Hello all,
I have realised the deepsleep in the Pico isn't sufficient to get a battery operated Pico running for more than a few days or maybe a week or two (I am hoping for months). So I bought a TPL5110 (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3435) to solve the problem. I have had loads of problems getting it working, as it seems really twitchy to being manhandled on a breadboard (just look at the DONE pin and it thinks your done and powers off!) I have had other issues, some due to my lack of knowledge for sure, but even now I am struggling to get it to power the Pico...
If I connect up an array of LEDs it works fine, even with a one or two hundred milliamps (i.e. more than the Pico needs (unless there are spikes of course?)). But as soon as I connect up the Pico it stops working (you can just about see the status LED flickering several times a second). But if I put a multi-meter in the way, to measure the current, it starts working?! Could there be a capacitor in the meter that is helping? I have seen mentions of putting a capacitor across the power supply for a Pico being a good idea, but other than a cavalier sounding "you don't really need it, but I put a XXXuF capacitor across the power supply anyway" and statements like "put it as close to the Pico as possible" I can't see any firm guidance on if I need this, if it will help my issue, and how I would know what capacitance I need (presumably a 6V would be fine)?
Can anyone confirm what it best to do here, and why?
Thanks.
I have realised the deepsleep in the Pico isn't sufficient to get a battery operated Pico running for more than a few days or maybe a week or two (I am hoping for months). So I bought a TPL5110 (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3435) to solve the problem. I have had loads of problems getting it working, as it seems really twitchy to being manhandled on a breadboard (just look at the DONE pin and it thinks your done and powers off!) I have had other issues, some due to my lack of knowledge for sure, but even now I am struggling to get it to power the Pico...
If I connect up an array of LEDs it works fine, even with a one or two hundred milliamps (i.e. more than the Pico needs (unless there are spikes of course?)). But as soon as I connect up the Pico it stops working (you can just about see the status LED flickering several times a second). But if I put a multi-meter in the way, to measure the current, it starts working?! Could there be a capacitor in the meter that is helping? I have seen mentions of putting a capacitor across the power supply for a Pico being a good idea, but other than a cavalier sounding "you don't really need it, but I put a XXXuF capacitor across the power supply anyway" and statements like "put it as close to the Pico as possible" I can't see any firm guidance on if I need this, if it will help my issue, and how I would know what capacitance I need (presumably a 6V would be fine)?
Can anyone confirm what it best to do here, and why?
Thanks.
Statistics: Posted by HeMan321 — Sun Jan 19, 2025 2:56 pm — Replies 2 — Views 81