Increasing run-time

polbit · October 18, 2023, 1:04pm

I have ordered both CM4 and R-01 versions to play with. One thing I would like to explore is getting more than 5 hours of runtime out of it. Has anyone connected a larger pack, etc.?

Also, what is the difference in runtime between the two, assuming mostly development (no games, heavy graphics, etc.)

DeRock25 · October 18, 2023, 2:31pm

I dunno about the rest of it… since I don’t even have mine to test with yet… But I I am certain… The #1 factor is getting a great battery to put in… Samsung 35e… or Sony vtc5a? Lg mj1?.. many batteries are super overrated …

markatlnk · October 18, 2023, 2:35pm

I had some that claimed 6,000 mAh, but I also have a tester. They actually came in between 600 and 800 mAh. The other instantly noticeable thing was they were so light. Good cells from known good sources weigh way more.

MHam68HC11 · October 18, 2023, 2:40pm

there is a great thread on the DevTerm on battery choice - I have ~2800 mah batteries from the battery store - they have lasted more than two years but they do have a life on the devterm (without printing) of only ~4 hours (depending on back light) … but since I have a way to recharge it’s not an issue . I used the DevTerm to ssh a linux laptop during an event I supported as a volunteer. I may have used it for several hours…

ehm.education · October 18, 2023, 7:00pm

I have the CM4 uConsole with two Samsung 35E cells (so 7Ah * 3.7V makes well above 25Wh) and when I put the governor to powersaving and reduce the backlight brightness, the litte machine runs fricking forever.

USFrozen · October 18, 2023, 8:47pm

There have been counterfeit cells where they pack the center full of plastic wrapped sand, so weight isnt a great measure for quality either.

polbit · October 18, 2023, 9:07pm

Can you describe freaking forever with a number? I am really looking for something to code on without access to an outlet for extended periods. If I could bring few of extra sets of batteries and be able to use it for 25-30 hours total, that would be ideal.

DeRock25 · October 19, 2023, 1:47am

these values are already graphed very well in this post.

github.com

SuSonicTH/uConsole/blob/master/power/README.md

# uConsole Power usage

I ran some stastistics to see how backlight level, wifi, bluetooth and over/underclocking affect the power usage and projected runtime of my uconsole with the raspberry pi CM4 module.

Below you'll find an overview of the benchmarks I ran. In the stats subdirectory you'll find all the raw data taken. All data with graphs are also available in [Google Docs](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pOxwXdjOGgtJILX_jXlkyKt9TFnzl48nyjTw3aHt3zE/edit?usp=sharing)

*WARNING:*
*I'm not a statistics guy and this is the first time that I'm doing some detailed power usage benchmarks (other then eyball them) so take the numbers with a grain of salt*

And if you find any problem in my methology, calculation or graphs please tell me.

## Backlight
The display/backlight is, as for all mobile devices, the most power hungry component. If you want your uConsole to last long, turn down the backlight as much as possible.

To mesure the power draw I ran the uConStat tool for 1 minute with wifi and bluetooth off in idle on all 10 levels.


| backlight | median Watt | runtime with 6000mah |
| --------- | ----------- | -------------------- |
| 0         | 1.944       | 11.418               |

This file has been truncated. show original

so… with a set of samsung 30Q’s you will get this graph… or better…

get yourself a set of samsing 35E’s and you will get even better!

ehm.education · October 19, 2023, 5:24pm

I would advise against bringing extra batteries, since they are more difficult to swap than they were on the DevTerm (I own both devices). While on the DevTerm I have hot swapped 18650s, I am using an external power bank for the uConsole.

MiDri · October 19, 2023, 7:50pm

It should not be hard to switch out the 18650 holder on the battery board with a 21700 holder, you’ll get about 40-80% more battery life, depending on the 21700 you use.

Sans the size change 21700 are drop in replacements for 18650 from a circuitry stand point. Same voltage, just much higher capacity. (Charging circuit uses voltage to measure capacity, so uConsole will have no issue charging them to full.)

polbit · October 19, 2023, 8:14pm

Looks like 3,500 mAH to 5,000mAH, but longer by 5mm and wider by 3mm. Hmm, definitely something to look at, once I get my uConsoles. Thanks!

MHam68HC11 · October 20, 2023, 2:02pm

I have the DevTerm in the field I have a power box with USB out - I use that to keep the DevTerm charged while in heavy use. (Power box is 12 volt battery - lipo4fe - has usb , 12 volt, anderson power poles…)