SparkFun Electronics Commentsurn:uuid:214d0e4e-f1b1-d287-ce26-ac5b4c9f82492024-03-29T09:29:56-06:00SparkFun Electronicssantaimpersonator on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugesantaimpersonatorurn:uuid:8fe6d6f8-c574-36ee-deaa-507bd252ce402020-06-19T11:27:59-06:00<p>As specified by the information listed under the <strong>Features</strong> tab, the version of the MAX1704X IC in the schematic/datasheet should be for single-cell batteries only (i.e MAX17043).</p>
Customer #1604350 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #1604350urn:uuid:97c98e74-17c9-552e-606c-32b0471f281f2020-06-18T18:42:12-06:00<p>Will this work for a LiFePO4 4S battery?</p>
Customer #718964 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #718964urn:uuid:42cc4164-0819-a3aa-06d2-9a82bfd9ec682020-05-05T13:05:27-06:00<p>Can I charge the battery while having this connected? I have an arduino-esque board with a built in lipoly charger. If it is helpful it is is the Adafruit feather M0 Bluefruit LE. The charger on the board runs the arduino off of the usb when connected and charges the battery at the same time. and I don't know if charging the battery while connected to this could do some damage.<p>Thanks</p></p>
santaimpersonator on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugesantaimpersonatorurn:uuid:b9c4dbd7-4e93-418a-9371-3fbc72e42b262019-12-18T17:58:08-07:00<p>As specified by the information listed under the <strong>Features</strong> tab, the version of the MAX1704X IC in the schematic/datasheet should be for single-cell batteries only (i.e MAX17043).</p>
j.tilghman on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugej.tilghmanurn:uuid:29f5eae8-0dc7-3bba-2dfc-0f85382a14992019-12-09T18:16:24-07:00<p>Will this work for 7.2v batteries or just 3.7v ?</p>
Customer #1450845 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #1450845urn:uuid:586f7c7d-397e-0953-e2b8-7e90080570a62019-02-06T03:35:31-07:00<p>Another +1 on this. Building a robot boat here with 2S LiPo powering an RPi via 5V regulator. Need to know when the battery will run down. I tried to see who sources any of these ICs to maybe swap the 17043 with 17044 but only a single supplier (mouser.com) sources the 17044 and that only in BGA form MAX17044X. I think the part on the Fuel Gauge is not the BGA part so it would not be compatible, even if it could just be reworked.</p>
Customer #426409 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #426409urn:uuid:8c2ca71a-215c-734c-44f4-dcaffadb73902018-11-24T07:51:04-07:00<p>My low-power project draws 30 microamps or less, but when I put this in place, it draws 1mA - even when I put it to sleep. Posted details here: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=581247.0
Any advice?</p>
Customer #426409 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #426409urn:uuid:5676ce07-b222-c7cd-6ffe-b714a1d28a102018-10-11T07:53:08-06:00<p>I finally got it working. It turns out all I needed to connect was SDA, SCL, and B+ and B-. Did not need to connect GND, VCC, QST or ALT to get the VoltageSOC example from Arduinolib_MAX17043-Master working.</p>
Customer #426409 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #426409urn:uuid:f86d5e37-b5da-cf3a-08b4-43ac5fe7e2072018-09-10T09:56:24-06:00<p>Mine always reads 256% charge / 5 Volts. I'm guessing that I've hooked it up wrong.
There are + and - pins; and there are also VCC and GND pins.
Do I hook the LiPo to + and -?
Then do I run my load from VCC and GND?<p>Basically I'm looking for a hookup diagram. I've seen conflicting videos re: hookup.
