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💬 NModule

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  • H Haozhi Wang

    If the "power" board is used, shall I keep the voltage regulator on Arduino? Without it, i think powering the board from RAW pin will not work.

    Nca78N Offline
    Nca78N Offline
    Nca78
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #53

    @Haozhi-Wang it will depend how you connect things on the "power" board and/or what regulators you use on the NModule board.
    There are 2 reasons to remove the regulator :

    • save energy if you are running on battery, it's not a big waste so if you are using CR123 or AAA you can keep it so it's possible for you to power from RAW with a higher voltage
    • when powering from main, allow higher RAW voltage with a better voltage regulator on the NModule or the "power" board (on promini clones usually the maximum voltage is usually 9V)

    There is a connection between the RAW pin of the promini (on the long side) and the RAW on the "power board", so whether it will work if you use a regulator on the "power" board and remove regulator on the promini will depend on the promini you use, if there is a track betwenn the 2 RAW pins or if it goes through the regulator.

    I hope it answers your question, if not please describe more clearly what sensor you are building, with what power source and why you want to power it from RAW.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • T Offline
      T Offline
      Toyman
      wrote on last edited by
      #54

      Guys, pls. have in mind that Ebyte short NON pa+lna module uses pa+lna pinout.
      Took me some time to figure it out

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • sundberg84S Offline
        sundberg84S Offline
        sundberg84
        Hardware Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #55

        I love those shields... to bad they dont use MysX connector ;) Any thoughts about 2.0 rev?

        Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
        MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
        MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
        RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • sundberg84S sundberg84

          I love those shields... to bad they dont use MysX connector ;) Any thoughts about 2.0 rev?

          Nca78N Offline
          Nca78N Offline
          Nca78
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #56

          @sundberg84 I'm working on it :)

          1 Reply Last reply
          3
          • H Offline
            H Offline
            Haozhi Wang
            wrote on last edited by
            #57

            @Nca78 Thanks you for you detailed answer.
            The power source i am going to use is a CR2032. My bad, I overlooked the three RAW, VCC and GND connectors (yellow) on the power board site.
            For my case, i think shout circuit of JPOWER will be a even better solution

            Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • H Haozhi Wang

              @Nca78 Thanks you for you detailed answer.
              The power source i am going to use is a CR2032. My bad, I overlooked the three RAW, VCC and GND connectors (yellow) on the power board site.
              For my case, i think shout circuit of JPOWER will be a even better solution

              Nca78N Offline
              Nca78N Offline
              Nca78
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #58

              @Haozhi-Wang said in 💬 NModule:

              @Nca78 Thanks you for you detailed answer.
              The power source i am going to use is a CR2032.
              Yes, for that case you need to short JPOWER and JBRD.
              And don't forget to double check your USB adapter every time you connect it to your computer, to make sure you have selected 3.3V, else you will fry your radio with 5V.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • G Offline
                G Offline
                ghiglie
                wrote on last edited by
                #59

                Hi there!
                I've ordered 10 PCBs from iTEAD, so now... I'm plenty of them to do some tests.
                Can you confirm these Minis are ok?
                https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-ATMEGA328P-Pro-Mini-328-Mini-ATMEGA328-3-3V-16-MHz-for-Arduino-3-3V-16/32784455996.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.271.swhWGM

                Btw, I have some battery boosters, I have used them already with success on breadboard. Have you got any experience about it? Do you think the PCB is hackable to integrate it?

                https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Low-Quiescent-Current-1-5V-1-8V-3V-to-3-3V-Boost-DC-DC-Converter-Board/32802383877.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.HOilhS

                Thanks!

                atmega328p serial killer
                HomeAssistant / gateway: ESP8266 & NRF24L01+ gateway

                Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • G ghiglie

                  Hi there!
                  I've ordered 10 PCBs from iTEAD, so now... I'm plenty of them to do some tests.
                  Can you confirm these Minis are ok?
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-ATMEGA328P-Pro-Mini-328-Mini-ATMEGA328-3-3V-16-MHz-for-Arduino-3-3V-16/32784455996.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.271.swhWGM

                  Btw, I have some battery boosters, I have used them already with success on breadboard. Have you got any experience about it? Do you think the PCB is hackable to integrate it?

