Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

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sarahdal
 
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Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by sarahdal »

I've seen several different answers to this, I have a pizero logging and sending the data through the fona, and ideally would like it all powered through solar and a lipo.

I'm using the bq24074 charger to charge the main battery and power the pi through solar. Can I just split the load output to power both the pi and the Fona's lipo charging circuit? I have a second battery plugged in to the fona.

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sarahdal
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by sarahdal »

For the second time I think I've managed to answer my own question before anyone can reply!

I think I can split the load output from the lipo solar charger bq24074 and run one to the pi, and one to the 5V pin on the FONA? That's the 5V nearest the existing usb. And the ground to ground.

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

You'd want to connect the LiPo to the battery connector on the FONA instead of the 5V pin. Other than that, you should be good.

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fgnievinski
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Not really.. the BQ24074 doesn't produce 5V output, so the FONA's onboard LiPo charger won't get enough supply voltage.

Connect the LiPo to the Solar Charger's BAT connector, then connect the charger's LOAD output to the FONA's BAT pin and the microcontroller's power pin.

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sarahdal
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by sarahdal »

Do I still need the seperate LiPo for the FONA card in this arrangement?

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fgnievinski
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by fgnievinski »

adafruit_support_mike wrote:(... ) Connect the LiPo to the Solar Charger's BAT connector, then connect the charger's LOAD output to the FONA's BAT pin and the microcontroller's power pin.
maybe option 1 here?

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=184595#p896435

thank you for the clarification.

-FGN.

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

sarahdal wrote:Do I still need the seperate LiPo for the FONA card in this arrangement?
No. Connecting the charger's LOAD output to the FONA's JST-PH2 jack is a good enough connection.

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sarahdal
 
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Re: Fona 800 + Pi Zero solar power

Post by sarahdal »

Excellent, thank you!

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