[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 I’ve been also trying to get a bare electron to the uA level during sleep but I’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. I'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 100’s of mA, you may be trying to power the Electron while measuring uA’s. That won’t give the electron enough power to turn on and correctly process the shutdown commands. If you think that’s the problem, you can try this:

  1. A precise meter with low burden voltage is required
  2. measure uA’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, I’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.

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

32

Hard to say if that meter is quality… it’s not too cheap :slight_smile: but there’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 it’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 it’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

I’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 (there’s a few projects going on currently)… so I got lazy about doing it.

Here it is!

uCurrent.jpg3024×4032 1.93 MB

1 Like
36

It doesn't spec the burden voltage, but I'm thinking it could measure it... try the short circuit trick. You can also start in mA or A mode, and switch down to uA mode. I'd just be worried if it opened any contacts while doing that (it doesn'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. You'll know right away if you have a burden voltage problem if the voltage drops to like 1-2V.

Here's a nice article on the uCurrent and more than you'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. Won’t do that again :smile: I’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.png1032×574 154 KB
Pasted image1032×574 154 KB

1 Like
38

@BDub, i tried the short trick and it’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

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

40

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