Reducing power consumption on a Pro-Mini 5V

Projects Programming
1

I decided to use an external clock (RTC) in order to wake up my Pro-Mini every minute or hour depending on the application.
I am a bit disappointed to still need ~7mA when in sleep mode. Added to that are the 3mA of the RTC, but that's another problem.
7mA includes the power LED on the Mini, which I have not yet removed (I wish I did not have to, not sure how much i'd save...)
Power supply is 4 x AA batteries ~(~6V) directly to any of the Mini's VCC.

My question is:
Is there a 'deeper' sleep mode than the one I am using below?

I am using:
#include <DS3232RTC.h>
#include <TimeLib.h>
#include <avr/sleep.h>

and:

attach_RTC_interupt(); delay(100);
set_sleep_mode(SLEEP_MODE_PWR_DOWN);
sleep_enable();
sleep_mode(); // here the CPu is actually put to sleep. The program continues from here after waking up
sleep_disable(); // first thing after waking from sleep: disable sleep.
detach_RTC_interupt();

Regards,
Pascal.

2

Remove LEDs on mini and RTC.

See:

3

Pascal1966:
7mA includes the power LED on the Mini, which I have not yet removed (I wish I did not have to, not sure how much i'd save...)

A lot :wink: The leds will probably eat 99,9% of it.

And not have to as in, wish it wasn't there? That's what you get when you buy a module.

Quick to remove with the flick of an iron. Do the same to the regulator to save a bit more.

Pascal1966:
Power supply is 4 x AA batteries ~(~6V) directly to any of the Mini's VCC.

You do know that's well over the max rating for the ATmega? Switch to 3 batteries and your fine :slight_smile:

And for more info onto sleep: Gammon Forum : Electronics : Microprocessors : Power saving techniques for microprocessors