5v vs. 3.3v Pro Mini battery powered nodes

[alexsh1]

@mhkid I cannot see the consumption. Do you have the datasheet?

Most likely this is not a battery friendly sensor. In this case you stil can use it via a step up converter and TPL5110, which will switchit off completely while sleeping

[Yveaux]

@alexsh1 it is a mechanical switch, just like a button or reed switch.
https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.cneni.com/cn/file.asp%3FFilename%3Dupload/products/download/2009_10_29_16_27_30_150570.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjZgbb605LcAhWG-qQKHXHjC6YQFjAOegQIABAB&usg=AOvVaw2MqIOPIURwEs_sa7VMGGoi

@zboblamont nice find :+1:

[alexsh1]

@yveaux Maximum operating current - 500mA. It depends how often the pressure is going to change, but one can pretty much forget about batteries as the source of power.

[mhkid]

Thanks for all the suggestions and replies. I'll take all the info, weigh the options and then report back on what I end up doing.

[alexsh1]

@mhkid Another option for you is using TPL5110 module:

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3435

I have just received one today and going to tinker with it.
To me it seems like a good idea to have a powerful sensors with Arduino on batteries.

[mhkid]

@alexsh1 - Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be curious to hear what you think of the TPL5110.

[Yveaux]

@alexsh1 look at the schematic; it is just a mechanical switch with 2 wires. It can probably only carry 500ma max.

[zboblamont]

@yveaux Are you sure you are not talking at crossed purposes about different devices? The device @mhkid was originally referring to is the one with the 5v supply requirement, Circuit hopefully below.
The one I suggested as a low pressure alarm actuator was a variable pressure switch, which may be the one you are referring to...

[Yveaux]

@zboblamont Mine is a lot simpler :laughing:

@alexsh1 Mea culpa, too many crosslinked discussions; apparently I lost track.

Still, I like your sensor better @zboblamont

[alexsh1]

@yveaux My suggestion is very simple. If there is a device which consumes more than > 5-50uA sleeping on a battery powered node, it has to be completely disconnected while sleeping. This is where TPL5110 comes in. Obviously if an interrupt is used it does not work

[zboblamont]

@alexsh1 Much the same principal as my 5v/3v solution for the 5v ultrasonic, only here I used a latching relay leaving the 3v Arduino on sleep power consumption.
An interesting device however, with a low standby and effectively a timer function, it has many possibilities.

Where this original project has been skewed is unfortunate, the selected devices compel the dual voltage solution, whereas an alternative strategy removes the need for it completely.
Although pulses and switches can be regarded as "old" technology, they can still be highly effective for battery powered applications where energy conservation is critical..