jvf1986:
Hi,I'd like to power an ATtiny85 with 4 AA batteries. On the ATtiny85 datasheet (http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc2586.pdf , page166) I could read that the maximum operating Voltage is 6.0V. The problem is that even though theorically 4 AA batteries should provide 6V, normally this voltage is slightly exceeded. Can this damage the ATtiny85? What are your recommendations?
Thank you in advance
Batteries don't provide 1.5V. That's a complete myth. The actual voltage varies over time like this:
For most of their life they only put out 1.1 to 1.3V (that's about 5V for four batteries, not 6V as you'd expect...)
So... four new batteries will put out about 6.5V for a short while - too much for the AVR chip.
The chip will run happily down to three volts so three batteries would be much better. What are you going to connect? Will that work with three?