G+_James Hughes Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 I could use some help. I'm putting together a device with 12 volt led strips, a sainsmart 7 inch touch screen and a raspberry pi. I would like it to run off a couple of 12 volt lipo batteries for the lights and touch screen, and step down to 5 volts for the pi. What would you suggest, I'm not an electrician but have an idea of how things work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Try: http://tinyurl.com/q3mv9bj or http://tinyurl.com/qcvsuo2 Stay away from the linear regulator (78xx and the like based); poor efficiency (for battery operation) (Though for audio and analog systems, linear gives a much cleaner power) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 Thanks Eddie, any suggestions for the batteries? I want a long run time so thinking about two batteries in parallel. Charging is also a concern because they will be enclosed (with ventilation of course ). Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Well, if you are doing the quad thing, your set. (maybe) You haven't given a lot of info. Run time? With LEDs on? With screen fully on, in sleep mode, etc. Overall application/use, programs running on the Pi, Pi peripherals. LiPos are nice but depending on application SLA or even NiCad/NiMH might be a better solution (NiMH are safe to just toss in the regular garbage when they wear out) But with an rechargeable battery make sure you have a low voltage cut off. Draining a battery to 0 (ish) will kill it fast) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 I'm building a photo booth. I need batteries that are less than 2" wide to fit in the enclosure, even thinner would be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 LiPo is general use. Just about everything rechargeable these days is LiPo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 I was looking for a deep cycle battery that would give me enough juice to run the booth for 6 to 8 hours (7 inch touch screen, raspberry pi, and a reel of sm LEDs ) and I would like the option to run it plugged in. Would it be possible to do this without having to switch between the two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Wayne Hobbins? thanks for the tip on the batteries. I read quite a few bad reviews so I'm not sure if that's the route I will be taking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Wayne Hobbins I don't have a size limit of two, just thought that putting them in series would give me more run time. One thing I'm also considering is charging cycles (how many times you can recharge them) of the batteries. Which kinds of batteries can be recharged more? I've heard that Li-ion are somewhere around 500. Also, you mentioned some kind of a circuit that would prevent the batteries from being drained too low and or over charged. That is definitely something that I want to include. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 4, 2015 Author Share Posted November 4, 2015 Wayne Hobbins The dimensions of the booth are going to be about 11" x 17" x 2" the compartment that the batteries will be in is approximately 10" x 6" x 1.75". I might be making more than one so I would like to have some repeatability in the design. So for that reason I'm going to stay away from hacking an old cordless power tool (cool idea though). Is there a circuit that I can buy and install to limit the discharge? I think that Lipo batteries might be what I need because of their low weight to power ratio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_James Hughes Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 Wayne Hobbins I think I may have found what I need. How about using a solar charge regulator similar to this one? http://www.amazon.com/TOOGOO-Controller-Battery-Regulator-Protection/dp/B00J2N2BYE/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1446817638&sr=1-5&keywords=12v+charge+regulator I got the idea because I'm making a solar setup for camping and bought something similar at harbor freight. It has a charge regulator and discharge protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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