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Re: Pi PICO W on batteries

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On 15/06/2026 20:54, Theo wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> On 15/06/2026 19:49, Brian Gregory wrote:
>>> On 14/06/2026 12:17, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> The process of debugging my remote oil level sensor continues. This is
>>>> based on a PICO W plus a nano timer to wake it up every couple of
>>>> hours to send a message via the home wifi.
>>> nano timer ??
>>>
>>> What's that then?
>>
>> TPL5100
>>
>> https://www.ti.com/product/TPL5110
> 
> It's disappointing that it's not available in a higher voltage version
> since, as you say, it needs to be directly connected to the battery.
> 
> I suppose one workaround would be to use a single lithium ion cell to give
> you down to 3V and then a boost converter which you only run when the
> CPU is operating.  Timer goes off, boost converter spins up to power your
> CPU at a stable 5V (or whatever), then CPU tells it shut off again once
> done.
> 
One workaround is to use 3 lithium primary batteries,.

> That's likely going to take more power than just running directly off
> battery, but the flipside is you can install several 18650 cells in parallel
> if you want to get more capacity.
> 
The primary lithium cells have more capacity. Better temperature 
response. Better discharge curve.

> The primary lithium AAs aren't a terrible option though, especially if you
> are more likely to be killed by self-discharge of the battery than by your
> own load.
> 
They are, having exhausted all other alternatives, by far and away the 
best option.
This design took nearly 3 years from idea to completion, and this is the 
optimal solution

The ultrasonics have no voltage regulation. Just very high voltages to 
drive them Over 20V. They fail if they don't get at least 3.9V input


> Theo

-- 
  “A leader is best When people barely know he exists. Of a good leader, 
who talks little,When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,They will say, 
“We did this ourselves.”

― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

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Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-14 12:17 +0100
  Re: Pi PICO W on batteries rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-06-14 17:48 +0000
    Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-15 12:31 +0100
      Re: Pi PICO W on batteries John R Walliker <jrwalliker@gmail.com> - 2026-06-15 13:04 +0100
        Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-15 13:17 +0100
      Re: Pi PICO W on batteries "Peter Heitzer" <peter.heitzer@rz.uni-regensburg.de> - 2026-06-15 12:06 +0000
        Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-15 13:19 +0100
          Re: Pi PICO W on batteries "Peter Heitzer" <peter.heitzer@rz.uni-regensburg.de> - 2026-06-15 13:58 +0000
            Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-15 16:52 +0100
    Re: Pi PICO W on batteries mm0fmf <none@invalid.com> - 2026-06-15 12:52 +0100
  Re: Pi PICO W on batteries Brian Gregory <void-invalid-dead-dontuse@email.invalid> - 2026-06-15 19:49 +0100
    Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-15 20:28 +0100
      Re: Pi PICO W on batteries Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2026-06-15 20:54 +0100
        Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-16 01:59 +0100
      Re: Pi PICO W on batteries Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> - 2026-06-24 09:33 +0300
        Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-24 09:58 +0100
        Re: Pi PICO W on batteries Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2026-06-24 13:41 +0100
          Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-24 13:53 +0100
          Re: Pi PICO W on batteries "Peter Heitzer" <peter.heitzer@rz.uni-regensburg.de> - 2026-06-24 14:51 +0000
            Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-24 16:41 +0100
              Re: Pi PICO W on batteries wmartin <wwm@wwmartin.net> - 2026-06-24 20:35 -0700
                Re: Pi PICO W on batteries John R Walliker <jrwalliker@gmail.com> - 2026-06-25 09:21 +0100
                Re: Pi PICO W on batteries The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-06-25 10:12 +0100

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