Unknown powering problem...

[j13c]

Hey everyone,
not an expert here, just a little knowledge about electronics. I recently finished a project of mine using an ATtiny85 chip. It's basically a wireless (chargeable) nightlamp. Everything was working just fine yesterday when I was reprogramming it and testing unplugged. But today, the LEDs did not turn on, when powering from my battery. The indicator LED lights up on the ATtiny85, but it does not load the code. Now if I plug it in for charging via the TP4056 charge module (I attached a little scheme) the LEDs light up, and the code starts working. Same goes if I plug it in via the ATTiny's port. The interesting thing is, if I unplug it, the LEDs continue shining, just dimmer. Also, if I try to charge the battery, indicator LEDs on the charge module show it as fully charged, even though it certainly is not. I'm guessing that the battery is bad and does not provide sufficient power for the ATtiny to start? The problem is that everything is already encased in the project and I cannot, for example, measure the voltage of the battery. Any suggestions? If there is no other way, I will of course disassemble it, but maybe you guys can help me rule out some problems or pinpoint the exact one... Thanks in advance!

Oh and I just forgot to connect the NeoPixels' GND to the ATtiny's in the drawing..

[JCA34F]

Could be something in your unseen code.
(Hint.)

[j13c]

JCA34F:
Could be something in your unseen code.
(Hint.)

It happens no matter what code I upload to the ATtiny85. I recently tried it with just a solid red so I can better see when the LEDs get dimmer etc. Here's the code:

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED_PIN    0
#define LED_COUNT 18
#define DELAY 0
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(LED_COUNT, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

void setup() {
  strip.begin();
  strip.show();

}

void loop() {
  for (int i=0;i<LED_COUNT;i++){
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 140, 0, 0);
    strip.show();
    delay(DELAY);
  }

}

[Paul_B]

Not sure whether NeoPixels appreciate the wrong voltage.

[TomGeorge]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Hey everyone,
not an expert here, just a little knowledge about electronics.
I recently finished a project of mine using an ATtiny85 chip. It's basically a wireless (chargeable) nightlamp.
Everything was working just fine yesterday when I was reprogramming it and testing unplugged.
But today, the LEDs did not turn on, when powering from my battery.
The indicator LED lights up on the ATtiny85, but it does not load the code.
Now if I plug it in for charging via the TP4056 charge module (I attached a little scheme) the LEDs light up, and the code starts working.
Same goes if I plug it in via the ATTiny's port.
The interesting thing is, if I unplug it, the LEDs continue shining, just dimmer.
Also, if I try to charge the battery, indicator LEDs on the charge module show it as fully charged, even though it certainly is not.
I'm guessing that the battery is bad and does not provide sufficient power for the ATtiny to start?
The problem is that everything is already encased in the project and I cannot, for example, measure the voltage of the battery.
Any suggestions? If there is no other way, I will of course disassemble it, but maybe you guys can help me rule out some problems or pinpoint the exact one...
Thanks in advance!

Oh and I just forgot to connect the NeoPixels' GND to the ATtiny's in the drawing..

Sorry had to spread it out.
Looks like you will have to remove it to trouble shoot, it seems to be a hardware problem.

It will be easier to read your circuit if you draw it and post a picture of it.
Labeling all the pinouts you use.

Tom....

[j13c]

TomGeorge:
Looks like you will have to remove it to trouble shoot, it seems to be a hardware problem.

Sigh... Well, I guess that's that.. (I've superglued everything). What should I look for when I disassemble it? Measure the voltage of my battery? Check the soldered connections?

TomGeorge:
It will be easier to read your circuit if you draw it and post a picture of it.
Labeling all the pinouts you use.

Didn't quite get what you wrote here, but I tried my best to recreate the scheme: