Print Page - Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep sketchs [SOLVED]

Title: Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep sketchs [SOLVED]
Post by: mlgibbons on January 09, 2017, 05:41:29 AM

Hi
Having used JeeNodes for quite some time and seen very low power consumption I needed something smaller and so have just taken delivery of some Moteinos but am seeing rather high power consumption on them.

Just using the example sketch (DeepSleep_usingLowPowerLibrary) I am seeing 1.1ma during sleep which is obviously way, way too high. Interestingly when using the DeepSleep sketch I'm seeing 4.7ma.

I've now tried a few of the boards (some with SPI and some without) and see this on all of them. I'm wondering if anyone would have any ideas about the cause of this?

FYI - The IDE I'm using is Arduino 1.8 and the Moteino (RFM69W - 868/915Mhz) is powered by a FTDI device with 5V output (although the target is 3AA).

Thanks
Mark

Title: Re: Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep (LowPowerLab) sketch
Post by: mlgibbons on January 09, 2017, 08:31:42 AM

After further investigation it would appear that the cause of this excessive current draw is the serial interface.

If I disconnect the DTR, RX and TX leads between the FTDI and Moteino while measuring the current I see what I would expect i.e. around 10 ua. The current drops to 100ua when removing the DTR and RX with removal of the TX reducing it to the final 10ua.

I'd be interested to know why this would be the case of anyone happens to know?

Thanks. Mark.

Title: Re: Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep sketchs [SOLVED]
Post by: Felix on January 09, 2017, 02:55:09 PM

Mark,
Do you not see the same behavior with a Jeenode?
(with same wiring and serial connected)

Title: Re: Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep sketchs [SOLVED]
Post by: emjay on January 09, 2017, 05:43:35 PM

Does your FTDI device have an option for 3.3v logic levels?

Title: Re: Out of box high power usage (4.7ma & 1.1ma) for deep sleep sketchs [SOLVED]
Post by: sparky on January 09, 2017, 05:58:39 PM

Quote from: emjay on January 09, 2017, 05:43:35 PM
Does your FTDI device have an option for 3.3v logic levels?

Yes;

Edit: See blog https://lowpowerlab.com/2013/05/22/ftdi-adapter/

LowPowerLab Forum

Hardware support => Moteino => Topic started by: mlgibbons on January 09, 2017, 05:41:29 AM