                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Low-Quiescent-Current-1-5V-1-8V-3V-to-3-3V-Boost-DC-DC-Converter-Board/32802383877.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.HOilhS

                  Thanks!

                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by Nca78
                  #60

                  @ghiglie said in 💬 NModule:

                  Can you confirm these Minis are ok?
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-ATMEGA328P-Pro-Mini-328-Mini-ATMEGA328-3-3V-16-MHz-for-Arduino-3-3V-16/32784455996.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.271.swhWGM

                  Yes they are ok, they seem to use the Sparkfun layout if I believe the reset button and the position of the A6/A7 pins. I use the boards with a smaller, rectangular reset button on my NModule PCB. The only problem I ever had with "different" ProMini board was the connection between the vcc of the programming header was cut when removing the voltage regulator so board was not powered anymore when using FTDI adapter.

                  Btw, I have some battery boosters, I have used them already with success on breadboard. Have you got any experience about it? Do you think the PCB is hackable to integrate it?

                  No, if you use a booster you need some extra caps for filtering the output, and a voltage divider to measure battery voltage, there's no space for that on NModule. I made NModule to have a compact "all included" board, so it's made to use low power sensors, that can run at low voltage so you don't need a booster.
                  If you really want to use a booster try EasyPCB.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • G Offline
                    G Offline
                    ghiglie
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #61

                    Thanks @Nca78 ! I'll order some a lot of 10. Just in case...

                    @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                    EasyPCB

                    You'r right. Thanks for this clarification - really don't need to use the boosters or have battery measurements, so I'll keep the sensors small as you designed.

                    atmega328p serial killer
                    HomeAssistant / gateway: ESP8266 & NRF24L01+ gateway

                    Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • G ghiglie

                      Thanks @Nca78 ! I'll order some a lot of 10. Just in case...

                      @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                      EasyPCB

                      You'r right. Thanks for this clarification - really don't need to use the boosters or have battery measurements, so I'll keep the sensors small as you designed.

                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #62

                      @ghiglie said in 💬 NModule:

                      or have battery measurements

                      You will have battery measurement, because you will power the atmega with the battery directly so it's possible to read Vcc.
                      When you use a booster Vcc is always the same so you need a voltage divider on the battery to know it's voltage.

                      G 1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • Nca78N Nca78

                        @ghiglie said in 💬 NModule:

                        or have battery measurements

                        You will have battery measurement, because you will power the atmega with the battery directly so it's possible to read Vcc.
                        When you use a booster Vcc is always the same so you need a voltage divider on the battery to know it's voltage.

                        G Offline
                        G Offline
                        ghiglie
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #63

                        @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                        @ghiglie said in 💬 NModule:

                        or have battery measurements

                        You will have battery measurement, because you will power the atmega with the battery directly so it's possible to read Vcc.
                        When you use a booster Vcc is always the same so you need a voltage divider on the battery to know it's voltage.

                        Sorry, n00b here! :( Thanks again, nca!

                        atmega328p serial killer
                        HomeAssistant / gateway: ESP8266 & NRF24L01+ gateway

                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • G ghiglie

                          @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                          @ghiglie said in 💬 NModule:

                          or have battery measurements

                          You will have battery measurement, because you will power the atmega with the battery directly so it's possible to read Vcc.
                          When you use a booster Vcc is always the same so you need a voltage divider on the battery to know it's voltage.

                          Sorry, n00b here! :( Thanks again, nca!

                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #64

                          @ghiglie no use to be sorry, we were all beginners at some point in time :)

                          Z 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • Nca78N Nca78

                            @ghiglie no use to be sorry, we were all beginners at some point in time :)

                            Z Offline
                            Z Offline
                            zmatokan
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #65

                            @nca78 Hi, I am trying to use nmodule without batteries and connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout. I am not sure if I should remove the voltage regulator from pro mini? Also, should I add my own regulator to the nmodule (on BRD section)? Where should I connect my + and - from usb breakout to the nmodule? Thanks alot!

                            Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Z zmatokan

                              @nca78 Hi, I am trying to use nmodule without batteries and connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout. I am not sure if I should remove the voltage regulator from pro mini? Also, should I add my own regulator to the nmodule (on BRD section)? Where should I connect my + and - from usb breakout to the nmodule? Thanks alot!

