Metro Mini V2 can take 16V on Vin ?

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lgrant2000
 
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Metro Mini V2 can take 16V on Vin ?

Post by lgrant2000 »

I'm looking to use the Mini V2 as a "less than smart" ECM in an automotive environment and, keeping things as simple as possible, would like to use the nominal 12V electrical sys to power the V2. As we all know, the working voltage in a healthy system can approach 14V and there may also be surges, plus and minus. Technically that is within the specs. Can the V2 handle this - is it going to have a shorter life working in the upper range of the supply specs? Maybe a simple circuit to get the supply V down into the 9V-10V range?
Thanks,
Larry

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Metro Mini V2 can take 16V on Vin ?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

The on-board voltage regulator is rated for up to 16v input. But it is a linear regulator and at that supply voltage it will need to dissipate nearly 70% of all input power as heat. So it will be working pretty hard - especially if you have any additional circuitry connected to the Mini. Pushing components like these to their limits will shorten their useful life.

I'd recommend using a buck regulator to reduce the voltage to the Mini. In addition to relieving stress on the Mini regulator, it will further isolate it from the electrical noise which plagues most automotive electrical systems. There are many buck regulators designed for automotive use.

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lgrant2000
 
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Re: Metro Mini V2 can take 16V on Vin ?

Post by lgrant2000 »

Is the MPM3610 5V Buck Converter a good choice in this instance? Or, for automotive electrical, do you recommend something else?
Thanks,
Larry

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Re: Metro Mini V2 can take 16V on Vin ?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Yes. The MPM3610 buck converter will work. Using that, you would feed power to the Metro via the GND and 5v pins. That will bypass the internal regulator and supply 5v directly to the board.

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