I want to build the mobile LORA receiver to be able to test the range of the lora module.
I am considering following options:
having 4 AA 1,5V batteries and connecting it to VIN of Arduino and through the step down converter to 3,3V of lora
Powering Arduino and Lora thrugh the step down converter from the powerbank (I know that most powerbans disconnect the power after few sends, I will try to find the one that does not)
Which option is better. The devices on the PCB would be
Arduino Nano
Lora module from Rezax
I2C 64-128 Oled display
Nay feedback would be greatly appreciated
One more question. How long do you think the 4 AA batteries would last in this setup. I was approaching this topic once before , and then suggesing using 9V batter and then all the wiz people on the forum critisized this idea stating that 9V battery would not last long
I have a 'portable' LoRa handheld reciever that I built with OLED. I use it a lot. Has a Hope RFM95 LoRa module and home brew Pro Mini that works well from a box of 3 x AA batteries stuck on the back.
Power consumption with the LoRa device in listen mode is around 20mA, so maybe a hundread hours of battery life.
The Lilygo T-Beam is a ready built LoRa receiver that runs from an 18650 battery on the back. You can get cases for it too.
Far better to use 3.3V Arduinos with LoRa devices.
So now the question to how many AA bateries to use.
3x1,5V is 4,5V. Will it power the Arduino when I connect it to 5V pin.
If I go for 4xAA that is 6V so I cannot connect it to %V pin but rather to VIN pin. But will Arduino power up. I thought on VIN pin I have to have min 9v
4 x AA might initially work for the Nano, but do appreciate the around half way through their life a 1.5V Alkaline will be down to 1.2V and 4.8V is not really enough for the 5V regulator on an Nano. So maybe us 5 x AA ?
If you really insist of 5V Arduinos, perhaps use one of those small up\down converters that will provide a 5V output for a range of battery voltages, above and below 5V.