T Embed Lilygo Battery Voltage

Caroline Mae

2 min read

·

01-01-2025

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Embedding the battery voltage reading into your LilyGo projects can significantly enhance functionality and user experience. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to seamlessly integrate this feature, focusing on practicality and clear explanations.

Understanding the Necessity

Knowing the battery voltage is crucial for several reasons:

• Power Management: Monitoring battery voltage allows for proactive power management. Your device can alert the user of low battery or automatically enter a low-power mode to extend runtime.

• User Experience: Displaying the remaining battery life provides crucial information to the user, preventing unexpected shutdowns.

• Data Logging: Recording battery voltage alongside other sensor data provides valuable insights into power consumption patterns during operation.

Hardware Considerations

Before diving into the code, ensure you have the necessary hardware components:

• LilyGo Board: The specific model will influence the ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) pin used for voltage measurement. Consult your board's documentation for this information.

• Battery: The type of battery used will affect the voltage range. Lithium-ion batteries typically operate within a 3.0V-4.2V range.

• Voltage Divider (Often Necessary): The LilyGo's ADC input usually has a limited voltage range (often 0-3.3V). If your battery voltage exceeds this range, a voltage divider circuit is required to scale down the voltage to a safe level.

Software Implementation

The software implementation involves reading the ADC value and converting it to a voltage reading. This usually requires a simple formula based on the voltage divider (if used) and the ADC's reference voltage.

Here's a conceptual example using the Arduino IDE:

// Define ADC pin and voltage divider resistor values (if applicable)
const int adcPin = A0;
const float resistor1 = 10000; // Resistor value 1 in ohms
const float resistor2 = 10000; // Resistor value 2 in ohms

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  // Read ADC value
  int adcValue = analogRead(adcPin);

  // Calculate battery voltage (adjust based on your voltage divider and reference voltage)
  float batteryVoltage = adcValue * 3.3 / 4095 * (resistor1 + resistor2) / resistor2;

  // Print battery voltage to serial monitor
  Serial.print("Battery Voltage: ");
  Serial.println(batteryVoltage);
  delay(1000);
}

Important Note: This code is a simplified example. The specific calculations will depend on your hardware configuration. Carefully review your LilyGo board's documentation and the characteristics of your voltage divider (if used) to ensure accurate voltage readings.

Advanced Techniques

• Calibration: Calibrating the voltage reading with a known accurate voltage source is highly recommended to improve accuracy.

• Low-Power Modes: Integrate the battery voltage reading with low-power modes to conserve energy.

• Display Integration: Display the battery voltage on an LCD or OLED screen for a user-friendly interface.

By following these steps and adapting the code to your specific hardware and software setup, you can successfully embed LilyGo battery voltage monitoring into your projects, enhancing functionality and user experience. Remember to always prioritize safety and consult relevant datasheets for accurate component specifications.