Hello, on March 31st, I bought an Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect from the official website in Spain, Europe. I already have an Arduino Nano 33 BLE, and both work perfectly using the same code to control an RC car with a 12V module. However, I noticed that the Arduino Nano 33 BLE remains cool during operation, while the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect heats up significantly when connected instead of the Nano 33 BLE. I haven't measured the exact temperature yet, but it's supposed to handle up to 21V and 140°C before shutting down automatically.
The Nano 33 BLE remains cool even after 10 minutes of testing the car, but the RP2040 becomes too hot to touch after just 1 minute. It's like the Nano BLE has a similar temperature to the human body, while the RP2040 is much hotter, comparable to a frying pan. I wonder if this is a normal behavior or if there might be an issue with the temperature regulator of my RP2040. Should I consider requesting a warranty? I saw in Oficial Page .CL, it seems to be a 3-month warranty, while in Europe, it might be 3 to 2 years, I can't easily find information about warranties in the European Union. The webpage isn't helpful in this point, and when I searched on Google, I saw some result for .CL (probably Chile). Instead, European Union I easly find 'contact us' message, but I can't easily find information about warranties.
Thanks
Hello, the temperature difference is quite significant between the Nano 33 BLE and the Nano RP2040 (doing the same thing using the same code) I will verify it, thank you very much probably my Nano RP2040 is fine
Probably I am wrong but, I can understand
15mA ÷ 4mA = (the difference 3,75)
Using 7 pins x 3,75 = 26,35
I could say that RP2040 is "working fine" but 26 times more hot than the Nano 33 BLE, I will try to use 7.8 volts instead of 12/13 volts to see if helps the temperature decreases.
We don't know your project.
If you're driving e.g. 7 LEDs each drawing 10 mA you do have a problem.
If you drive a LCD screen or a SD card, there is no problem for the load on the IO pins.
When shopping in the EU, Norway, or Iceland, you are always entitled to a minimum 2-year guarantee at no cost, regardless of whether you buy the goods online, in a shop, or by mail order. The 2-year guarantee is your minimum right EU-wide. This rule have been laid down in the Directive (EU) 2019/771.
The guarantee (protection against faulty goods, or goods that don't look or work as advertised) only applies if there was no customer abuse to the product though which is always possible with a tinkering kit.. (burden of proof is on the seller, not the consumer)
Hello, currently, I've created a simple prototype of an RC car controlled via a mobile app using Bluetooth and Android. I built the app with MIT App Inventor. The prototype is basic, and I haven't programmed the gyroscope yet. The basic system is controlled using analog LEDs to adjust brightness, 1 servo, an HC-06 Bluetooth module since my phone is old and not compatible with Arduino BLE Bluetooth, and an L298N motor controller module for two DC motors (the typical yellow RC motors from Aliexpress) using 12/13V.
As I plan to use 4 motors, I know I'll need to increase the voltage. The project is quite basic as I'm still learning, especially about voltage.
I'm now considering using another module, probably a series of AA 1.2V batteries, to control the servo and Arduino with only 7/8V and see if it reduces the temperature. Interestingly, I noticed that the Nano 33 operates at body temperature and doesn't heat up, while the RP2040 gets significantly hotter, around 26 times more than the Nano 33. I need to review and study more as I'm still learning. Thank you!
In the European Union, most products have a 2 year warranty, but in Spain, if they are professional products, the warranty extends to 3 years. However, not buying them from a physical store makes it more challenging as I can't take them to be inspected or ask if any issues are normal. I tried to find warranty terms on the website to see if there's a place to send the Arduino for inspection.
I was alarmed to notice that when using the Nano 33, a more affordable and seemingly inferior model, it didn't heat up at all. This made me doubt if I had damaged it or if it had a factory problem, as I had assumed the RP2040 would perform better in all aspects, including cooling. However, they appear to be different, as a forum colleague pointed out that one runs on 15mA while the other on 4mA, not as similar as I had imagined.
In any case, I have purchased a new RP2040 module to see if it behaves similarly (it's still pending delivery, but I suppose it will). For now, I must say that the RP2040 works perfectly except for the vast temperature difference between the two models. I was unsure if I should claim the warranty for a factory issue, but apparently, that's not necessary. However, it would be helpful to have more transparency regarding the warranty. The website only provides contact information, but no specific guidance for situations with the X model or instructions on what to do in case of problems. It would be great if they could provide a shipping address, like Apple and other electronics manufacturers do.
I couldn't find a section for troubleshooting and inquiries, for instance, if something goes wrong or if this or that happens. Personally, I haven't found anything in Spanish for Spain. It's possible they have it, but after searching online, all I found was a note stating that Chile offers a 3-month warranty, which is somewhat disappointing, similar to the U.S., where I believe they have a 1 year warranty. Anyway each country has its own warranty laws.
Hello! Thanks a lot! At the moment, I've purchased a new one to test and analise it with more precise and accurate conclusion. It wouldn't be appropriate to compare different models; I'll compare using the same model. At first they seem identical, but as a colleague mentioned, one operates with 15mA, and the other with 4mA.
I got a bit scared because I thought the RP2040 would be superior in everything, including cooling, but it seems I was mistaken. For now, all I can say is that it works, but there's a significant temperature difference. One remains almost cool after 15 minutes of use, while the other starts to heat up within 1 to 2 minutes, almost enough to fry an egg. I can only determine if it's normal or not once I test with another unit. Thanks!
I have been testing it with a new one that I received today and it does not heat up at all, even after 15 minutes the new one is practically cold. I have contacted Arduino, thank you. you're right, it's not normal
In the end, Arduino's team sended me a replacement module. I am very surprised and appreciative by the exceptional level of customer support they provided, very nice for Arduino customers.
