# Esp32 consuming more power on battery compare to usb power **URL:** \ **Category:** Sensors\ **Created:** [June 5, 2024, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277 "2024-06-05T12:10:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![talhasami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@talhasami](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/talhasami)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/1 "2024-06-05T12:10:16Z")
Hello! I have a project including esp32 with temperature and accelerometer sensors that record data and send it to a server. Connecting it to my laptop through USB(5V) gives 5mA of current consumption, but switching it to a 3.7V(2400mAh) battery takes 60-70mA current. Can someone guide what I am missing? ---
**Author:** ![PaulRB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paulrb/32/216330_2.png) [@PaulRB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/PaulRB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/2 "2024-06-05T12:14:19Z")
I would say that 60-70mA is normal. When you are powering with USB, how did you measure the current? 5mA is too low, unless you are using some power saving or sleep mode, in which case it should also be low on battery power. Please post a schematic showing USB and battery power and indicate how/where you measure the current. Also post your code (using code tags). ---
**Author:** ![PaulRB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paulrb/32/216330_2.png) [@PaulRB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/PaulRB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/4 "2024-06-05T12:35:42Z")
> [@talhasami](#): > > I am measuring the current using a multimeter The question was how and where, not what you are measuring the current with. We would assume it was a multimeter. ---
**Author:** ![talhasami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@talhasami](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/talhasami)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/5 "2024-06-05T13:22:00Z")
Oh ok. So I am connecting multimeter in series with 3V3 pin after which vcc of sensors are connected. The green dot is where I am connecting it. > Blockquote > > ![IMG-20240603-WA0069](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/0/2/9/0292418f33038015545948fac3e1b90a85cf96dc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/6 "2024-06-05T14:05:51Z")
You need to measure the power consumed from the USB port. I agree that 60-70 mA is normal, but since the USB port provides 5V, the power consumed will be higher than from a 3.7V source. ---
**Author:** ![PaulRB](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paulrb/32/216330_2.png) [@PaulRB](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/PaulRB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/7 "2024-06-05T14:54:06Z")
> [@talhasami](#): > > The green dot is where I am connecting it. You are only measuring the current used by the sensors. Most of the current will be used by the esp. How did you measure the current when powered by battery? ---
**Author:** ![talhasami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@talhasami](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/talhasami)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/9 "2024-06-06T01:19:15Z")
@PaulRB @anon94801460 thanks, I got it, was taking measurements of only sensors. How can I connect multimeter when it's powered through usb cable? Also, may you guys please give insights about how to reduce this current seeing into my code? That would be really helpful ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/10 "2024-06-06T01:30:20Z")
> [@talhasami](#): > > How can I connect multimeter when it's powered through usb cable? Cut the cable and insert the current meter into the V+ power lead, or use a USB power monitor. To reduce the average processor current draw, use sleep or idle modes if your application allows that (e.g. while waiting for a button press). If not, choose a lower power MCU. ---
**Author:** ![talhasami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@talhasami](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/talhasami)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 9:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/11 "2024-06-14T09:50:27Z")
Also, I'm using this battery, when it's fully charged it shows 4.2V which is a lot for esp32 and it has already damaged one when directly connect to 3.3V pin. I need suggestions, which batteries should I use for maintaining a good voltage across esp32 and also it should lasts longer. And should I connect it directly to 3.3V pin? Another confusion in my head, if the operational voltage for esp32 is 2.3-3.3v, then it means if the battery discharges to 2.3V it would be of no use which in term would reduce the battery life, what's the solution for this? ![WhatsApp Image 2024-06-03 at 4.29.59 PM](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/c/d/1/cd19eee1353f94d8f184277c9f15f6e945969aa3.jpeg) ---
**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:** [June 14, 2024, 10:10am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/12 "2024-06-14T10:10:35Z")
If you have a module with PSRAM then the recommended voltage range is 3.0V to 3.6V Without PSRAM it is 2.3V to 3.6V ---
**Author:** ![talhasami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@talhasami](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/talhasami)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 11:01am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/13 "2024-06-14T11:01:06Z")
Yes, it has PSRAM So, it means I have to carefully select battery choices, what battery options do you suggest and the necessary components with it? ---
**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:** [June 14, 2024, 11:07am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/14 "2024-06-14T11:07:15Z")
I see the topic has been solved, sorry ---
**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:** [December 11, 2024, 11:08am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-consuming-more-power-on-battery-compare-to-usb-power/1268277/15 "2024-12-11T11:08:02Z")
Closed on December 11, 2024, 11:08am UTC This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.