[Lab] So my EL wire board still resets (when using batteries)

[mnv_iii@hotmail.com]

Unfortunately, I don't own a Voltage meter, guess I'll wait for the next lab gathering to do more troubleshooting. 

Would someone be able to bring a few capacitators so I can breadboard them and see whether or bot that solves the problem? (If it does then I'm more than happy spending the money required to get this to work). 

One problem with adding more batteries is that my inverter (which is drawing its power from the board, although I may have to change that) is rated 3V and can in theory accept 2.7V-4.2V according to sparkfun.

Sent from my iAndroid

----- Reply message -----
From: "Richard Guy Briggs" <rgb at tricolour.net>
Date: Fri, Nov 4, 2011 12:33 am
Subject: [Lab] So my EL wire board still resets (when using batteries)
To: "Michael Ayukawa" <mike.ayukawa at gmail.com>
Cc: "Martin Villemaire" <mnv_iii at hotmail.com>, <lab at artengine.ca>


On Thu, Nov 03, 2011 at 07:49:28PM -0400, Michael Ayukawa wrote:
> Seems odd that you are getting a POR (power on reset) at 4.8V.  Well within the USB low voltage spec.
> Do you have a voltage meter?  Maybe you have a bad cell or a cold joint somewhere.  Older NiCd or NiMH can
> develop some dendritic micro-shorts.  Various ways of burning these out. Here is one way:
> http://hackaday.com/2008/11/27/zap-new-life-into-ni-cads/
> 
> Personally, I just used a generous overvoltage for a second.

Or some other brief current surge source...  I've seen video tutorials
suggesting using arc welders.  A friend in high school used to just use
an A/C power cord plugged into the wall.  These can be quite dangerous
if you don't fully understand what you are doing.

I built a jig with a 2000uF capacitor charged to 40V and put the battery
in a holder, then discharged the capacitor through the battery with a
10 amp pushbutton switch.  This is safe due to the secured battery,
enclosed switch and limited stored charge in the capacitor.


I think I would try Trevyn's decoupling capacitor tricks first.  I might
even try using an oscilloscope to see if you can catch a dip in the
power line that is the culprit...

> On 2011-11-03, at 6:10 PM, Martin Villemaire wrote:
> > I got home last night from the lab all excited to finally be able to light up my EL wire through my "el sequencer" board. However when I plugged my battery pack in instead of the USB, the board started resetting again. 
> > 
> > I am using 4x AA rechargeable batteries rated 1.2V/2000mAh, so in theory I am giving this 4.8V of power (I think the USB is giving it 5V?). The batteries are fully charged. 
> > 
> > Any idea what I would need to get the board to not reset when using batteries? 6x AA @ 1.2V? 8x? Or maybe my problem is something else entirely... argh...
> > 
> > Any help would be appreciated! 

	slainte mhath, RGB

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