Thanks for any help.</p></p>
Customer #906116 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #906116urn:uuid:ab7180e0-212f-b1c3-bae9-1c59afe5303d2017-02-19T21:59:35-07:00<p>Do I need a 5v step-up with this to power the arduino?</p>
Customer #803047 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #803047urn:uuid:d50fb93f-5e20-5daa-8093-8d7e11387f942016-05-01T17:54:13-06:00<p>Are there any similar products to this that work with Lithium Ion batteries? I have several 12-Volt cylindrical-cell Lithium Ion batteries I would like to be able to get a fuel gauge for, but I haven't found any good ones.<p>Do LiPo(s) and Li-Ion(s) function similarly enough that this would work for both?</p></p>
Customer #470208 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #470208urn:uuid:9d4f321e-3524-8f10-7601-540156971d572016-04-18T17:02:13-06:00<p>One of the best parts of SparkFun's designs is that there is usually a path to migrate from modules to an integrated system.<p>The bummer about the MAX17043 is that it's non-stock from pretty much all the usual suspects: Digikey, Mauser, etc.</p><p>Anyone know what's up with that? Is it end of life, is it <em>that</em> popular, or something else?</p><p>Thanks!</p></p>
Customer #582885 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #582885urn:uuid:64a034c7-e3cd-7130-1e3a-47977539f27b2016-02-24T14:44:33-07:00<p>Okay, isn't there supposed to be an .ino file in the example code so that we can see how this fuel gauge works and how to grab the battery charge state? I do not know how to work with the files that are there.
Matadormac</p>
Customer #716781 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #716781urn:uuid:9fa61245-754a-ed86-f684-5d2ab02402592016-02-23T15:28:06-07:00<p>If I had a 3S lipo, could I attach one sensor to cell #1, one to cell #2, and one to cell #3 to get a total combined capacity for the entire battery?</p>
adamj537 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeadamj537urn:uuid:86607a37-79e5-c631-d8eb-0cc69cfeeec82015-12-18T08:53:24-07:00<p>This should only be used with a single-cell Lithium-ion battery. Not a battery pack, and certainly not something as high as 9V.</p>
Customer #698852 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #698852urn:uuid:e7b1b288-ff24-af5f-a938-02a0d67222542015-07-10T11:13:33-06:00<p>ify7i</p>
Customer #698852 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #698852urn:uuid:a0c4bfc4-d245-afb4-cc2b-54bcc54988802015-07-10T11:12:37-06:00<p>Hi, I have a question regarding the schematic. VCC is the lipo positive terminal, that according to this schematic, is going to be connected to the VDD line through a 180 ohm resistor, to the ALERT pin through a 4.7 K resistor and to the I2C bus (SDA and SCL) through 4.7 K resistors. Shouldn't be a 3.3V regulator after the VCC line (battery) to have a stabilized voltage level on the I2C bus and on the other lines (not the CELL pin since the battery's capacity and voltage is measured there)? Best regards</p>
Customer #693939 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #693939urn:uuid:2e9d6f5a-9ca1-8fc1-84ea-158738a723cb2015-06-22T18:27:21-06:00<p>Hi folks,<p>I've bought a couple of these fuel gauges, but am having trouble figuring out the hookup from the supplied information. Can you tell me precisely what the + and - are on this picture:</p><p>https://cdn.sparkfun.com//assets/parts/5/2/7/9/10617-03.jpg</p><p>It's not too apparent (to me, anyway) if they are JP1, JP5 or VDD ... I don't want to guess - it took months for my stuff to arrive from the UK, and I dislike blue smoke, trashed batteries and melted solar chargers ;-)</p><p>Thanks,</p><p>Brian</p></p>
