[solved - beta electron issue] SLEEP_MODE_DEEP but still using 2,7mA while it should be 0,13mA

Troubleshooting
#21

Thanks @ScruffR I had not seen that other thread, I will follow the results from that. At the moment I only need the sleep state, not the deep sleep one so I think I can get it working at that level. I will be looking forward though to getting the thing down to microAmp levels for the next challenge

1 Like
#22

@BDub Iā€™ve been also trying to get a bare electron to the uA level during sleep but Iā€™m only able to get it to 1.75mA

version 6.0.0
electron connects to cloud before sleeping

Any thoughts anyone?

#include "application.h"

void setup() {

}

void loop() {
  System.sleep(SLEEP_MODE_DEEP, 45L);
}
#23

Could the internally connected VBAT to the 3.3v supply be causing this?

https://docs.particle.io/datasheets/electron-datasheet/#pin-description

Supply to the internal RTC, backup registers and SRAM when 3V3 is not present (1.65 to 3.6VDC). The Pin is internally connected to 3V3 supply via a 0 ohm resistor. If you wish to power is via an external supply, you'll need to remove this resistor. Instructions to remove this resistor can be found here ```
#24

Try System.sleep(SLEEP_MODE_SOFTPOWEROFF, 45L); which also sleeps the Fuel gauge.

#25

@BDub Just tried that and its at 1.63mA. Iā€™m measuring the current directly from the battery on the + side

#26

@peekay123 @ScruffR if you have the time could you try to verify the minimum battery consumption of the electron when its in deep sleep mode with the 0.6.0 firmware?

#27

If you are not used to measuring uA currents on devices that can also draw 100ā€™s of mA, you may be trying to power the Electron while measuring uAā€™s. That wonā€™t give the electron enough power to turn on and correctly process the shutdown commands. If you think thatā€™s the problem, you can try this:

  1. A precise meter with low burden voltage is required
  2. measure uAā€™s, but short the leads at the meter
  3. when the Electron goes into SLEEP_MODE_SOFTPOWEROFF, remove the short circuit at the meter.
#28

@BDub, Iā€™ll give your suggestions a try.

I am using this mulitmeter, do you think this is sufficient? If not do you have any suggestions for buying some thing to measure uA with?

http://tekpower.us/tp9605bt.html

#29

You need something like this https://www.eevblog.com/projects/ucurrent/

I have one, could run this test for you over the weekend maybe.

#30

@RWB, that looks pretty cool, I tried finding to buy one but it looks like it comes from AUS.

That would be awesome if you could try your meter.

#31

Mine came from Australia pretty quickly.

Iā€™ll try to remember to do this over the weekend. let me know if I forget.

#32

Hard to say if that meter is qualityā€¦ itā€™s not too cheap :slight_smile: but thereā€™s no datasheet?

The uCurrent Gold is also what I prefer to use, along with some other meters (HP, Tektronix, Extech). The downside to the uCurrent is that itā€™s powered by a CR2032 battery, and really hurts when you forget to turn it off (so you get in the habit of turning it off after EVERY measurement).

@RWB @wesner0019 I just ran that code on a production Electron v0.6.0 and itā€™s reading 126uA on the uCurrent Gold.

EDIT: and I just shut the power off on the uCurrent :wink:

3 Likes
#33

@BDub i just ordered up a uCurrent. Yeah thats what I thought about this tekpower meter when I got it.

Below is the manual:

http://multimeterwarehouse.com/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/2/

#34

@Bdub If you still have that Ucurrent gold hooked up to the Electron and can take picture of how you have it hooked up. I never was able to find a clear example of how you are supposed to properly connect the input and output on the Ucurrent. I had to look for pictures of how others had used it and hope I hooked it up correctly.

#35

Iā€™m glad you asked @RWB! I was totally going to do that, but then my phone was in the other room charging, and there was no clean place to take a picture (thereā€™s a few projects going on currently)ā€¦ so I got lazy about doing it.

Here it is!

uCurrent.jpg3024Ɨ4032 1.93 MB

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#36

It doesnā€™t spec the burden voltage, but Iā€™m thinking it could measure itā€¦ try the short circuit trick. You can also start in mA or A mode, and switch down to uA mode. Iā€™d just be worried if it opened any contacts while doing that (it doesnā€™t on the uCurrent). If you have a second meter, you can measure the voltage getting to the electron while in mA/A modes vs uA mode. Youā€™ll know right away if you have a burden voltage problem if the voltage drops to like 1-2V.

Hereā€™s a nice article on the uCurrent and more than youā€™d ever thought you should know about low current measurements:

#37

@Bdub That picture is worth a thousand words :smiley:

I now feel confident I know exactly how I should be hooking this thing up :smile:

I burnt the 1st uCurrent gold I bought up by accidently running to much current through it while testing the sleep current on a 5v / 6A power DC DC converter chip. Wonā€™t do that again :smile: Iā€™m trying to be extra careful with the new unit LOL

I would love to have one of theses one day to measure these uA currents but for now the uCurrent Gold will have to suffice :wink:

image.png1032Ɨ574 154 KB
Pasted image1032Ɨ574 154 KB

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#38

@BDub, i tried the short trick and itā€™s still measuring 1.65mA while remaining in mA and uA mode.

I also measured the voltage after the meter and gnd between the mA and uA setting and the uA setting voltage only dropped .08V from 4.06 to 3.98.

I also tried switching between mA and uA mode and this still measured the same. This did not cause an open circuit.

Would it make a difference if these were beta electrons?

I verified the same current using a different multimeter too.

#39

Hahaā€¦ probably :smile: Did you get production replacements for your beta units and now you are just trying to still use your betas?

#40

Iā€™m not sure that I got production replacements, is there any way to determine if this is a beta unit foresure?