Topic: GW1000/1100 UPS question using a Pi UPS (dual 18650 based)

[Rover1822]

Has anyone used a unit such as this ,

https://smile.amazon.com/MakerHawk-Raspberry-Uninterruptible-Management-Expansion/dp/B082CVWH3R/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=K8n9N&pf_rd_p=bbb6bbd8-d236-47cb-b42f-734cb0cacc1f&pf_rd_r=3PZ2HHNFS969WK7MNNDY&pd_rd_r=4f97e883-2bbb-4c31-9024-c6ba2e9c73bf&pd_rd_wg=xDeM1&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi&th=1

I know that link won't last forever , but it is basically a 2 18650 battery UPS unit that has a 5Volt output. I imagine using this when I can't connect to other UPS units I have. To me, it looks like a cheaper option than others out there. Be for brief outages to maintain those values that are volatile within the GW1000/1100 . I know it was meant for a Pi, but I don't think that matters, only the output does.

For reference on how I use a solar powered system. Solar --> charge controller --> cheap deep cell lead acid --> Camera, and a motion activated light, and also a small monitoring board that uses a WiFi XBee to measure status. This is the graph, that I generate a view so I can see how everything is doing on the power side, problems with the battery, solar, and loads.

https://rovr1.com/wind/todayshed.gif

that updates once a minute

[BoDuke]

I know reviews are not necessarily objective but that particular board doesn't appear to get the best reviews.  I have looked for 5V and 12V uninterruptible power supplies but never found anything that had a sufficient quality/value ratio to buy.

Since it is not healthy for lithium ion batteries to be kept fully charged continuously, I wish there was a UPS that performed regular, monitored discharging and charging.  Or a UPS that used NiMH rechargeable batteries and used a similar circuit to monitor and trickle charge the batteries.  Reading about 5V UBECs makes me hopeful that someone would make such devices but I haven't found anything yet.

I reluctantly just use a line-voltage UPS with the typical sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries since I don't have the knowledge or skills to build a better one.

[gszlag]

Has anyone used a unit such as this ,

https://smile.amazon.com/MakerHawk-Raspberry-Uninterruptible-Management-Expansion/dp/B082CVWH3R/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=K8n9N&pf_rd_p=bbb6bbd8-d236-47cb-b42f-734cb0cacc1f&pf_rd_r=3PZ2HHNFS969WK7MNNDY&pd_rd_r=4f97e883-2bbb-4c31-9024-c6ba2e9c73bf&pd_rd_wg=xDeM1&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mi&th=1

I know that link won't last forever , but it is basically a 2 18650 battery UPS unit that has a 5Volt output. I imagine using this when I can't connect to other UPS units I have. To me, it looks like a cheaper option than others out there. Be for brief outages to maintain those values that are volatile within the GW1000/1100 . I know it was meant for a Pi, but I don't think that matters, only the output does.

I looked at these and found them a bit expensive for what you get. Some models do come with power management software that will shut down the operating system as the batteries run out. I suppose that's the price for admission.

However, I chose this solution: https://www.amazon.ca/Battery-Uninterruptable-Function-100V-240V-Wireless/dp/B07W8MCBMS. It has 2 x 5V outputs, a 9V and a 12V output. I am using it back up my rpi zero 2W but it should be sufficient to power up a rpi 3B+. No power management software but if the hydro cuts out if I'm around, I can manually shut down the rpi gracefully. It has 2.0A total output for the 5V . Probably not enough power to run both of my rpis but if I don't boot both at the same time, 2A might work..maybe. Might be worth an experiment. There is a larger capacity model for about $100CAD.

The F3 tornado that ripped through Michigan yesterday kept going in our direction and took out our electrical grid a few times. My new UPS works!

It should easily handle a GW1000/1100 and no worries about hurting the operating system.

EDIT: Oops..I got the 10,000mAh unit not the 20,000mAh. Corrected link accordingly.

