PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

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Tom_Henry
 
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PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by Tom_Henry »

When I run the attached code.py on my PyPortal with several Adafruit sensors attached, I get a perfect output that refreshes every 60 seconds and posts sensor data correctly to one of my Adafruit IO Dashboards.

code.py output

Connecting to WiFi...
Connected!

Connecting to Adafruit io...
Connected to Adafruit io.

Tom Henry's Sensor Data:

Today is Sunday: 12/5/2021
The time is 14:12:41
Counter: 0

BMP390 sensor readings:
Pressure: 1018.9 hPa
Pressure: 14.8 psi
Temperature: 25.21 C
Temperature: 77.38 F
Altitude: -46.9877 meters

MS8607 sensor readings:
Pressure: 1020.28 hPa
Pressure: 14.80 psi
Temperature: 24.84 C
Temperature: 76.96 F
Humidity: 42.95 % rH

SHT40 sensor readings:
Temperature: 25.1 C
Temperature: 77.2 F
Humidity: 48.7 %

Once I plug in the PowerBoost 1000C to the PyPortal per the attached photo, I get this output from the PyPortal. It prints out the correct info from lines 36 and 37.

code.py output
Found SHT4x with serial number 0x104a2124
Current mode is: No heater, high precision

Then the output keeps repeating the following 2 lines in a continuous loop:

Failed to connect, retrying
ESP32 time out on SPI select
Failed to connect, retrying
ESP32 time out on SPI select
Failed to connect, retrying
ESP32 time out on SPI select
Failed to connect, retrying
ESP32 time out on SPI select

If I disconnect the connector from the PowerBoost 1000C, and reset the PyPortal, everything works just fine.

I am looking for ideas on how to fix this so I can run my program using my PKCELL LP785060 3.7 v 2500mAh Adafruit battery.

Any ideas?

Tom Henry
Attachments
PyPortal Code.py
(5.62 KiB) Downloaded 1 time
PyPortal & PowerBoost.png
PyPortal & PowerBoost.png (802.32 KiB) Viewed 186 times

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mikeysklar
 
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Re: PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by mikeysklar »

It looks like you need to provide more than 1A for the combination of PyPortal + sensors. The limiting factor is most likely your battery pack as the 1000C can delivery up to 2.5A peak.

This pack should provide up to 3.3A so it would allow you to max out the 1000C.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/353

I think it would make sense to use a 2A power brick.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/1566

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Tom_Henry
 
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Re: PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by Tom_Henry »

I tried this:

I cut down the number of sensors to only 2 and have attached the modified code.py.

MS8607 and the Clock PCF8523

I used a Power Bank that has an output of DC Volts: 5 volts / 3 A (max). I plugged that into the PowerBoost 1000c.

Just as before, it would keep repeating these 2 lines:

Failed to connect, retrying
ESP32 timed out on SPI select

It seems like it should work.

Suggestions ??

Tom Henry
Attachments
code.py
(5.7 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

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Tom_Henry
 
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Re: PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by Tom_Henry »

Ok, I tried something else.

I just plugged my PowerBank directly into the PyPortal and totally eliminated the PowerBoost 1000c.

Everything works fine.

Must be something about using the PowerBoost 1000c.

Tom Henry

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mikeysklar
 
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Re: PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by mikeysklar »

How did you connect the USB battery pack to the PowerBoost 1000C? If you used the PowerBoost 1000C micro-USB the current would be greatly limited to only ~500mA. The PowerBoost can provide a peak current of 2.5A through the battery JST connector assuming the LiPo pack can handle it.

Is there any reason to use the PowerBoost 1000C for the application? In you case it makes more sense to stay with the USB/3A supply you have and not to use the PowerBoost.

Were you able to add all the sensors back and run off the USB 3A directly?

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Tom_Henry
 
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Re: PyPortal, various sensors, & PowerBoost 1000c

Post by Tom_Henry »

Yes, I was able to get all the sensors working while using the USB/3A directly.

I will work on using the PowerBoost with the PyPortal without connecting any external sensors.

Should be ok.

Thanks for you help in better understand how the PowerBoost works.

Tom Henry

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