I have ds3231 which i want to use to keep track of time even when the in my ase esp32 is without electricity. I however read some difference stuff regarding using the vcc and battery on he same time. Someone said it would destroy the battery. But
Using only battery will not be able to communicate with it (with i2c) since that only works with vcc
Using only vcc will not be able to keep track of time when power is cut.
Isnt the device switching between vcc when power is on and battery when it is off?
Not knowing the details of the 3231 the 3 volt onboard battery is a backup battery supplying the clock when Vcc is gone. That's the common way to make such devices maintain time during "all conditions".
Most likely You have heard "gutter talking" from ignorant people.
Most modules contain a charging circuit for the battery. If you use a non-rechargeable battery, you can blow the battery up. See ZS-042 DS3231 RTC module for an applicable modification if you use a non-chargeable battery.
DS3231 monitors VCC and autoswitches to battery power VBAT when power-fail voltage (VPF) when VCC under 2.58V is seen.
It cannot charge a battery at all and even has safety requirement UL against doing that because lithium primary batteries can pop if charged. So it won't destroy a battery.
I haven't seen RTC boards with a rechargeable battery, you don't need it I think. A coin cell is fine.
I think that point is well taken. Vcc would only get to the coin cell if the cell is below about 2.6V. But the module is often powered with 5V on Vcc, and then I think you really do have a problem. And I wonder if you wouldn't have a problem even if using an LIR2032 cell, although maybe the resistor would keep it from blowing up.
