Hi All,
Before I do anything serious with the BrickPi, I am testing how long a battery pack of 8x AA lasts when running a fresh install of Dexter Industries’ Linux image, doing nothing.
My first take of the experiment is depressing and I thought it would be interesting to share, and perhaps find out about your measurements. Add your lines below!
G.
Since you are using 1300 mAh cells, they are the “weakest link” so-to-speak.
1300 mAh / 3 hours = 433ma. The RPi model A is rated for 300-500ma, and model B is rated for 700ma. The WiFi dongle will certainly add to the current draw.
3 hours is about what I’d expect if you’re using a RPi model A, but if you’re using as RPi model B, I’d expect about 2 hours.
If you use 2000mAh cells, I’d expect roughly 5 hours with model A, or 3 hours with model B.
My time-frames are estimates, and certainly subject to RPi processing load, WiFi Dongle load, etc.
Great matallen37, so my measurement is actually normal. I don’t know why I expected more when not using any motors or sensors.
It looks to me then that even a good set of batteries won’t last long after I actually built something with the BrickPi using motors etc…
I wonder if it is worth it at all to invest in good capacity batteries or I should rather look for a mains power supply, as you have been discussing at http://www.dexterindustries.com/forum/?topic=power-requirements .
Another interesting question is how come the BrickPi comes with 9V clip, when almost no mains power supplies come with one!!!
G.