Customer #383437 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #383437urn:uuid:882beae3-e671-6622-420e-7fc2250480222015-06-10T15:16:21-06:00<p>I have been using this module for a month now with no issues until now. For some reason it is reading a fully charged lipo (2000mah) incorrectly. After being fully charged it is only reading the battery as 80% charged. I've been using the same battery since day 1, and it's being used on a low drain system (1-3ma).<p>Any idea why this could be happening?</p></p>
bboyho on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugebboyhourn:uuid:4bffed79-628d-1eed-f68c-bf5bd55a0ea62015-06-04T13:38:49-06:00<p>More example code for Arduino => <a href="https://github.com/awelters/LiPoFuelGauge" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/awelters/LiPoFuelGauge</a>.</p>
Customer #517027 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #517027urn:uuid:2af52df3-df8c-339a-4ccb-700498f35e062015-04-16T07:36:19-06:00<p>So, if I understand correctly - this is intended as an "in line" solution - right? I put my battery into the JST connector, then I can power my project from the OUTPUT vcc/gnd, as well as use the I2C to measure my juice. Yes? Any concerns when the output vcc/gnd are not used? Or if I was wrong to begin with, what is up with those connections period?</p>
GlitchTech Science on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeGlitchTech Scienceurn:uuid:f8b4b8af-2b7a-da38-7d7c-a984010d3c5c2015-04-10T10:00:36-06:00<p>I'd use either a multiplexer to switch the data lines between the two cells or a software base I2C so you can just use completely separate pins.</p>
Customer #514386 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #514386urn:uuid:9a4a4d36-f885-0d8d-eb5b-54047e446fd62015-02-13T07:49:24-07:00<p>I got the LiPo Fuel gauge perfectly work on Arduino uno (SDA and SCL Analog pins 4 and 5, GND Arduino @ GND Fuelgauge). I also got it just work nice and fine on Arduino Mega ADK (as SDA and SCL are located @ PINS 20 ans 21). So now i want to connect two Fuel gauges on the Arduino Mega ADK .... Any ideas how i could do that?</p>
Customer #645210 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #645210urn:uuid:0b4eabef-55ab-cb98-7a6f-8a51d3923dbe2015-01-31T23:19:01-07:00<p>:D can i test it by simply wiring it to some DC power source? or it has to be a lipo batery?</p>
Twpsyn on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeTwpsynurn:uuid:c39003dc-ccf0-fd80-706c-9d29ce359d2c2014-12-17T04:30:30-07:00<p>Does anyone have a Fritzing part for this?
I've been trying without success to convert the eagle file to fritzing, and am close to just giving up and not incorporating this into the project.</p>
Customer #529334 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #529334urn:uuid:c49ebf7e-0413-1255-93cf-ed9d01d01ac92014-06-20T11:39:17-06:00<p>i'm using a tenergy 11.1V pack in a high-output LED light project; currently, i've got the logic side regulated down to 9V. i'm only looking to pull the bat% off the Maxim chip, so i had planned to plug this board in behind the regulator on the logic side (i.e. CELL = 9V).<p>(?) Am I fouling up the Maxim IC by feeding it regulated power -- (or stated another way) -- can one use this board to gauge a pack >5V via regulating the incoming power?</p><p>namaste.</p></p>
Customer #418217 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #418217urn:uuid:6699f72f-c573-071c-e2db-4b46c60821d62014-02-06T21:34:42-07:00<p>I've forked the project and implemented sleep/awake (PR created as well): <a href="https://github.com/mcrosson/MAX1704/tree/sleep_awake" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/mcrosson/MAX1704/tree/sleep_awake</a></p>
