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SparkFun Blocks for Intel® Edison - Battery
Block
Introduction
The Battery Block is a simple way to power an Intel Edison stack. With a
400mah Lithium Polymer battery we have seen run rates of over an hour.
Depending on your configuration you may see more or less run time. The
Battery Block also provides a Micro USB port that can power the stack
while re-charging the battery. If you need more battery life, it is possible to
gently peel the battery off, de-solder the wires, and replace it with a larger
cell. If you remove the battery, it is also possible to expose the expansion
header to continue stacking blocks. It may be necessary to find an
alternative mounting point for your battery in this case.
Battery Block
Suggested Reading
If you are unfamiliar with Blocks, take a look at the General Guide to
Sparkfun Blocks for Intel Edison.
Other tutorials that may help you on your Edison adventure include:
• Powering Your Project
• Battery Technologies
• Connector Basics
Board Overview
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Battery Block Functional Diagram TOP
• USB Micro B - Provides power to the stack and the ability to recharge
the battery
• Power Switch - Removes all power from the stack other power
supplies may still power the stack
• Power LED - Illuminated when power is available on VSYS line; This
may illuminate if another block supplies power
• Power LED Jumper - If power consumption is an issue, cut the
jumper to disable LED
• Charge LED - LED is illuminated while charging; LED is off if no
charge power is present or charge is complete
• Expansion Header - The 70-pin Expansion header breaks out the
functionality of the Intel Edison. This header also passes signals and
power throughout the stack. These function much like an Arduino
Shield.
Using the Battery Block
The Battery Block is very simple to use. You can mount the Edison module
securely using our Hardware Pack.
Note: It may be necessary to gently
remove the battery to allow clearance for screws. It’s only necessary to do
this if the Battery Block is the
only
Block in a stack.
Battery Block Installed
We have a nice Hardware Pack available that gives enough hardware to
secure three blocks and an Edison.
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Intel Edison Hardware Pack
The power switch connects power to the stack. When off, the battery is
disconnected from the stack but is still capable of charging. You can charge
the battery while the switch is on. Can’t get much simpler than that!
Using the Battery Block with the Base
Block
We tried to think of all the potential conflicts that can come from mixing and
matching blocks. There was one we could not avoid. While stacking the
Battery Block and the Base Block there is a potential short that can occur.
The battery connections were made directly above where the Micro USB
connector sits on the Base Block.
The simplest way to remedy this would be to re-order the stack of Blocks to
put one more Block in between. If that’s not possible, all is not lost. With a
little electrical tape or Kapton tape, you can apply a small piece to the top of
the USB connector. This will prevent the connector from coming in contact
with the two battery connections. Kapton tape is the preferred method
because of its higher temperature resistance and durability.
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Kapton Tape Installed
With that simple modification you are safe and ready to create the next
great thing!
Resources and Going Further
Now that you have had a brief overview of the Battery Block, take a look at
some of these other tutorials. These tutorials cover programming, Block
stacking, and interfacing with the Intel Edison ecosystems.
Edison General Topics:
• General Guide to Sparkfun Blocks for Intel Edison
• Edison Getting Started Guide
• Loading Debian (Ubilinix) on the Edison
Block Specific Topics:
• Battery Technologies
• Battery Block Github Repo
Check out these other Edison related tutorials from SparkFun:
SparkFun Blocks for Intel®
Edison - 9 Degrees of
Freedom Block
A quick overview of the features of
the 9 Degrees of Freedom Block.
SparkFun Blocks for Intel®
Edison - GPIO Block
A quick overview of the features of
the GPIO Block.
Programming the Intel®
Edison: Beyond the Arduino
IDE
General Guide to SparkFun
Blocks for Intel® Edison
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Intel's Edison module goes beyond
being just another Arduino clone.
Check this tutorial for advice on how
to get the most out of your Edison
by writing code in C++!
A general guide for using SparkFun
Blocks for Intel® Edison in your next
project!
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sparkfun-blocks-for-intel-edison---battery-block?_ga=...
10/9/2015
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