[Rover1822]

i actually have, a very similar unit as you listed, https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07PHQNLFY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1.
 behind one of my Gw1000s.  It works fine, but even at $50 is overkill on functionality for just providing UPS to the unit.

So am looking for other simpler solution for my other GW1000s/GW1100/GW2000 that I have so as to  get decent readings for indoor temperature, etc. These units are currently stacked into a true UPS that runs a bunch of stuff like a server. But the location, as I stated , is not the best. That is the one thing I really don't like is the inability to use an alternate internal temp/humidity unit with them.

So I am looking for as cheap as you can get UPS solutions (not battery backup, need a smooth transition, without reboot) . Partly why I looked at Pi UPS units. I really , just need maybe 1-2 hrs of backup (if that), as most of my outages are under 5 minutes. But I do have extended ones during hurricanes etc. Which at that point just fire up the gens, and live with the rest. Actual importance of a GW!000 diminishes greatly when everything is going to hell
 

[Rover1822]

Think I found what I am looking for that has a reasonable price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091TL2Q9H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

@$16 I have bought a unit and will see how well it works. Tiny bit of soldering, add, a case , batteries, and USB A pigtail not bad

You can get them < $5 US from aliexpress, name is Aether "4 in 1 Board UPS for Raspberry pi 18650 Battery Charging 3.7V Step up to DC 5V 12V with Protection (5V 15W Output)"

[Rover1822]

Just did the dry assembly of this, works fine. no reboot on power disconnect. Figure with the 2 batteries, somewhere in the 40 hrs runtime off power. The GW1000 draws, max 90mA (measured) @ 5V .

Cons to this approach: This is not UL/CE listed , and does involve lithium batteries. Also takes some light soldering skills.

Pros: Small form factor, cost is less than other options, also fun for the OP (me)

Pic depicts the assembly in testing, going to do a rundown, and a charge. 

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[Rover1822]

Hmmm. Results not so good, about a 10hr run time and only one of the 2 batteries was discharging

Edit - everything OK , My bad, I had a bad solder joint on one of the battery terminals

[Rover1822]

Testing done, with decent batteries, I got a 40 hour runtime on batteries (2).

I am ok with this.

[gszlag]

Testing done, with decent batteries, I got a 40 hour runtime on batteries (2).

I am ok with this.

Only 40 hours?
Good job Rover1822!

[Rover1822]

Yeah, battery quality matter , so easy to get crap 18650s, these were "rated" at 3200 mAh. Which I didn't see, more like 3000 mAh , but that is at a 40 hour rate. 18650s should be measured at the 5 hour rate which equates to 640mA for 5 hrs . GW1000 draws 90 mA, in theory that should give a higher mAhr value. But I'm still ok with it.

Also my calculations are only on the draw of the GW1000 , does not include the  the efficiency of the UPS boost circuitry, so actual draw is probably 10-20% higher.

But still happy with that

[WA4OPQ]

I'm a bit late to the party...

Here's the UPS I settled on: https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-ups-hat/

My UPS requirements are a bit different. I use them in remote solar and battery powered stations. I use the UPS for just a minute to allow a graceful shutdown of pi. The power management software is very important to me, if it fails the UPS is worthless to me.
I found this to be the case with a different brand, after a long period the auto shutdown software did not work reliably.

[Rover1822]

I get that.

This was not an effort to keep a PI going, just a GW1000, with the smallest form factor possible so as not to be obtrusive. Something you could place in an area with the GWX to have it use its internal temp and humidity sensor, where you wanted it. Which is what I wanted. I have UPS units all over the place, large things with SLA batteries. I also have a large solar battery bank outside. I wanted something small, just for this GW1X that could be moved with it as a single purpose device.

I don't use a PI , but I did not like seeing the resets on the GW for a power failure for stuff that wasn't in NVRAM.

The reference to PI, was just to aid in searches for units that were a USB / DC UPS

So different goal.