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Arduino Forum Getting rid of batteries... simple question but what is the best way ?
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Related

Getting rid of batteries... simple question but what is the best way ?

redgreenblue
redgreenblue over 8 years ago

Hi Guys !

 

I have 4 door sensors with an arduino to have a simple sound trigger but also calculated how much peoples are getting by (helping a small museum in town).  I'll skip the details but the thing is I need to make theses connected to DC to avoid batteries changes (staff too busy). I figure the simple way to do it is using the arduino voltage out to the sensors.

 

I find this simple question complicated becuz I wonder if the current drain from the arduino will be enough for 4 sensors, so does capacitor might do the trick or if this is not the way to do it, I wonder if the AMP from the power supply should be higher ?

 

My calculation are that each sensor need 2x 1.5 volt batteries so it's approx. 3 volt @ 500mA

But I've tried the arduino output and 3.3volt does the trick, very good with one device.

 

Here a quick diagram of the setup.

If there is an expert in the room, stand up !

 

thank for your support

Element 14 is GREAT !!

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  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 8 years ago +2 suggested
    Hi, Can you give us a little more information on your sensors? The 500 mA seems awful high for a simple sensor. Do these devices light, ring or buzz? Are they being used as inputs to the Arduino. The 3…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 8 years ago in reply to redgreenblue +1 suggested
    Hi redgreenblue, Without knowing more details I would bring power from a separate 3 volt power supply and not try to use the 3.3 volts available on the Arduino. You could do this by having a separate wall…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 8 years ago in reply to redgreenblue +1 suggested
    Hi, Units that have 2 AA batteries for a power source will likely be designed to operate on much lower current draw than 500 mA. If not you would be replacing the batteries daily. AA batteries can deliver…
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  • redgreenblue
    0 redgreenblue over 8 years ago

    Hey John, it worked, I'm happy to have discover something very usefull, the only thing is that I don't have mA option on my multimeter (not sure on drawing if this is what you meant),

     

    so I put it to 10A which was anyway the only one I got a reading.

    It gave me 0.01, so does this mean I need to X10 times becuz it was on 10A selection...

    in other words it might be 0.100 mA if this is the right way to do this... ?

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  • dougw
    0 dougw over 8 years ago in reply to redgreenblue

    .01 would be .01 A or 10mA on the 10A scale.

    You also need to measure when the door is open and alarm is active.

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  • dougw
    0 dougw over 8 years ago in reply to redgreenblue

    .01 would be .01 A or 10mA on the 10A scale.

    You also need to measure when the door is open and alarm is active.

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