# Any tips for a LiPo battery, charger and solar panel for an always-on node? **URL:** \ **Category:** End Devices (Nodes)\ **Created:** [July 23, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892 "2016-07-23T14:52:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2016, 10:41am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/61 "2016-08-06T10:41:28Z")
![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3b37785920acc874031f40b18b9ed5d62e21578c.jpg) ah there’s the sun, time to test [this](http://www.ebay.com/itm/331690021071?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) one on an empty 750 mA LiPo ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/5/50b2db1c14d30b99a40fc0cf7adf366a1f264e60.jpg) _indoor behind glass clouded day test 😉_ ---
**Author:** ![Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/oliv/32/33601_2.png) [@Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Oliv)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 7:57am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/62 "2016-08-07T07:57:47Z")
@BoRRoZ : Huge solar panels, what kind of power requirements do you have ? ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 8:05am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/63 "2016-08-07T08:05:24Z")
you think 6V - 2W - 330 mA = huge ? _I put this setup yesterday afternoon in the sun - it filled the LiPo during that time with 360 mA_ but I have some smaller panels coming soon 0.6W 6V 80 x 55mm - [http://www.ebay.com/itm/252428860741?\_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=551282775018&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT](http://www.ebay.com/itm/252428860741?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=551282775018&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) 1W 6V 110 x 60mm - [http://www.ebay.com/itm/252428860741?\_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=551282775017&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT](http://www.ebay.com/itm/252428860741?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=551282775017&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) 2W 6V 330mA 136 x 110mm - [http://www.ebay.com/itm/310765224123?\_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT](http://www.ebay.com/itm/310765224123?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) A small node with a very small solar panel looks nice, could work very well in certain countries with many sun hours, but during winters and a clouded weeks you’ll need a bigger battery and a bigger solar panel to charge it faster. All depending on how much ‘juice’ your node&sensors wants to consume of course. ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5243fa15e1776bda33cf09fe21582d165d2d8eb0.jpg) ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0ca21076d4a61ca9f2e16825ab8623111d0a9b26.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/oliv/32/33601_2.png) [@Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Oliv)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/64 "2016-08-07T20:53:45Z")
> [@BoRRoZ](#): > > you think 6V - 2W - 330 mA = huge ? It depends of your power requirement. An RFM95 transmitting data + ATmega328 is about 35 mA. About 1.5 second is required to transmit 10 bytes in SF12, 0.5 sec for the application. Data are send every 5 minutes, which gives 35_2/3600_12=0,233 mA/hour, I add 4 uA for standby power consumption. With 1000 mA, it can last 175 days. If the device is connected to TTN with fair policy restriction it will be a lot more. (times 12 ?) Of course this simple figure does not take into account self-discharge nor temperature factor but lot of modern uC are less hungry than the ATmega328, so I was just curious about your application 😛 Also, Charles spoke about ESP8266 which I don’t know very well the power consumption… The figures I used are from my sensor connected to solar panel, even if I still need to measure all of them. Also, I tinker around the solar panel yesterday and it seems that my boost converter is far from efficient ! I hope to have some time to characterize it after my vacations but connecting the solar panel directly to the TP4056 works where using the boost did not. By the way, I can’t wait to receive my CN3065 to improve the efficiency 😄 ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/65 "2016-08-07T22:28:53Z")
> [@Oliv](#): > > I can’t wait to receive my CN3065 to improve the efficiency 😄 they seemed to work very well 😋 ---
**Author:** ![Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/charles/32/45146_2.png) [@Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 11:59pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/66 "2016-08-11T23:59:06Z")
> [@Oliv](#): > > An RFM95 transmitting data + ATmega328 is about 35 mA @BoRRoZ, I think I missed one important information how consumption can be can be 35mA ? RFM95 datasheet says (several so not sure what the real value) One page =\> 120mA ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/6/6a1df4b187bb0066cd36168535f0e6f5106add94.png) Another One =\> 90mA ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8dfd45e0f32d9c06b7bd444a6f5de0e4e5422e13.png) If I understand what you’re writing, does this mean Lora never use PA\_BOOST? ---
**Author:** ![x893-00](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/x893-00/32/34472_2.png) [@x893-00](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/x893-00)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/67 "2016-08-12T00:17:28Z")
I use LTC3105 for solar controller (because need small device and panel ~ 40x15 mm) Real consumption for RF part ~ 80mA and small battery + supercap provide 2-3 seconds to transmitte. Device size ~ 35x20 mm with sensors, gps. ---
**Author:** ![Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/oliv/32/33601_2.png) [@Oliv](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Oliv)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:51am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/68 "2016-08-12T07:51:04Z")
@charles : True I made a mistake, but we should transmit at 14 dB max in EU, so around 30mA I assume. I will record it after my holydays, I only checked standby current to be sure that the module enters in sleep mode. @x893 : nice ! Did you post some data somewhere about them ? Which duty cycle ? I wanted to try a supercap only… ---
**Author:** ![Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/charles/32/45146_2.png) [@Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 8:53am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/69 "2016-08-12T08:53:36Z")
@Oliv oh yes 14dB max, that’s the trick, and so why it’s limited to ~30ma 😉 which in fact is perfect for me, got a node that can’t go over 90mA 😉 thanks for sharing ---
