What do folk recommend as a portable power supply for a project like this?

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm building a project to detect rain and send me a notification.
It will use an arduino uno, a wifi ESP8266 module, and a cheap rain sensor.
Since I'll be using it to detect rain as I use my telescope, I'll need a power solution that is able to run for at least 10 hours without intervention.

I've seen people use a power bank but the low power draw becomes an issue.

I'd prefer to use batteries, but concerned about how long I could power the arduino for with this solution? Space isn't really a concern.

I'm also fairly inexperienced so would prefer to buy something from Amazon or off the shelf.

Thanks

2

What do you think a power bank is and why is low power draw an issue. If something is an issue for you, you need to explain that issue!

3

As in power bank you’d typically charge your phone with.
I’ve seen lots of posts that say the power draw from an arduino is low enough that the power bank auto turns off, a common feature of power banks apparently

4

I suspect your Arduino and wifi and sensor will consume enough current the power bank will NOT turn off.

5

And you can get power banks that dont do that.

6

If anyone has a link or model for a power bank that doesn't have a low current auto-turnoff feature, that they've found success with and are using, that would be really helpful.

7

Why would you do that? It sounds like the Uno is a redundant power waster.

2 Likes
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9

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=always+on+power+bank&crid=1FYVCCF9T65FS&sprefix=Always+On+power%2Caps%2C165&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15

10

A WeMos D1 mini draws enough current (~100mA) to keep my powerbank alive.
It's only a small 5A PB, but enough to power the WeMos for 2.5 days.
Leo..

11

These work great (doubles as a flashlight).

14

Thanks everyone for your comments so far. I'm going to add some more details in case it helps, especially with the question surrounding the suitability of an Arduino itself, for this project.

For the raindrop sensor, I intend to use this, its a AZDelivery product and I'm afraid it doesn't give more detail that I can see, ie part numbers. I'm also happy to use a different rain sensor, but under 15 pounds, since this is supposed to a cheap build.

The setup needs wifi because I'd like to receive a notification to my phone and an ethernet cable will not be possible at the location its going to be used. Bluetooth will probably be out of range. But there will be good wifi signal.

Power-wise, just looking for enough portable power to get through a whole evening.

Size-wise it can be flexible, it doesn't have to be especially small if thats a trade-off that needs to be made.

15

There's a lot of stuff around that could meet that requirement - any LiPo/18650 (et al., etc.)

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