Connecting a power supply to Asset Tracker V2

Hardware
#1

Hello All

I want to know if anyone has managed to connect an AC power supply directly from a wall outlet. Or possibly power the Asset Tracker V2 via cigarette lighter. I am able to cut and strip the wires to a wall charger and power the device but I am looking for a more permanant solution. I’m looking for more of a female end I can connect to the device so I can quick connect/disconnect a wall or cigarette lighter power supply.

Thanks

#2

AC is a no go as supply. You need DC - and it should be fairly clean too.

As for the cigarette lighter, I assume in a car, you need to add some filtering since the board power on a car is notoriously noisy - especially while starting/cranking.

#3

You could power the asset tracker via USB and plug that USB cord into a 12v cigarette Lighter USB charger pretty easily and cheaply.

#4

I should have clarified. The wall charger is an AC/DC converter and that works fine.

As far as usage inside a vehicle. It will only be used while the vehicle is running.

#5

Will the USB cord interfere with the GPS Antenna?

#6

No.

1 Like
#7

This is an old post, but:

We do not recommend powering it from a USB source, as the USB cable will block the GPS antenna leading to a poor or no satellite reception. If you HAVE to use the USB power, then make sure to use an external GPS antenna.
Source: https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-files/3451/p3451b-datasheet.pdf

What did you end up doing? I’m searching for a solution as well.

#8

Not sure how strong the impact of the USB cable actually will be when routed in a way that it stays out of the way of the antenna as good as possible.
You could maybe even get a 90° microUSB cable to win some distance.

What’s your reason to need USB?

One “crude” workaround - if you need USB data connection - would be to solder D+/D- wires to the respective solder pads on the Electron and lead the USB cable underneath the Electron out the other end.

#9

In my experience, the AssetTrackerV1 (PA6H with GPS antenna integrated on the chip) is much more sensitive to having the USB cable blocking the GPS signal than the AssetTrackerV2 (u-blox with separate antenna on the shield).

1 Like