Kamiquasi on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKamiquasiurn:uuid:b3422f40-f3af-915d-e7d7-6ab1b53c497e2014-01-27T19:57:08-07:00<p>That's a tricky question to answer, The main reason for using a balancing charger in the first place is so that you don't get, say, 2 batteries at 3.4V and 1 battery at 4.3V and everything still looking fine at 11.1V total. The balancing charger will also help indicate when such a situation is more likely to occur because the batteries end up charging/discharging differently, and you might get a new cell (or typically a whole new pack). So if you put a monitor on only a single cell, you can't really be 100% sure that a reading on 1 cell is going to be indicative of readings on the other cells <em>unless</em> your balancing charger was quite recently used and indicated no problem. In that case I'd say it would be indicative..but still not a certainty.<p>If you're trying to save money (or weight!) in a live monitoring case, perhaps it would be better to switch the fuel gauge to each cell independently, e.g. using an analog switch. This would require control circuitry (presumably that's not an issue given that the fuel gauge tends to be hooked up to a microcontroller anyway) and appropriate read-outs as well, though.. and I haven't checked to see if added resistance from said switch would throw off the monitoring.</p></p>
Customer #86938 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #86938urn:uuid:edc05923-26fe-f462-fa5a-3ed699a5f1e72014-01-27T19:17:01-07:00<p>Is it possible to run this across a single cell of a 3S battery (using the balance connector) and use the reading as indicative of all 3 cells (i.e. multiply the reading by 3 to get the full voltage)?</p>
Customer #411466 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #411466urn:uuid:8b539c29-43a1-085f-8abe-6165a7a391382013-10-19T12:08:02-06:00<p>Hi all, anyone has a library to implement PIC microcontroller and CCS compiler, please if someone has a different library of Arduino, and who can help me, I have several days trying to implement the circuit but I could not communicate with the PIC by I2C.</p>
STARscream on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeSTARscreamurn:uuid:f9b2c350-f42a-e1c7-bce9-75c1695c3e152013-10-03T09:32:06-06:00<p>What if I need to use LiPo Fuel Gauge with this >> https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11360 battery pack as you see its complete with charging circuitry and all but I needed to also have the charge level read off it! is it fine.
I see that this battery pack>> https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11360 uses a single cell LiPo so this would be fine with this LiPo power fuel gauge but what if I hack the battery pack and its too congested to access all the points to read the battery that I seek?</p>
Customer #21368 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #21368urn:uuid:afa55c37-6a73-5112-e45f-bbb54a3a37712013-08-29T07:52:54-06:00<p>Been looking EVERYWHERE for an integrated solution like this and I can't find a good one! This is a great opportunity for you Spark Fun! A one board complete battery solution - plug the battery on one end, then connect the device on the other! You have all the pieces, just put it together into one (very small) board!</p>
Matt66 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeMatt66urn:uuid:35a5bde7-f779-2577-99a6-2df9871d35932013-08-22T14:42:50-06:00<p>Excellent solution! But should have two pins JST for battery input, and output, for use with the Power Cell or any other ...</p>
ChrisKo on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeChrisKourn:uuid:755011e7-552e-24a5-f325-748f2485beb42013-07-29T18:51:53-06:00<p>Is there any limitation in the capacity of the battery?</p>
Taha on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeTahaurn:uuid:adcc286c-8d56-8c09-d253-ce073e43d4392013-07-21T01:19:03-06:00<p>So this is probably a really simple question, in reading the data sheet for MAX17043 and designing a circuit for it, i came across the following line<p>Alert Output. Active-low interrupt signaling low state of charge. Connect to interrupt input of the
system microprocessor.</p><p>So my question is what exactly do they mean?
