Hi! I've been researching a bit about how could I use one single port for my project that works with an ESP32 C3 Super Mini.
I would like to know is there is any way to redirect the power received from the C3's USB port to transfer it to the TP4056 so I can power up the project's battery.
This question comes from the problem that may cause a project that has 2 different ports where people can easily confuse when trying to power on the device.
I would also like to know if, in case there's a workaround, if the solution could cause any problem when trying to upload code.
(I guess that this may be possible using some pins and resistors but I'd love if anyone has a straightforward solution/tutorial/video/demonstration).
I don't have an schematic of the final project, but the concept is just using a OLED display, a button, a piezo speaker and a battery to make it portable, but I want to avoid the problem of giving the users 2 similar ports that can be confused.
What kinds of boards/modules are you using? You don't have loose USB-C connectors floating in space; they're part of some kind of assembly. How these are designed/engineered is essentially in figuring this out.
There's always the option to make one. Might be a good idea, especially since it'll help you communicate more effectively about your questions.
I have checked physically using a DVM and Schematic (presented below) that the 5V of USB-pin has gone through a diode (PD1) and then arrived at 5V-pin of ESP32C3 Super Mini Board. Assuming 0.3V cutt-off value for PD1, 4.7V is availale to the input of TP4056 Battery Charger.
I did that too, and my ESP32-C3 SuperMini is directly connected. The diagram confirms that. Look closely at the schematic. USB supply is called VBUS (anode of the diode), and so is the 5V castellation of the board.
I suspect OP wants to charge a battery from that point, which is ok.
Powering the ESP with that battery at the same time seems impossible.
I would just use a cellphone powerbank.
Leo..
Based on the direct connection of USB input power to the "5V" pin of the module, it looks like this would work to power the module and charge the battery at the same time.
Since VSYS isn't brought out, he would have to solder a wire to the cathode side of the diode, or to the input of the regulator, or its capacitor - some unofficial VSYS connection point.
However if the schematic is wrong, and VBUS goes through the diode to get to the "5V" pin, then something different would be needed. Are there possibly two different versions of this module?
Well, I might as well post the other version. If the "5V" pin of the module is really VSYS, at least on some modules, then he would need to solder a wire to the anode of the diode.
No I don't. I've never laid eyes on that module. Usually diodes in that position are pretty chunky shottkeys. But I guess you're telling me it's not in this case.
What I'm really looking for is using the USB C from the ESP32 C3 SuperMini to charge the battery (both when the board is on or off).
I thought that maybe there was a solution "redirecting" the power supply from the SuperMini to the TP4056 since the TP4046 already handles all the charging matters.
From what I've been seen, it seems that the ESP32 C3 SuperMini cannot perform this task. I'd love to see if there's any solution or workaround to charge batteries from its USB port but I have found nearly nothing related to the matter on the Internet.
You simply connect the 5V-pin/GND-pin of ESP32C3 Super Miii Board at the input of your charger. Ypur Charger will continue to work with USB 5V whether the ESP32C3 is On/Off.
How much current are you expecting to draw from your charger? The PD1's rating might be a matter of concern. If PD1 gets killed due to overcurrent/overheating, then ESP32 will not work as its 3.3V supply is derived from 5V-point which is after PD1.
It is not wise/practical to solder a wire (post #10) at the anode terminal of PD1 (to pick up USB's 5V) as this adventure might destroy ESP32C3 Board.
Not a problem. You can power the charger from the 5volt pin of the ESP. Charge current of the USB-C connector is set to 500mA, so that's the limit you can draw of that pin.
Check your TP4046 board. I think most are (stupidly) set to 1Amp.
Not sure what you mean with that. The ESP is 'on' the moment you plug in the USB connector. If you mean power states, the 5volt pin is not affected by that.
Not sure what you're doing with that battery.
Leo..
Good find.
I suppose the board has a charger powered from the 5V pin,
And a 3.3volt regulator that connects the battery to the 3.3volt pin of the ESP.
Leo..
From what I've looked, it seems that when the expansion board is connected to the ESP32 C3 SuperMini it should give energy to the ESP32 itself. I'm not sure if when the USB C is plugged it if the battery gets charged.
