the power jack means that the Arduino and all peripherals that are on the 5V rail are powered by the onboard 5V regulator. The on board 5V regulator is not heat sinked so will supply very limited current before it overheats and shuts down.
I would use a buck converter to drop the 12V to 5V and connect that to the 5V on the Arduino, bypassing the, weak, 5V regulator. Then the rated current of the DC DC converter is available on the 5V line.
Im not worried about burning out the 5v regulator. if thats on there i assume its meant to be used. i have replacement arduino boards if it does end up burning out though. so can anyone give me a straight answer? Either it can or cannot be done. The reason i dont want to use a converter is because its more expensive than the arduino...just saying.
The issue is not as simple as a plume of smoke telling You. Before that happens all kinds of hard to trace trouble can take place.
You can use 12v on Vin provided you are not powering anything ( or a tiny load) . It is within the spec , although clones may not meet this spec - your call.
There would no harm in putting a couple of diodes in series with Vin to give it a slightly easier time .
I’ve done this and not had any issues . If it was on a car the voltages and transients can be higher and I’d step the voltage down a bit .
grevchuck:
Im not worried about burning out the 5v regulator. if thats on there i assume its meant to be used. i have replacement arduino boards if it does end up burning out though. so can anyone give me a straight answer? Either it can or cannot be done. The reason i dont want to use a converter is because its more expensive than the arduino...just saying.
It will work. How long depends on the environment the Arduino is located.
Where are you buying your Arduinos? Here's a 5V buck regulator for less than $2 each.
If you need it in a pretty package ready to install in a vehicle, I have used these.
grevchuck:
if thats on there i assume its meant to be used.
That regulator is there for historical reasons when modern power supplies did not exist. 9 volt was a common power source at that time. However that regulator having no heat sinks has a very limited capacity.
If You want to step back to stone age and You consider the limitations...., fine.
grevchuck:
Im not worried about burning out the 5v regulator. if that's on there i assume its meant to be used.
Bad guess! 
grevchuck:
i have replacement arduino boards if it does end up burning out though. so can anyone give me a straight answer?
You have had a straight answer.
You actually do not care if your project fails every so often? To us, that is a very peculiar attitude. 
grevchuck:
Either it can or cannot be done.
It can be done. It will be unreliable.
grevchuck:
The reason i don't want to use a converter is because its more expensive than the arduino...just saying.
You want it cheap and unreliable? Most strange. 
Railroader:
That regulator is there for historical reasons when modern power supplies did not exist. 9 volt was a common power source at that time. However that regulator having no heat sinks has a very limited capacity.If You want to step back to stone age and You consider the limitations...., fine.
+1 for that. My sentiments - and part of my frequent explanations - entirely.
Paul__B:
+1 for that. My sentiments - and part of my frequent explanations - entirely.
Thanks. I've heard the history about that converter from You and other experienced helpers. Building numerous of linearly regulated 5, 12 and 24 volts supplies during more than 40 years I do have some practise....
These guy's are giving it to you straight without proper cooling the voltage regulator will not last long when connected to 12v.
In my case I glued a small heat sink to it using thermal epoxy and have a computer fan blowing across it. It has lasted 6 yrs. now in continuous use with no problems.
Or you could move to water cooling like the overclockers.
But - far easier to use a proper switchmode "buck" regulator.
It's what I had at the time. I do keep a stock pile of buck regulators on hand now.
But now that you mention it I do have a old watercooling kit not doing anything. Hmmm...naw 
And whatever you do: do not forget to install a proper fuse and/or to use short circuit proof cabling.
Lead batteries, can provide so much current that you can even weld with them (do not try this, they can also explode). If things go wrong, it is quite easy to start a fire with these things (100A is not a problem). So be aware of the risks.
Best Regards,
Johi.
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