Is the line usually HIGH and when the IC detects an Alert it will turn the Alert line LOW?</p></p>
pratikshinde on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugepratikshindeurn:uuid:cd577295-3ad7-6772-a319-df9439b292672013-07-04T02:07:08-06:00<p>This example code did not work on atmega128A,
After using sample code from <a href="http://www.nongnu.org/avr-libc/user-manual/group__twi__demo.html" rel="nofollow">this page</a>, It worked fine :)
<strong>http://www.nongnu.org/avr-libc/user-manual/group__twi__demo.html</strong></p>
Customer #445832 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #445832urn:uuid:5bd109a3-1d38-cadb-348b-2ce28a2470be2013-06-11T14:50:09-06:00<p>Matt - Has your code been tested with the MAX17043? I'm looking for a working project to talk to the chip, I'll pick up an Arduino and run your code if you know it works. Thanks.</p>
awelters on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeaweltersurn:uuid:c8378788-254e-8285-9723-f35a642f1ea82013-05-24T19:14:02-06:00<p>Here is a library I put together that has proven helpful to me: <a href="https://github.com/awelters/LiPoFuelGauge" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/awelters/LiPoFuelGauge</a>. Hope it helps others.</p>
Kamiquasi on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKamiquasiurn:uuid:eb06d585-0301-0be2-8fbe-48b0a987749e2013-05-12T17:30:53-06:00<p>ah, same project as 4 months back, then :) Yeah, I'm familiar with the RC batteries (I fly a heli from time to time) - unfortunately I don't know of anything like this product, but for a 3S (or 2S, or 4S, etc.). There's a few chips from TI (probably Maxim as well) that could do the job, but you'd have to design a board around it, etc.<p>The I²C multiplexer approach could work for you. However, it may be easier to dig up a protection circuit (amazon, ebay, the usual, since that's your more immediate goal.<br>
Alternatively, you could try measuring the voltage of each cell directly on your arduino and do your own guesswork on 'charge', since that's what most of these ICs do (in a wide range of algorithms with trademarked names, though granted some also add ambient temperature and such into the mix), or just go by the voltage itself (cut off at 3.3V, 3.4V if on the cautious side).<br>
There's also some off-the-shelf field fuel gauges you could try, like the AKE PM3C. It's intended for continuous monitoring and gives visual indication when a cell goes low. Of course you'd have to actually be present in order to notice the red light, but you could try hacking it into input signals for the Arduino - though at that point, measuring directly seems just as sane :)</p><p>Perhaps somebody else knows of an Arduino-hacker-friendly multi-cell monitoring solution; looking at the comments, it does seem a common request (and by looking at the lack of answers, one perhaps not yet catered to).</p></p>
schlick on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeschlickurn:uuid:4745ef16-de2f-417a-e758-2b6b25cace8d2013-05-12T14:45:22-06:00<p>Hi Kamiquasi,
Well see it is one battery, but multiple cells. The battery is usually used for R/C applications. It is a LiPo 11.1v 3S (three cells in series). They come standard with connector that breaks out each cell so that each cell can be charged evenly. This is usually called the balance connector. This is a good example: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6307__ZIPPY_Flightmax_1500mAh_3S1P_20C.html<p>Anyway thanks for the advice, haven't been able to find another similar device, but I'm not sure I'm looking in the right places. I mentioned earlier in an earlier post that I'm trying to make a cell phone battery charger that uses the R/C battery to recharge my cell phone. I need a way to protect the LiPo from discharging too much and my plan was to use 3 of these fuel gauges and with an arduino to monitor the battery and turn off when the LiPo got too low. In the R/C world this capability is part of the electronic speed controller (ESC). If there is another easier way, I'd love suggestions.</p></p>
Kamiquasi on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKamiquasiurn:uuid:1f18bade-ce55-b613-940b-9568d54602f12013-05-12T06:51:35-06:00<p>It's a fixed address, so you'll either have to use a software I²C library (.e. softi2c) to have things on a physically separate set of lines, or you'll have to switch between devices. There's specialized I²C multiplexers, see e.g. <a href="http://www.kerrywong.com/2012/10/08/i2c-multiplexer-shield-testing/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kerrywong.com/2012/10/08/i2c-multiplexer-shield-testing/</a>. You could also try making your own guage using a chip that does have selectable/settable addresses (I'm assuming they're out there).<p>Any particular reason you'd want to have, and monitor, more than 1 battery on the same system?</p></p>
