Trying to Battery Power my Nano 33 BLE Sense Rev2 with TP4056 and MT3608, but doesn't work

Official Hardware Nano Family Nano 33 BLE Sense
1

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to power my Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense Rev2 using a 3.7V LiPo battery (with protection circuit), but I keep running into problems. Here’s what I’m doing:

My setup:
I connect the 3.7V LiPo battery (protected) to the TP4056 charging module via the JST connector and the TP4056's OUT+ and OUT- to the MT3608 boost converter's VIN+ and VIN-, respectively. THE MT3608's VOUT+ and VOUT- go into the Nano's VIN and GND. MT3608 boost converter is set to 5V.

What happens:
When I connect the battery to the TP4056, and TP4056 to MT3608, the charger gets very hot. If I instead connect MT3608 output to the 3.3V pin, it doesn't get hot—but the Nano doesn't turn on either. When I connect only USB to the TP4056 (no battery), the charging LED behaves normally.

I’ve checked:

  • Battery is charged and fine.
  • I2C sensors work when I power Nano via USB.
  • The MT3608 module output has a trimmer pot, but I don’t have a multimeter yet to check if it’s outputting 5V correctly.

Questions:

  1. Is it safe to power the Nano 33 BLE Sense Rev2 via VIN using a boosted 5V from the MT3608?
  2. Could the MT3608 or TP4056 be faulty, or is this likely a wiring/power draw issue?
  3. Is there a simpler or more reliable battery setup for this board that still allows USB charging?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion!

2

What is the purpose of the TP4056?

1 Like
3

Hi! I use the TP4056 to safely charge the 3.7V LiPo and protect from overcharging etc. not to directly power the Nano 33 BLE. For that, the battery output goes via a boost converter to the Nano's VIN.

I know I could power the Nano directly from the LiPo through the VIN, but I thought it would be better to use the TP4056 for extra safety.

4

You may want to search the forum for more up to date info about that power circuit. Start here https://forum.arduino.cc/t/at-last-18650-charge-boost-module-with-load-sharing/1164462/5?u=sonofcy
You need to get a multi-meter so you can adjust the boost module.

1 Like
5

Thank you!

6

Well that could be a problem don't you think?

I instead connect MT3608 output to the 3.3V pin

Good way to destroy your nano ESP.

First thing you need to do is buy a DMM.

2 Likes
7

Hi Jim, thanks a lot, will do!

8

I'm not a big fan of the boost or buck converters with adjustable pots, to easy to make a mistake when experimenting.