Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

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ctmorrison
 
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Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

I'm having issues using the subject parts together. Up front, I'm trying to power with a 3.7V LiPo battery (6600mAh) also from Adafruit. I added a male JST to the TPL5110 for the battery input (connected to VDD and GND) and a female JST (connected to DRV and GND) to supply power to the ESP32-S2. Prior to plugging the ESP32-S2, the power output from the TPL5110 is 4+ VDC. However, when I power (by plugging in the JST cable) the ESP32-S2, the voltage from the TPL5110 drops to 1.6 VDC. I can't see any current rating on the TPL5110 documentation, so I don't know if this load is too great and pulling the voltage down. I've disconnected the DONE lead to make sure it isn't getting things awry, but with no benefit.

I have a second TPL5110 that I'm going to try just in case the first one is bad.

Is there any fundamental reason this won't work in this configuration?

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Franklin97355
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by Franklin97355 »

Can you post pictures of your connections?

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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

That should work fine.

What is happening? What issue are you having?

Are all the JST polarities correct?

What is the trim pot set to? What happens when you press the button?

Details please.

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

The ESP32-S2 Feather never powers up. The light on the TPL5110 goes dark (well....a very light flicker).

All the cables are polarized correctly. I just tried my "backup" TPL5110 and got the same result. Blah!!!

Makes no difference what the trim pot is set to. I haven't activated DONE, so there should be power to the Feather. As I said, as soon as I connect the TPL5110 to the Feather, things go/stay dark. I'm thinking it has something to do with the charging circuit on the Feather.

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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

As Franklin asked... can you post some clear photos of your wiring and connections?

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

As requested, here are some pics of the wiring.
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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

The charge circuit should only be a potential problem (but I don't think so) if USB was plugged in as well.

FWIW I've generally used the TPL5111 with the Feather's EN input.

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

So...you're suggesting I connect DRV output to EN? The docs say EN needs to be pulled low to disable the 3.3V regulator. This assumes the TPL5110 output is pulled to ground when not high. Just asking before I smoke something.

I guess I'll have to connect the battery to the Feather JST and the VDD (and GND) of the TPL5110. I'll then connect EN to DRV and one of my digital outputs to DONE. Correct?

Kinda wish one of the Adafruit folks would have chimed in to say why the original way is not working.

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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

No. You would need a TPL5111 to use the Feather's EN input.

I'm not sure why the original way isn't working. I'll experiment a bit as well as ask around internally and get back to you.

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

I thought that's what I asked. I connect the TPL5110 DRV pin to the Feather's EN pin. Right?

Just for clarification, I'm using an Adafruit TPL5110. I believe it incorporates a TPL5111 internally.

So....
I'll connect the battery to the Feather via the JST.
I'll connect from BAT on the Feather to VDD on the TPL5110.
I'll connect from GND on the Feather to GND on the TPL5110.
I'll connect from EN on the Feather to DRV on the TPL5110.
I'll (eventually) connect something like pin 6 to DONE on the TPL5110

BTW, I tried using the TPL5110 with a QT PY with a LiPo battery board adapter (from Adafruit) and I get the same issue. Weird.

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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

I wired it up (see images) exactly as you did, with DONE left unconnected. I connected it to an ESP32-S2 TFT feather and every things works fine. Using a jumper to make DONE high (I connected to BAT on the Feather) turned everything off, pressing the button on the TPL5110 turned it back on.

Recheck your connections and soldering. I assume the Feather works fine with the battery directly connected.

Dave
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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

No, The battery is at a higher voltage that the MCU's logic high. It might damage something.

See my last post. As I expected, it works fine the way you had it connected.

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

"No."????? I said connect from the MCU BATT terminal to the VDD on the TPL5110.

I'm using a slightly different ESP32-S2. There must be some fundamental difference between the two devices.

I've soldered up 2 of the TPL5110's with the same result.

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dastels
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by dastels »

I was referring to "I'll connect from EN on the Feather to DRV on the TPL5110"

I can't see the display making a difference.

Anyway, I'm waiting to hear if anyone else in support has any suggestions.

Dave

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ctmorrison
 
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Re: Feather ESP32-S2 and TPL5110 with LiPo battery

Post by ctmorrison »

Quite honestly, I'm hoping someone from Adafruit grabs one of each of these devices and gives it a whirl.

You had indicated you use EN typically for the TPL5111. That's what I thought you were suggesting. How do you connect to the EN when you go that route?

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