The problem is that I'm having power issues with the Icomsat shield, as the USB/Serial connection Arduino-Computer is not enough to power the SIM900 module in the GSM shield decently (sometimes is disconnects after a few seconds).
After searching on a few forums, I came to the conclusion that the Icomsat shield can take up to 2A (current), which is way more than the connection can offer, so I connected an additional power souce to the arduino (Mustang Alkaline 9V battery), but I notice certain SIM900 disconnects (although more rarely), especially when I'm using the 2 shields (sensor shield + gsm shield) pilled in the arduino.
Is it possible for a shield to "steal" current from the other shield?
I notice that if I connect certain sensors (for exemple an DHT11 sensor and/or a Shinyei PPD42) the SIM900 module disconnects after a while.
I'm having some difficulties understanding how the current evolves when connecting the shields/sensors, and which is the right power source to use, since (for what I tested), powering just the arduino + GSM Shield with the 9V battery only is not enough to make it running successfully.
9V battery like the little square ones? They are only good for a few hundred mAH.
You'll have much better luck with a battery pack of 6 AAs, Cs, Ds, or even better a 7.4 LiPo cell (gets regulated down to 5V on the boards, yes?).
Can get really high capacity LiPos, like 6000mAH (6 AH).
If the 5Vs are connected in parallel, the strongest source will end up driving the connected circuits.
I'm embedding this sensor data retrieval and GSM communication module on a AR Drone 2.0 (let's see how that turns out...), and the AR Drone has a Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo) rechargeable battery with 1000 mAh and 11.1V, will it be enough to power the both the quadcopter and the arduino+shields system?
In the datasheet, it says that the gsm shield can consume up to 2A, although using an external DC power supply to measure the current supplied to the arduino system, it usually doesn't exceed 0.6A.
They can draw up to two amps in short bursts. This depends on the network you are connected to and the signal quality. Assume two amps and you won't go wrong!
I've been having the same problem... and I am already connected to a steady power source on a wall socket... I'm using the GPRS functionality and it seems that the Module stops working after 10-15 mins of continuous usage... also it seems that it sucks up all the power during HTTP connections resulting to the module getting turned off from time to time...
mightylababo:
I've been having the same problem... and I am already connected to a steady power source on a wall socket... I'm using the GPRS functionality and it seems that the Module stops working after 10-15 mins of continuous usage... also it seems that it sucks up all the power during HTTP connections resulting to the module getting turned off from time to time...
I'm using a DC power supply and I confirm that it stops working after 10-15mins of continuous usage during GPRS transmission. So, how the hell am I gonna power my whole system? =(
Is it possible to power the GSM Shield directly and independently from the Arduino/SensorBoard power source (it doesn't have a barrel jack)? I found this example with an LCD: Running an LCD keypad shield from a separate power source - Arduino Stack Exchange, is this something I can replicate in my situation? And what's the best power fource for the GSM/GPRS shield?!
EDIT: The arduino can only give 1A to the other shields, as it reduces the input voltage to 5V (according to this: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,150728.0.html)? This could explain why the board area next to the barrel jack gets so damn hot when providing 9-12V, and sometimes the arduino resets for no reason (not sure it's related to this, but there's no other explanation).
I connected a 11.1V 1Ah Li-Po battery to the arduino to the barrel jack, and the SIM900 module usually disconnects after getting network registration (about 4s after turning it on). It only powers correctly 1 in 20 times (which is pretty weird). Anyone facing problems with powering this thing?!
EDIT: Sometimes the arduino resets after getting network registration (I notice the arduino gets really hot, could that be the reason? How can I fix this?)