ArduinoGeneral

wifi shield power doubt temperature too high

userHead nestor 2013-04-29 23:52:15 5114 Views4 Replies
I'm using the first [b]wifi shield version SKU:TEL0019[/b] ([url=http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/WiFi_Shield_For_Arduino_(SKU:TEL0019]http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/WiFi_Shield_For_Arduino_(SKU:TEL0019[/url]) with a [b]Romeo V2[/b] board ([url=http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=romeo&product_id=844#.UX4gf7VhgVc]http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=romeo&product_id=844#.UX4gf7VhgVc[/url])

The only option to power the wifi shield is using the VIN pin so with the romeo V2 you can use the motor power connector to supply power to motors and boards or the VIN pin to power the boards.

I'm using this battery [url=http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/g1-xp8000/]http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/g1-xp8000/[/url] and I use the 12v 3 .000 mA power output to power my system.

My problem or concern is the wifi shield voltage regulator and the wifi chip temperature is very high when you use the system for more than 10 minutes.

I have tried several voltage configuration:

1- Reducing the battery voltage (12V, 3.000 mA) with the power shield ([img]) to 7,4v and power all the system (motors and boards) using the motor power in of the Romeo

2- Power motor with 12V directly and for the Romeo board and its shields use a voltage regulator to reduce the voltage to 5,20V. Use the Vin Pin of the wifi shield to power the romeo and the shield.


In both configurations, the temperature of the wifi shield voltage regulator is very high and also for the wifi shield.

I want to have this system on 24h per day so I'm very worry about the wifi shield temperature.

Could you tell me which is the better opcion to power the wifi shield?
Is it possible to damage it due to the voltage regulator temperature?

Thank you very much in advance

Nestor




2013-05-14 05:30:39 Hi Jose,

Thank you very much :)

No, it hasn't infrared sensors to avoid falling down stairs, there are no stairs in my flat so... falling sensors are not necessary. in any case... it would be very easy to add them if they were necessary.

There are too many things to improve on it, (code, sensor location, IMU calibration, etc) but I want to have the main features running before going to debug these things :)

The camera is one of the most important sensor, I'm using [url=http://www.roborealm.com]www.roborealm.com[/url] software with the module AVM [url=http://www.roborealm.com/help/AVM_Navigator.php]http://www.roborealm.com/help/AVM_Navigator.php[/url] .

The target is having at least 2 modes, manual and autonomous. using the manual mode I will control the robot using a web interface and the autonomous mode the robot will go throught the different rooms and taking images or video. 
Also I will program a routine to go to the charger base when the robot will be with low battery.
All of these I want to do it with the roborealm software.

As you can see.... I will need too many enjoyable hours before finishing it :)

All the best
Nestor


userHeadPic nestor
2013-05-14 05:14:16 Hi Nestor,

Wow, that is looking pretty cool.
Do you have sensors on the bottom to avoid falling down the stairs? that's a fail for me.. What are you planning to do with the camera? That looks fun, is it for driving it remotely?

Best,
Jose
userHeadPic Jose
2013-05-10 13:08:47 Hi Jose,

First of all, thank you very much for your answer.

I will only use the robot in indoor environments and the voltage provided is 5,20 v so... as you said there wuld be any problem with the temperature.
In any case, I have put a heatsink on the voltage regulator and also on the wifi module.... just in case....
In the future I want to put all the electronic inside a plastic case or inside a custom acrylic box (maybe using the ponoko laser cur service) and I'm also thinking putting a fan to extract the hot air when the temperature gets high inside the enclousure.

I have attached a couple of images to show you the "prototype". Now I'm working in the program which send the command by wifi. I use roborealm to do it.

Many thanks for your answer :)
Best regards

Nestor
userHeadPic nestor
2013-05-03 21:45:09 Hi Nestor,

I believe under normal atmospheric circumstances, like indoors, temperature won't damage the board. Are you planning on using it outdoors? It's probably not a good idea if its heated up by the sun.

12V should should be alright (it won't be damage the shield due temperature), there will be probably more power consumption,  the newer wifi shield will give you better solution for this case.

Best,
Jose

userHeadPic Jose