**Author:** ![ursm](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/ursm/32/46475_2.png) [@ursm](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/ursm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/70 "2016-08-13T17:10:54Z")
received the board and a little disapointement is, that the LiPo connector is 0.1" which is not standard for all my batteries I have. That should be corrected or at leased two solder holes added. I would also like 2 solder points/holes close to the micro-usb as input from the solar panel otherwise the board is of high quality! ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:11am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/71 "2016-08-18T07:11:52Z")
![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c542cdea5ec32868273489a754e868df7e03d384.jpg) still searching for the optimal combination for a small sensornode , and its a sunny day yeah !! ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/72 "2016-08-18T15:43:27Z")
![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/a/a8f4ebcb6b6eb9774d5d8f4b258a435de72e3f44.jpg) wow … an 18650 with a real capacity of more then 3100 mAh (_discharged for \> 3 hours @ 1 Ah to 3V_) one of the best i’ve seen : panasonic NCR 18650B (used in el. cigarettes) > **[1/2/4pcs Genuine Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh 3.7V Li-ion Rechargerable Battery ...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/361435705147?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)** > > Type: NCR18650B. Capacity: 3400mAh. As you choose. | eBay! - warning - these batteries are unprotected ---
**Author:** ![Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/charles/32/45146_2.png) [@Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:02am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/73 "2016-08-22T10:02:24Z")
Guys, I mounted [R-Divider breakout board](https://github.com/hallard/R-Divider-Breakout), time to get some code working, but ready to measure from any 3.3V CPU with I2C and no descent Analog input, ohh, did I say ESP8266 ? 😉 - Solar Voltage Panel - Battery Voltage - On Board Voltage Here are picture, as you can see, seems [PCBs.io](http://PCBs.io) silk is much better now, really close to OSHPark 😉 ![PCB](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/0/086f21ffd27f3c17473a093e3711dc23c9ead6f8.jpg) **Assembled** I’ve just put 1% 1M+1M Resistors and 100nF filtering, so we divide input voltage by 2 (so up to 6.6V input) ![Mounted](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/8/8e3b520fb2d9825092bdb591ad08b628070cbe88.jpg) **Assembled and stacked with ADS1115** ![Satcked](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/6/626b977f439bbc395bee97c8dc74a21d92ece3be.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:16am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/74 "2016-08-22T10:16:23Z")
I was looking at the [schematic](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hallard/R-Divider-Breakout/master/pictures/R-Divider-Breakout-sch.png) but couldn’t find the chip you use 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/charles/32/45146_2.png) [@Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 11:14am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/75 "2016-08-22T11:14:35Z")
@BoRRoZ It’s just a R-Divider (if you already have Analog input on device) and if not (like ESP8266) you can stack it with ADS1115 board (I2C 4 ADC inputs) like below. You can see github [readme](https://github.com/hallard/R-Divider-Breakout/blob/master/README.md) for more information ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/5/59d3a0b306139cf439d15a575cc7e42b1c066abf.jpg) You can find this ADS1115 board (new version smaller) on ebay for less than $3 > **[For Arduino ADS1115 Module 4 Channel 16 Bit I2C ADC With Pro Gain Amplifier |...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/ADS1115-Module-4-Channel-16-Bit-I2C-ADC-with-Pro-Gain-Amplifier-For-Arduino-New-/161932431995)** > > The ADS1115 provides 16-bit precision at 860 samples second over I2C. so you can have up to 4 ADS1115's connected on a single 2-wire I2C bus for 16 single ended inputs. 1PCS 16 Bit I2C 4 Channel ADS1115 Module ADC with Pro Gain Amplifier For Arduino... ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/76 "2016-08-22T12:05:28Z")
ah ok tnx 🕶 ![](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5dfd4689c38b255d01d2070c42965dec60977e76.jpg) _and you know… not all LiPo’s are equal - never believe what’s printed on them_ ---
**Author:** ![Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/charles/32/45146_2.png) [@Charles](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/77 "2016-08-22T17:18:10Z")
Hey, yeah I know that, how do you find the real value, you count time to fully charged to discharge at specific AMP ? ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/78 "2016-08-22T17:47:27Z")
yes , I have 2 possibillities, the Maynuo [M9812](http://www.maynuo.eu/power-supply/m98-series-dc-led-load/m9812-150v-30a-300w/m9812-0-150v-0-30a-300w.html) electronic load and the [Turnigy Accucell 6](http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/ __64345__ Turnigy_Accucel_6_80W_10A_Balancer_Charger_LiHV_Capable.html) The Maynuo have a special battery testfunction and can, when connected to PC spit out information/graphs You set the end voltage (normal between 2.75 and 3.2 V depends on the buildin protection circuit/datasheet) and you set the discharge current (between 0.2 and 1 C) then push start and go do the dishes/do some shopping and when [reached](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/71) the end voltage it stops discharging and give you the mAh. what I really need is a logging power tool… like Ladyada _have been busy finding a [diy solution](https://phidgets.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/how-to-measure-very-small-currents-without-current-sensors/)_ ---
**Author:** ![TijnOnlijn](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/tijnonlijn/32/27494_2.png) [@TijnOnlijn](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/TijnOnlijn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/79 "2016-08-22T17:58:15Z")
just curious, did you ever measure the cheap ‘action’ 2000mah AA powerbase batteries? ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892/80 "2016-08-22T18:00:12Z")
no, have been testing chinese Ultrafires … that’s really crap [Previous page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892.md?page=3) [Next page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/any-tips-for-a-lipo-battery-charger-and-solar-panel-for-an-always-on-node/2892.md?page=5)