                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #66

                              Hello,

                              what does that mean ?
                              @zmatokan said in 💬 NModule:

                              connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout.

                              Do you power the board from 12V or 5V ?

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Z Offline
                                Z Offline
                                zmatokan
                                wrote on last edited by zmatokan
                                #67

                                @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                                Hello,

                                what does that mean ?
                                @zmatokan said in 💬 NModule:

                                connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout.

                                Do you power the board from 12V or 5V ?

                                Hi,

                                thanks for a very quick reply. I am trying to use a 12v external power source to power the arduino + radio + nmodule board. I tried soldering AMS1117 3,3V to the BRD part of the nmodule board, but when I connect my 12v (+ to the RAW pin and - to the ground) I do not get the regulated voltage at the nmodule shield breakout.

                                In essence I would like to make my nmodule board work without batteries, by using external power source (usb breakout that is connected to android 12v adapter). This 12v would be regulated by AMS1117 that I solder on BRD part of the board. This way both arduino and radio would get 3,3v and nmodule board would push that voltage to the shield trough vcc and gnd. Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way?

                                This the quote on your OpenHardware page that I am using as a guidance:

                                "footprint for an AMS1117 regulator (light blue) if your source voltage is too high for Arduino (> 5.5 V or > 3.3V for 8MHz version). AMS1117 can handle up to 15V and 800mA but it consumes a lot of power, so this regulator should be used only for "wired" power (12V, USB, ...) and never with batteries. If you are using only this regulator, the capacitor of the radio should be enough to keep it stable, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can use the capacitor footprints on the other side of the board: C6/C7 for input C8/C9 for output."

                                I managed to make my double AAA version to work without problems and kudos for great work!

                                Thanks alot!

                                NeverDieN Nca78N 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • Z zmatokan

                                  @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                                  Hello,

                                  what does that mean ?
                                  @zmatokan said in 💬 NModule:

                                  connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout.

                                  Do you power the board from 12V or 5V ?

                                  Hi,

                                  thanks for a very quick reply. I am trying to use a 12v external power source to power the arduino + radio + nmodule board. I tried soldering AMS1117 3,3V to the BRD part of the nmodule board, but when I connect my 12v (+ to the RAW pin and - to the ground) I do not get the regulated voltage at the nmodule shield breakout.

                                  In essence I would like to make my nmodule board work without batteries, by using external power source (usb breakout that is connected to android 12v adapter). This 12v would be regulated by AMS1117 that I solder on BRD part of the board. This way both arduino and radio would get 3,3v and nmodule board would push that voltage to the shield trough vcc and gnd. Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way?

                                  This the quote on your OpenHardware page that I am using as a guidance:

                                  "footprint for an AMS1117 regulator (light blue) if your source voltage is too high for Arduino (> 5.5 V or > 3.3V for 8MHz version). AMS1117 can handle up to 15V and 800mA but it consumes a lot of power, so this regulator should be used only for "wired" power (12V, USB, ...) and never with batteries. If you are using only this regulator, the capacitor of the radio should be enough to keep it stable, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can use the capacitor footprints on the other side of the board: C6/C7 for input C8/C9 for output."

                                  I managed to make my double AAA version to work without problems and kudos for great work!

                                  Thanks alot!

                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDieN Offline
                                  NeverDie
                                  Hero Member
                                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                                  #68

                                  @zmatokan Luckily NCA78 has a really good track record of picking low priced parts that are nonetheless really good parts. If worse came to worst, that AMS1117's thermal protection would turn the AMS1117 off until it could cool down rather than overheat to the point of destroying itself.

                                  Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • Z zmatokan

                                    @nca78 said in 💬 NModule:

                                    Hello,

                                    what does that mean ?
                                    @zmatokan said in 💬 NModule:

                                    connect 12v as a power source from usb breakout.

                                    Do you power the board from 12V or 5V ?

                                    Hi,

                                    thanks for a very quick reply. I am trying to use a 12v external power source to power the arduino + radio + nmodule board. I tried soldering AMS1117 3,3V to the BRD part of the nmodule board, but when I connect my 12v (+ to the RAW pin and - to the ground) I do not get the regulated voltage at the nmodule shield breakout.

