Hei guys,
I'm relatively new to arduino, and I salute all the arduino geeks (like me) reading this.
I bought a a GSM module so that I can send/receive messages using a SIM card.
I got the SIM800L module, which looks like this:
Problem: I can't get the right voltage and current (amps) value.
The module needs 3.6-4.2V and 2A in order to work right.
I have an AC adapter which has an output of 12V and 2A.
I'm using a regulator, to match the right voltage value for the module, which is ~3.7V. If I do this though, the current will decrease as well, to 1.2-1.3A, which will make the module not work properly, because the current is not 2A anymore, even though I got to the right voltage.
I'm using this test code:
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
//SIM800 TX is connected to Arduino D8
#define SIM800_TX_PIN 11
//SIM800 RX is connected to Arduino D7
#define SIM800_RX_PIN 10
//Create software serial object to communicate with SIM800
SoftwareSerial serialSIM800(SIM800_TX_PIN,SIM800_RX_PIN);
void setup() {
//Begin serial comunication with Arduino and Arduino IDE (Serial Monitor)
Serial.begin(9600);
while(!Serial);
//Being serial communication witj Arduino and SIM800
serialSIM800.begin(9600);
delay(1000);
Serial.println("Setup Complete!");
}
void loop() {
//Read SIM800 output (if available) and print it in Arduino IDE Serial Monitor
if(serialSIM800.available()){
Serial.write(serialSIM800.read());
}
//Read Arduino IDE Serial Monitor inputs (if available) and send them to SIM800
if(Serial.available()){
serialSIM800.write(Serial.read());
}
}
This is what I'm getting back (from typing AT in the Serial console):
Setup Complete!
ÿ ÿATATAT
Call Ready
SMS Ready
ATAT
Setup Complete!
ÿCall Ready
SMS Ready
ATATAT
Sometimes I get a reply, saying that it's SMS and Call ready, but usually I get nothing back. Sometimes I get ÿ.
I got a warning as well, from the library, warning about the power, being too low. I got this just once.
Now, I know for sure that the problem is with the power supply.
From some searching I got around this: c - Arduino + GSM SIM900 returns ÿ char - Stack Overflow
Guy had same problem, getting ÿ back, and problem was current, 2A was needed.
Here is my setup:
What can I do ?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
haha