Hello Hardware experts, I’m planing to build a (LiPo) battery powered ultrasonic sensor project controlled by one of my Photons. The challenge here is, the ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04) requires 5 volts. I testet it with an USB powered Photon which work fine. But the final project will have the Pho…

1&2) The chip used in that sparkfun product have a enable pin, but its not broken out, if you can get access to it with some soldering/custom board, you can get the best of both options. Connecting it directly to a pin may work, but it may also draw too much current when starting up, someone else m…

@mhdevx , you could also consider these Pololu SMPS units which have “shutdown” pins: [image] Pololu 5V Step-Up Voltage Regulator U1V11F5 This compact (0.45″×0.6″) U1V11F5 switching step-up (or boost) voltage regulator efficiently generates 5 V from input voltages as low as 0.5 V. Unlike …

Thx. I just found https://www.wirelessthings.net/powerpod-ncp1402-5v0 which looks very similar to https://www.pololu.com/product/2562 .

@mhdevx , the Photon can peak at 140-150ma when connecting to wifi. You may want to consider a supply which can provide more current and operate within its high efficiency range. This is why I recommended the Pololu devices. The board you found can only supply 120ma and only has a voltage input ra…

Thx @peekay123 I will go for the Pololu. And it is even cheaper then the PowerPOD :wink:

Hi @mhdevx , Did you end up connecting the pololu step-up converter to the Vout of the photon? I want to do a similar thing using the sparkfun battery shield but need to power a micro servo.

@stoobee , the boost converter goes to Vin (5V) of the Photon! It needs to be powered directly from the battery or batteries due to the current limitation of the Photon’s regulator. I believe this is how @mhdevx did it. :grinning:

@stoobee , @peekay123 I use a Sparkfun battery shield as well. As @peekay123 describes I only use the converter to power the ultrasonic sensor.

@mhdevx , has that setup been working for you? I’ve been trying the same setup with the pololu circuit powering just the sensor, and I’m getting a huge drop in the max range of the sensor, as well as some weird readings even within the range.

Using a 5V sensor with battery powered Photon

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Using a 5V sensor with battery powered Photon

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