Power Supply of PropBOE

Pridbor

Could someone please tell me how much power the PropBOE can provide?

I'm now running the 4D Display and the BOE module off the 2 USB cables
and would like to know if I can attach a second display both LCD-32PTU
to the breadboard without damaging the module.

Thanks

Preben

LoopyByteloose

Ummmm... USB cables have been problematic as some will handle a lot of power and others next to nothing. If you really want a stable power source to the Propeller, either a wall wart (at 7.5 VDC) or a battery pack (such as two 3.7V Lithium 18650 cells) are good choices. If you need to regulate those down to 5.0VDC and provide power through the USB connection, that can be done.

Parallax has mainly provided USB powered Propeller for the convience of downloading and testing programs. Once you start adding on devices that are power hungry, it becomes a slippery slope as USB really can only do so much.

I don't think you are likely to damage the module, but you may brown out. Most often, excessive high voltage or momentary reverse polarity are the sources of damage.

An LCD can run with relatively little demands on power IF you don't use the backlighting. The backlighting can be a real power hog.

The original USB specification was 500ma at 5VDC per port tops. But that has been much abused and now wall warts with a USB connector are touting 3000ma. Still, the cables remain unrated for 3000ma except in special products, so all sorts of weird outcomes are possible.

Pridbor

Thanks for your insight!

LoopyByteloose

You are welcome. I took a look at the PropellerBOE documentation. It does offer a wide range of power options --- USB power, 9VDC battery, and a barrel plug.

If you are really expanding into projects that need power, use the barrel plug to get the most out of the on-board regulators and power distribution.