bestanamnetnogonsin:
I prefer Lithium AA batteries (which are in most respects identical to alkaline batteries) to LiPo as they have a lower temperature limit.
So why are you asking about the best way to use Alkalines ???????????
Simply because lithium and alkaline are virtually the same, but a lot of people might not know much about lithium batteries (for example what voltage lithium batteries have). And lets face it - does it really matter?
Anyway: back to the topic. After having read on a bit i think I've got a bit of a general Idea. I think I'll just hook up the battery pack to a 3.3 regulator connected to the 5V Pin. Would that work? Or have I gone completely wrong? I like it as It wouldn't involve a lot of complex circuitry and soldering.
Use 6x AA batteries and the standard Arduino power input. Weight does not seem to be a problem.
Do a test on ground level to check for the runtime of the batteries. Then use a thick layer of polystyrene to keep the temperature of the batteries as high as possible. When insulated very well the batteries will not cool of that easily. While consuming power they will also produce some internal heat. Not a lot. Insulation of the battery is extremely important.
bestanamnetnogonsin:
Simply because lithium and alkaline are virtually the same, but a lot of people might not know much about lithium batteries (for example what voltage lithium batteries have). And lets face it - does it really matter?Anyway: back to the topic. After having read on a bit i think I've got a bit of a general Idea. I think I'll just hook up the battery pack to a 3.3 regulator connected to the 5V Pin. Would that work? Or have I gone completely wrong? I like it as It wouldn't involve a lot of complex circuitry and soldering.
3.3V is lower than the required rating for 16 MHz operation according to the datasheet. You're effectively overclocking it like that, so it might or might not work.
If you want to run 3.3V reliably, use an 8MHz Pro Mini or download something like MiniCore so you can burn the fuses and bootloader to use a different clock speed on an Uno.
bestanamnetnogonsin:
Simply because lithium and alkaline are virtually the same, but a lot of people might not know much about lithium batteries (for example what voltage lithium batteries have). And lets face it - does it really matter?
The question was;
"What is the best way to power an arduino with AA batteries?"
Now, in my opinion the 'best' way to power an Arduino (remember you did not specify which one !) for a tracker of this type is to use a Pro Mini and power it direct from 2 x Lithium AAs or AAAs, or three of them if there is a regulator in the mix. All very easy to connect up with a Pro Mini.
However this 'best' way should not be used with Alkalines, so it should be obvious that the type of batteries used does matter.
Remember that when posting, do not redact information, there is almost always someone reading your post who knows a fair bit more than you do about the project you are planning.
I just thought of another option to consider. Maybe I could buy something like this. I guess I could power the arduino directly via USB... What do you think? Its a lot cheaper than Lithium batteries...
Most power banks require a minimum amount of load or they will shut themselves off. There are ways around it, like periodically pulsing on a high power LED.
bestanamnetnogonsin:
I just thought of another option to consider. Maybe I could buy something like this. I guess I could power the arduino directly via USB... What do you think? Its a lot cheaper than Lithium batteries...
Do you think that the USB connection into the tracker transmitter would be robust enough for a balloon payload that is spinning at high speed ?
(I would say not)
And whilst OK in principle those power banks create so much EMI that you will loose around 20dB in signal with a LoRa receiver, that would cut range to about 1/10th of what it should be.
I think it would be robust enough, if you fix both the arduino and the power bank and tape (?) the usb cable.
Anyway, talking about interference: I would never have thought about that. What other things could create EMI that interferes with LoRa? I know the GPS works, what about GSM? Or from a SPOT Satellite tracker? (I was thinking I might send a GSM or SPOT tracker up as a backup to LoRa)