Hello,
I just bought a couple Xbee's and was planning on powering them with 2 x AA 1.5V Batteries.
Although I know the Xbee power source needs to be 3.3V.
I bought these 2 x AA Battery holders off amazon to power the breadboard. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SO ... UTF8&psc=1
Can these be used? Is it possible to get this to work, or do I need a battery holder which holds more than 2 x AA Batteries? Or do I need some circuit to step up the voltage a little bit?
Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
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- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
It might work as is with 3v. But you don't want to exceed the 3.3v rating. One solution is to use 3xAA (4.5v) and the XBee adapter which has a 3.3v regulator on it.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/126
https://www.adafruit.com/product/126
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- Posts: 38
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Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
Ok so it wont damage it to try powering with just 2 x AA Batteries?
I have those adapters. So you are saying that if it doesn't power with 2 x AA Batteries, then use a 3 x AA Battery holder (4.5V) and power it through the adapter which will regulate the voltage for me?
I will probably be using the adapter at first anyways because I am experimenting with solder-less breadboard.
I have those adapters. So you are saying that if it doesn't power with 2 x AA Batteries, then use a 3 x AA Battery holder (4.5V) and power it through the adapter which will regulate the voltage for me?
I will probably be using the adapter at first anyways because I am experimenting with solder-less breadboard.
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Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
If I use the 2 x AA Battery Holder (3v) hooked up to the adapter, would it step up the voltage to make it 3.3V?
If I can make use of the 2 x AA battery holders that would be great, otherwise I will have to buy the 3 x AA Battery holders.
If I can make use of the 2 x AA battery holders that would be great, otherwise I will have to buy the 3 x AA Battery holders.
- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
It is not a boost regulator, so the input voltage needs to be a bit higher than the regulated output voltage. You can try powering it with your 2xAA pack using the pin marked 3v on the adapter. It may just work that way - maybe with a slightly reduced range.
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Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
Great I will try this out and let everyone know if it works or not. Thanks!
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:40 pm
Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
Just wondering, if using the adapter would it also work when using 4 x AA Battery pack for (6v)?
Would this step down the voltage to 3.3V?
I also notice the adapter has a +5V spot, could the 4 x AA Battery (6V) pack be hooked up to that as well?
Would this step down the voltage to 3.3V?
I also notice the adapter has a +5V spot, could the 4 x AA Battery (6V) pack be hooked up to that as well?
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88154
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Powering an Xbee and sensor with 2 x AA Batteries
It can probably handle a 6v pack. It will just make the regulator work harder to burn off the excess. It won't give you any more run-time, so the extra battery power is really wasted.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.