I have reviewed the datasheet for the Notecarrier F and would like to confirm my understanding of the various power options. Here is what I think I understand, please let me know if this is correct.
If a USB connection via a micro-USB connection is made it will power the notecard and charge a LIPO battery if one is connected.
If a LIPO battery is not connected, then providing +/-5V to the V+ JST connection will power the notecard. A connection in this manner will alleviate (assuming a large enough PS) the possible issue of not enough current to make the cellular connection which may happen via the USB connector, correct?
If the notecard is being powered by connection to the V+ JST connection and if a LIPO battery is then added it will NOT be charged via the V+ connection., correct?
Because a USB connection takes up a lot of physical space when designing an enclosure if I snip the micro-USB end off and install a JST connector then it is possible to use and also charge a LIPO battery by connecting the LIPO battery to the VBAT terminal and the new JST connector to SOLAR, correct?
Please let me know also if there are any other relevant useful details to know. Thanks.
If a USB connection via a micro-USB connection is made it will power the notecard and charge a LIPO battery if one is connected.
Yes
If a LIPO battery is not connected, then providing +/-5V to the V+ JST connection will power the notecard. A connection in this manner will alleviate (assuming a large enough PS) the possible issue of not enough current to make the cellular connection which may happen via the USB connector, correct?
Yes
If the notecard is being powered by connection to the V+ JST connection and if a LIPO battery is then added it will NOT be charged via the V+ connection., correct?
Actually I think it would charge the lipo. Not positive though. I’ll try this myself tomorrow and get back with you.
Because a USB connection takes up a lot of physical space when designing an enclosure if I snip the micro-USB end off and install a JST connector then it is possible to use and also charge a LIPO battery by connecting the LIPO battery to the VBAT terminal and the new JST connector to SOLAR, correct?
Could you provide a little more context here? Why would you need a new JST connector for SOLAR instead of using the one already on the Notecarrier F?
If the notecard is being powered by connection to the V+ JST connection and if a LIPO battery is then added it will NOT be charged via the V+ connection., correct?
Actually I think it would charge the lipo. Not positive though. I’ll try this myself tomorrow and get back with you.
Okay. Looking at the datasheet, the “Battery Charger” portion does not appear to show a connection to the V+ and the reason for my question. It is connected via the Main Power Bus, but thru a diode which may block the ability to charge?
Because a USB connection takes up a lot of physical space when designing an enclosure if I snip the micro-USB end off and install a JST connector then it is possible to use and also charge a LIPO battery by connecting the LIPO battery to the VBAT terminal and the new JST connector to SOLAR, correct?
Could you provide a little more context here? Why would you need a new JST connector for SOLAR instead of using the one already on the Notecarrier F?
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The SOLAR connection on the card would be used. What I am saying is to cut the end off of a micro-USB cable and add a JST connector to it and then plug it into the SOLAR plug on the notecard. This allows me to use mains power thru a USB cable to charge the battery without the bulky connection of attaching the cable to the USB port. I want to do this because I don’t think the V+ connection charges the battery.
I drained a lipo yesterday, and today connected it to VBAT while supplying 5V to V+ for an hour or two. The Notecard ran fine for that 1–2 hours, but when I pulled the power nothing ran, which would imply that you’re correct, and that V+ is not charging the lipo.
The SOLAR connection on the card would be used. What I am saying is to cut the end off of a micro-USB cable and add a JST connector to it and then plug it into the SOLAR plug on the notecard. This allows me to use mains power thru a USB cable to charge the battery without the bulky connection of attaching the cable to the USB port. I want to do this because I don’t think the V+ connection charges the battery.
Ok thanks for the clarification. This makes more sense now, and I do think it will work. I’m going to ask some people internally to see if they have any other suggestions.
One other idea that came up is you could just power the device through the VSOLAR pin on the header rail directly, which might save you some complexity.
