I’ve built my Rover, including adding the expansion plate (because it looks cool and helps with hardware mounting and cable routing) and a Bluetooth module. I’ve noticed (even before attaching the Bluetooth module) that when I’m connected via USB the lights on the mainboard are very bright and everything works correctly – the motors run when told to, the servos do their thing, etc. However, if I disconnect the USB cable, the lights dim quite a bit and the rest of the hardware ceases to do what it’s supposed to. Grabbing my handy multimeter I tested the voltage across a 5V pin and ground and also across a 3.3V pin and ground. The 5V test yielded 2.7V and the 3.3V test yielded 1.8V. The same test while attached to USB yielded 4.5V and 3.3V. I’ve attempted to charge the battery multiple times and have never removed the jumper from the left-rear of the mainboard because I never intended to use AA batteries. I’ve attempted to charge with the power switch in the off position and also with it in the on position and neither seems to have any effect.
Obviously I could switch over to AA batteries but that seems kind of silly given that the kit comes with the rechargeable LiPo battery. Any suggestions? Bad battery? Bad board? Defective end user? I appreciate any assistance.
–Marc A. Brown
Can you provide a photo or two or the setup? It sounds like the LiPo is not charging:
]Check that the source is powered (if your computer is off or in sleep mode, it might not provide power to the USB)/:m] ]Check that there is not too much connected to the Arduino which will severely reduce the voltage/:m] ]The LiPo battery (1000mAh) can take up to 3 hours to charge (an average USB port can provide up to around 400mA)/:m] ]The LiPo battery may have dropped low enough not to be able to charge correctly - check the normal voltage./:m]
Thanks for getting back to me! Sorry it took me an extra day to get back to you. Been busy on other projects.
0. What photos would you like to see? Device turned on? Battery connection? Comparative between the LEDs with LiPo and AA pack? Something else? I’ll be glad to provide whatever. Please note that I’ve installed the expansion plate, so some items will be obscured.
My PC is set up not to go to sleep. In addition, the device was plugged into an “always on” USB port. I’ve also tried charging using a dedicated USB charger.
It’s possible that I have too much connected. I have all of the sensors, etc. included with the autonomous kit as well as a DF-BluetoothV3 board. However, when I switch over to the AA battery pack, the robot runs just fine and the blue LEDs all remain very brightly lit, even when the motors are running at their max speed.
I’ve left the unit plugged in overnight (7+ hours).
Maybe it’s lack of sleep but I’m not quite getting what you’re asking for me to do with the last point.
It sounds like the 3.7V LiPo pack is not powerful enough to run everything you have (since the 4xAA pack seems to work).
The only way to tell would be to disconnect everything and run the WASD code using the LiPo pack via Bluetooth.
I agree. Thought about that shortly after my last reply. Haven’t had the chance to verify that the LiPo works fine without all of the other baggage but will do so just to be sure.
You should switch to AA batteries. It is the easiest option. I am not a fan of rechargeable batteries. The amount and time it consumes to manage is not worth it. I always use one time use batteries in everything.
I appreciate any assistance.