Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Breakout boards, sensors, other Adafruit kits, etc.

Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
Locked
User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

A short question about my new adafruit solar charger, please. The USB C port on this board is usually used for charging via DC.

The power supply of the Arduino etc. has to be connected here as well?

I ordered a USB C to USB mirco cable, but the whole thing doesn't work properly yet. For the first test I used a 3.7V 150 mAh lipo. That could of course be too weak.

Thanks in advance.

User avatar
mikeysklar
 
Posts: 13824
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by mikeysklar »

That size battery is probably going to be an issue unless you have cut the 1A charge current jumper and soldered the 0.5A to reduce the charge current.
If you just want 0.5A, 1A or 1.5A charge rates, you can use the selectable jumpers in the middle of the board. Cut the 1.0A one and solder closed your desired charge rate!
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bq2 ... ut/pinouts

The USB-C port is an input for charging batteries, not for power a controller.
Charge with 5-10V DC, USB or 5-10V solar panel, can have both USB and DC plugged in at the same time, higher voltage source will be used.
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bq2 ... t/overview

User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

Thank you, mikeysklar, for this answer and explanation.

The 3.7 V 150mAh Lipo was only ordered to test the system and is to be replaced by a 18650 with 2600 mAh in the future.

Okay, then apparently I have to take the Load Jst socket to power the controller (ESP8266). Do I still need a boost converter?
Load output is regulated to never be over 4.4V so it's safe for 3.3V regulators or 5V boost converters
Or what else do I need to connect a ESP8266? Thank you in advance for answering my question.

User avatar
mikeysklar
 
Posts: 13824
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by mikeysklar »

You should be able to run your ESP8266 off the LOAD pin as is with no booster assuming you have plenty of battery capacity.

User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

Thank you, mikeysklar

I'll try it soon. I have to look for something to connect JST (LOAD) -> micro USB (ESP8266), right?

BR

User avatar
mikeysklar
 
Posts: 13824
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by mikeysklar »

I would use JST <—> JST withe Feather Huzzah ESP8266.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/2821

I don’t think you can to go through the micro-USB with that voltage unless you are willing to add a booster.

Alternatively you can wire pin direct from the Load Out on the bq24074 to the BAT and GND pins on the ESP8266.

User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

Thanks a lot for your help & support, mikeysklar

I'll try it with Feather Huzzah ESP8266, soon.

BR

User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

GK8591 wrote:Thanks a lot for your help & support, mikeysklar

I'll try it with Feather Huzzah ESP8266, soon.

BR
BTW: If I want to use a booster for connecting JST - micro USB, what module do you suggest?

Thanks again & BR

User avatar
mikeysklar
 
Posts: 13824
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:10 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by mikeysklar »

This would be the basic booster from JST battery to USB-A 5v (where you could have a USB-A cable to USB-Micro-B).

https://www.adafruit.com/product/1903

We have a lot of modules that can do the boost, but this would have the connectors that are most direct for your application.

User avatar
GK8591
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: Adafruit Solar Charger - bq24074 USB C port

Post by GK8591 »

mikeysklar

Thanks for all the useful information, so I can do more interesting experiments this winter.

A lot of greetings from Germany.

Locked
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.

Return to “Other Products from Adafruit”