                                    In essence I would like to make my nmodule board work without batteries, by using external power source (usb breakout that is connected to android 12v adapter). This 12v would be regulated by AMS1117 that I solder on BRD part of the board. This way both arduino and radio would get 3,3v and nmodule board would push that voltage to the shield trough vcc and gnd. Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way?

                                    This the quote on your OpenHardware page that I am using as a guidance:

                                    "footprint for an AMS1117 regulator (light blue) if your source voltage is too high for Arduino (> 5.5 V or > 3.3V for 8MHz version). AMS1117 can handle up to 15V and 800mA but it consumes a lot of power, so this regulator should be used only for "wired" power (12V, USB, ...) and never with batteries. If you are using only this regulator, the capacitor of the radio should be enough to keep it stable, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can use the capacitor footprints on the other side of the board: C6/C7 for input C8/C9 for output."

                                    I managed to make my double AAA version to work without problems and kudos for great work!

                                    Thanks alot!

                                    Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78N Offline
                                    Nca78
                                    Hardware Contributor
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #69

                                    @zmatokan ok it's clear now.
                                    So yes you should remove the regulator on the pro-mini, because it's also doing voltage regulation from RAW to VCC and it can't work in parallel with the AMS1117.
                                    Then if you have added ceramic capacitors (one for input, one for output, 1uA each) and connect 12V on RAW and GND you should have 3.3V on VCC. Then you can short JRADIO to send the 3.3V to the radio module.

                                    Z 2 Replies Last reply
                                    1
                                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                                      @zmatokan Luckily NCA78 has a really good track record of picking low priced parts that are nonetheless really good parts. If worse came to worst, that AMS1117's thermal protection would turn the AMS1117 off until it could cool down rather than overheat to the point of destroying itself.

                                      Nca78N Offline
                                      Nca78N Offline
                                      Nca78
                                      Hardware Contributor
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #70

                                      @neverdie thank you for the kind words, but in this case the AMS1117 was not a "selection", it's just the cheap regulator that is used everywhere :)

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • Nca78N Nca78

                                        @zmatokan ok it's clear now.
                                        So yes you should remove the regulator on the pro-mini, because it's also doing voltage regulation from RAW to VCC and it can't work in parallel with the AMS1117.
                                        Then if you have added ceramic capacitors (one for input, one for output, 1uA each) and connect 12V on RAW and GND you should have 3.3V on VCC. Then you can short JRADIO to send the 3.3V to the radio module.

                                        Z Offline
                                        Z Offline
                                        zmatokan
                                        wrote on last edited by zmatokan
                                        #71

                                        @nca78 Thanks for the info, Il try it today!

                                        Works like charm! :-D

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • Nca78N Nca78

                                          @zmatokan ok it's clear now.
                                          So yes you should remove the regulator on the pro-mini, because it's also doing voltage regulation from RAW to VCC and it can't work in parallel with the AMS1117.
                                          Then if you have added ceramic capacitors (one for input, one for output, 1uA each) and connect 12V on RAW and GND you should have 3.3V on VCC. Then you can short JRADIO to send the 3.3V to the radio module.

                                          Z Offline
                                          Z Offline
                                          zmatokan
                                          wrote on last edited by zmatokan
                                          #72

                                          @Nca78 Hi, looks like I am doing something wrong in my last attempts to use your design with 12v external power supply.

                                          I am using:

                                          • Arduino 5v, 16hz
                                          • AMS 1117 5.0V
                                          • 662K XC6206 - 5v to 3.3v voltage regulator for radio
                                          • 10UF-16V CAP for radio
                                          • NRF24L01SMD

                                          As you can see on a picture, I am using a terminal block where i push 12v.

                                          IMG_3554.jpg

                                          When I connect the power to the terminal, my Voltage regulator get veeery hot and nothing works.
                                          When I connected my FTDI to try to upload a sketch, a capacitor on arduino got fried. You can see it in the next pic.

                                          IMG_3555.jpg

                                          This happened on tree of my boards.

                                          Can you please take a look and try to see where the problem might be?

                                          Thanks alot!

                                          Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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