Looking for advice on powering an Arduino Nano from a single 6V 200mA solar panel. Mainly looking for a voltage boost module to take in a range of 3 to 6V (anything over 4.2V unlikely) and either boost and regulate to 5V or boost to a chosen voltage within 7 to 12V.
I would like to use a single 3.7V 850mAh battery to keep the nano running. I am planning to use the 5V in/out pin on the nano to power one Ultrasonic Ranging Module HC-SR04 and to shortly run an "ES08MA II 12g Mini Analog Servo" whenever the sensor detects movement.
I plan to use a TP4056 Charging Module for the battery. I am unsure if I should have a voltage booster in between the solar panel and TP4056 module. So far only charge the battery if there is enough voltage. I am also unsure if the solar panel could charge the battery with the TP4056 module (would have to calculate voltage drop, current draw, and efficiencies).
After the TP4056 module, I am looking for a low power module to convert an input range of 3 to 6V to a regulated and boosted 7 to 12V as a chosen output. Low power as in less than 200mA. Any suggestions/recommendations for a switching voltage booster module? (and/or adjustable output)
The setup will mostly be inside but eventually like to work towards being placed outside. So far I have recorded about 3.5 to 4V from the solar panel depending on room placement. My main concern is deciding to either power the nano from the 5V pin (making sure to keep the voltage at 5V (within 4.5 to 5.5V) when the sensor and motor are used), or to boost the voltage within the recommended 7 to 12V for Vin to power the board.
Why not just power the Nano from 5 volts and spare it's regulator from likely over heating?
Also the servo will use way too much power for the little regulator to supply.
Finally, the HC-SR04 detects an echo from something in its coverage path, not movement.
That most likely won't work. Solar panels are current sources, not voltage sources, and do not behave well with boost converters. Adafruit has solar chargers that do work with low current solar panels.
Use a 5V boost converter to power the Nano from the battery, via the 5V pin. You will need a low voltage shutoff (battery protection PCB) to prevent the battery from being over discharged and destroyed.
Yes, the sensor and servo could be powered outside of the nano's regulator if there is another regulator used.
So far the servo does not use too much power when incrementally stepped with a delay.
Yes, the HC-SR04 does not on its own detect movement, but for how it is being used with the nano as programmed with a filter and threshold in the implied case.
I would suggest building your project work 3.3V components of you can. For example a 3.3V Pro Mini or 3.3V Pro Micro instead of the 5V Nano. These are more suitable/compatible with battery powered projects.
And a 3.3 V Pro Mini operates perfectly from a 5 V supply, so is most suitable to be powered directly from a LiPo battery. Just remove the resistor for the pilot LED and the useless regulator.
Actual 3.3 V components may or may not be so tolerant, though since that (LiPo battery) is what powers mobile phones, many or most should be designed for that voltage.