I’ve run into a power issue with my Boron. This is the first time using this board so bear with me if this is a simple problem. I’m building a dust sensor project running a Sharp GP2Y1010AU0F specifically this one . Im trying to run it off the 3.3v pin on the Boron and when I power it up with a USB …

[image] Aidan: the charge status LED turns onto orange and doesn’t change A lit charging LED would indicate it is charging. However, depending on the current remaining after powering all your connected circuitry may be quite small and hence you won't see the SoC of the battery change over a …

[image] ScruffR: But the current a GPIO can drive on the Boron is less (14mA) than on the Photon (25mA). This sensor requires 20ma according to the specifications. So if it is powered from a GPIO pin you have an issue, if its powered from the 3V3 directly - then there is something else wrong.…

Thanks, ScruffR and shanevanj for the help. Here is a picture of what I'm trying to do. The sensor has VCC plugged into the 3v3 on the Boron, GND to GND, AOUT to A0 and ILED to D6. [IMG_20191117_111807] [image] ScruffR: Also, how much current can your USB source deliver? Im connected to a…

[image] Aidan: Im connected to a Macbook Pro with USB C so to my knowledge that should be plenty of current for the Boron and the sensor. I cannot vouch for USB C, but for USB 2.0 and 3.0 a USB device should start off with a max. current demand of no more than 100mA and then negotiate it's ac…

Just tried it with a 12w usb charger and still running into the same problem.

[image] Aidan: he minute I unplug the sensor the boron enters its normal boot-up process. Try only unplugging partially - keep Vcc and GND and only remove ILED and/or Aout and see what each of the three cases does. Try connecting a LiPo too. The sensor cable seems to have female connectors,…

Just had some success. I tried unplugging both the ILED and Aout neither of which helped. But I just plugged into a LiPo and it has booted up and everything seems to be working properly. Any idea why this would be?

When the LiPo helps I’d suspect there is a sudden current spike when the system is plugged in which can’t be met by the USB supply fast enough. LiPos are much more responsive. This is a known issue with 2G and 3G Electrons which can’t be used reliably without LiPo or extra fast USB/Vin supply.

Interesting, ok. I was originally hoping to run the system without a lipo and instead use a small AC-DC stepdown connected directly to the VBUS pin. I’m guessing if that isn’t fast enough I’ll need to add a supplemental Lipo. Thanks so much for helping me figure this out.

You can also add some buffer caps instead, but for that you may need to experiment which and how much capacitance you need.

Boron Power Issue with Sharp Dust Sensor

Troubleshooting

Rftop November 17, 2019, 10:03pm 15

Yes. A quick search revealed a few Posts on the forum related to this:

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Boron Power Issue with Sharp Dust Sensor

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