# Esp32 Ai thinker Cam voltage drop **URL:** \ **Category:** General Guidance\ **Created:** [April 8, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585 "2025-04-08T10:49:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/1 "2025-04-08T10:49:10Z")
I am using a 3.7 5000mAh Lithium ion battery and once fully charged gives up 3.9 volts. i want to connect it to my Esp32 cam (cam model OV2640) so i bought a buck converter (LM2596) to step down the voltage to 3.3volts but the voltage drops to around 3 or 2.9 volts once my esp32 cam connects and the esp32 cam doesn't work and doesn't connect to my wifi or anything. ---
**Author:** ![kmin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kmin/32/1147370_2.png) [@kmin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kmin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 11:48am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/2 "2025-04-08T11:48:24Z")
Input voltage for that buck has to be about 1V higher than output. You need a converter that has very low dropout. If you don't need to draw high current, this could be one example: > **[LM3671 3.3V Buck Converter Breakout - 3.3V Output 600mA Max](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2745)** > > Your power supply problems just got SUPER SOLVED! This 3.3V Buck Converter Breakout board is great for supplying power to low voltage circuits from a single Li-Ion ... You could consider also LDO instead of buck converter. ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/3 "2025-04-08T12:27:34Z")
I am not able to get this board where i live but i am able to get these boards =\> # MP1584 and LM317 if these don't work could you suggest me few boards should i get a step up voltage module instead so i can turn the 3.9 volts to 5 volts?? ( here are few of the step up voltage boards i can get [XL6019, MT3608, or the image i attached] ) ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/c/2/ec280082ba492b4d72d6a216e93a0b7c4ccacd73.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![kmin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kmin/32/1147370_2.png) [@kmin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kmin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/4 "2025-04-08T12:47:35Z")
> [@kush7l](#): > > MP1584 and LM317 Neither of these are good for voltage \<4.5V. I'm not going to suggest you to boost to 5V and then drop it to 3.3V on Esp voltage regulator. That double conversion destroys your battery life. Can you get this? > **[Pololu 3.3V, 500mA Step-Down Voltage Regulator D24V5F3](https://www.pololu.com/product/2842)** > > Output voltage > Typical max output current1 > Input voltage range2 > > > 3.3 V > 500 mA > 3.4 V – 36 V > > > Note 1: Actual achievable maximum continuous output current is a function of input voltage and is limited by... ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/5 "2025-04-08T13:02:52Z")
i actually meant to step up the voltage to 5 volts so i can power the esp32 cam with 5 volts itself instead of the 3.3 volts and i am no i am not able to get this either do you think AMS1117 will work?? ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/6 "2025-04-08T13:17:19Z")
> [@kush7l](#): > > do you think AMS1117 will work?? No. If you have no choice, then boosting the 3.7V li-ion to 5V is fine. ---
**Author:** ![kmin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kmin/32/1147370_2.png) [@kmin](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kmin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/7 "2025-04-08T13:31:48Z")
> [@kush7l](#): > > i actually meant to step up the voltage to 5 volts so i can power the esp32 cam with 5 volts itself instead of the 3.3 volts Yes but Esp is 3.3V MCU and if you power it on 5V pin it down converts it to 3.3V with linear voltage regulator (like AMS1117) that it has onboard. If you want to test how AMS1117 behaves, you can just connect your battery to Esp 5V pin. Be aware that you might experience similar voltage drop you had with LM2596. Most importantly, you need some battery protection to prevent it to be discharged below 3V. In any case, independently from what voltage regulation you use. ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/8 "2025-04-08T13:55:01Z")
I have tried to find step down LDO to convert 3.9 volts to 3.3 but I am out of luck so I might as well try finding step up modules to convert 3.9 to 5 volts instead and let the esp32 cam inbuilt regulator handle the rest here are few of the step up modules i found and able to get MT3608, XL6019 ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/9 "2025-04-08T15:24:40Z")
The XL6019 will not work with input voltages less than 5V, so the **MT3608** is your only choice. ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/10 "2025-04-08T15:59:24Z")
will **MT3608** work perfectly fine? if yes then I will order it soon ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/11 "2025-04-08T16:09:22Z")
> [@kush7l](#): > > will **MT3608** work perfectly fine? As pointed out it's not the best solution but it will work OK. ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/12 "2025-04-08T16:14:14Z")
oh I see what would be the cons of using it?? or did u mean its just not practical to use it as i did ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/13 "2025-04-08T16:16:47Z")
I don't understand your question. If the MT3608 is the only boost converter you can buy, what choice do you have? ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/14 "2025-04-08T16:34:59Z")
i meant if I use the MT3608 is there a possibility to over heat or even damage my esp32cam. Yes you are right i have no choice left. Thanks for your time jim-p you really have helped me out here ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/15 "2025-04-08T16:45:08Z")
> [@kush7l](#): > > i meant if I use the MT3608 is there a possibility to over heat or even damage my esp32cam. No it is fine, Just make sure you adjust the voltage output to 5V or a little less before you connect it to the ESP cam. Actually adjusting to 4.8V would be fine for the ESP cam and would increase efficiency a little. ---
**Author:** ![kush7l](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/kush7l/32/1209978_2.png) [@kush7l](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kush7l)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/16 "2025-04-08T16:48:06Z")
Yes I will do as u suggested thanks a lot again ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/17 "2025-04-08T16:55:40Z")
Have a nice day! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-ai-thinker-cam-voltage-drop/1371585/18 "2025-10-05T16:55:53Z")
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