Hey guys, I'm currently making a simple arduino robot, and decided to use one lithium-ion battery and a module that steps-up the voltage to 5V.
However, this module can handle a maximum of only 600mA. Now does the Arduino ever use more than 600mA? Or will 600mA be enough for the Arduino?
Heres the link to the module:
An Arduino UNO running the Blink sketch needs about 50-60mA.
As you add external components, this will increase accordingly.
I would take the 600mA spec with a grain of salt. Manufacturers may specify their devices under ideal conditions that may not exist in the real world.
Be very cautious of anything that lists volt and amp specifications, but does not have a data sheet with graphs showing those values. Most devices will give the voltage specified and will give the current specified, but NOT both at the same time.
Paul
Paul_KD7HB:
Be very cautious of anything that lists volt and amp specifications, but does not have a data sheet with graphs showing those values. Most devices will give the voltage specified and will give the current specified, but NOT both at the same time.Paul
Be cautious whenever ordering and looking at Chinese stuff. Do You recall the news that former Mao Tse Tung had been swimming a distance in the Yellow river using time that makes it a speed of some 5, 10 ,20 knots...
Thanks for the replies! Yes, I am pretty worried that these Chinese products may not be as good as they claim...
I'm making a robot with the L298 motor driver, along with two infrared sensors(for line following)...how much do you think the current requirement would be for that?
If You read the specifications and use the adder You will know.
What are the stall (starting) currents for the motors? The power supply needs to be able to supply that current plus some for the processor (50-60mA?) and IR LEDs for the opto sensors (20-40mA?). Plan on that current as a bare minimum. More is better.
If that 5V 600mA module is intended to power the L298 and motors as well as the Arduino then forget it. Not a chance.
Steve
Oh no, I have a separate 9V source to power the motors through the L298. The L298 driver only takes in 5V for its logic.
Now I should probably find out the stall current of the motors as groundFungus said...
9 volt supply. Is it posibly a 9 volt rectangular cell?
I have ‘never’ had problems with power converters from China, however, I never run them more than 75% of the stated current ratings.
Ash_vin:
Oh no, I have a separate 9V source to power the motors through the L298. The L298 driver only takes in 5V for its logic.
Now I should probably find out the stall current of the motors as groundFungus said...
Just to be clear the motor stall current only affect the power source that's supplying the motor driver. NOT the supply for the Arduino.
Steve
Ohh, okay. But I think I've decided that I'd rather use 2 li-ion cells, step it up to 9V and power it through the barrel jack itself. My only concern is the weight of all the batteries, as I would be using two MORE cells for the 9V source for the motors. I hope 4 li-ion batteries don't become too heavy
Ash_vin:
Ohh, okay. But I think I've decided that I'd rather use 2 li-ion cells, step it up to 9V and power it through the barrel jack itself.
Well, you could just connect the 9 V that you already have to "Vin" (same as the barrel jack, avoids loss in the polarity protection diode but you would not connect it the wrong way round, would you?) Li-Ion batteries will not drop that much voltage under load.
Just realise that the on-board regulator cannot handle more than 150 mA or so without overheating and (hopefully reversibly) shutting down. As long as you require the 5 V for nothing else than the obsolete L298 it will probably suffice. In all other cases you should use a switchmode "buck" regulator to provide 5 V from your 9 V and connect it to the "5V" pin.