schlick on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeschlickurn:uuid:2bd13cba-a7d2-9cc0-922b-22ae89c620c32013-05-11T20:28:55-06:00<p>Um, maybe I'm missing something, but can you set the address on these or is it permanently 0110110 (0x36)? If not how do you use more than one on your Arduino?</p>
Keil on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKeilurn:uuid:e368d0ce-5b97-b962-4b05-e6fd8921530b2013-01-29T19:49:33-07:00<p>Let me know if/when you find out.</p>
dasankir on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugedasankirurn:uuid:8ccc957b-f64e-7e0f-ad8b-0da357c185122013-01-24T11:57:50-07:00<p>Anyone knows if this could be directly pugged to a SBC's I2C bus (Raspberry Pi, etc.) and be recognized out of the box by a linux driver?<p>If not, is there such a board?</p></p>
schlick on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeschlickurn:uuid:de3131ff-356f-0376-cfbb-6c3adcc906c32013-01-15T14:54:43-07:00<p>I was just thinking about this. I was looking for a fuel guage for my 3s battery packs. They are for R/C applications but I was thinking of building a DC/DC converter so I could used my R/C batteries to charge my cell phone while I'm playing Ingress. Draining a LiPo too far is really bad for them so I wanted something to monitor the R/C batteries.<p>My R/C batteries have what is called a balance connector, which is basically a breakout for each cell so that it can be (re)charged independently. These little guys output I2C, so you need something to make that into people speak. I was thinking that I could connect one of these to each cell via the balance connector and send all the data to an Arduino (actually a teensy) with either some LEDs or a LCD display. This is turning out to be a pretty big project.</p></p>
neilfred on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeneilfredurn:uuid:ad1c0131-dec0-afb6-6ed2-d6a5fdc98d6c2012-12-30T19:59:58-07:00<p>Big +1 on this!</p>
Keil on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKeilurn:uuid:362d5084-f00e-017b-e055-a64bc96dd9022012-11-15T19:26:56-07:00<p>I want to hook this up to a dev unit which I've been told uses an LTC3576 for battery charging -- the contacts I get on the board are +, -, SCL, SDA, and TC (thermistor sense).
It does not have a fuel gauge so I was thinking of hooking this one up to it - if I understand correctly, the SCL, SDA, +, and - pins on the gauge would go to the exact same contacts on the board, the QST can be connected to GND and ALT can be left open if I'm not planning on using those... It seems the VCC is connected to the + already, so does it make sense to not connect it to anything additional if I'm fine with it sipping the power there?</p>
Customer #369150 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #369150urn:uuid:6e9fdc3d-09fb-5f92-0566-de2c3b6c6d8a2012-10-18T09:02:45-06:00<p>Would anyone be interested in a complete system? Charger, Fuel Gauge, Boost / Buck Power supply, low battery protection? I am considering designing this and selling on sparkfun, just wondering on interest?</p>
Andrew67 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeAndrew67urn:uuid:673e082d-540b-c954-f7fd-fb3e7e285f172012-09-18T21:55:51-06:00<p>Yeah the schematic was causing me to freak out (CELL and VDD tied with forced pullups? gonna kill my µCU!! D:) Does cutting that trace keep the SDL/SDA pullups to VCC? So it just unties +/VCC?</p>
FromAussie on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeFromAussieurn:uuid:491a9385-3488-bbf3-097c-e5b6d165abbb2012-08-20T22:51:02-06:00<p>I cut the track that joins the Cell positive to the Chip VCC and pull up resistors.
The track is easy to find, when looking at the back of the board, with the "Fuel Gauge" text at the top, the track to cut is the one that runs around (from 12 oclock to 3 oclock) the CELL -ve pad in the center of the board and attaches to the VCC pad on the right side.<p>Once this track is cut, the VCC needs to be connected to a 3.3V (2.5V to 4.5V) supply, but you will have nicely isolated the LiPo voltage from the other supplies you have.
This is for version V11</p></p>
Jon Shuler on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeJon Shulerurn:uuid:fbe0949f-049c-1831-f41e-42706fadb0022012-06-25T14:45:03-06:00<p>You could connect it ground or rest.</p>
Customer #144735 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #144735urn:uuid:a64dffc5-c7a0-6ada-02f9-101033d4e3a22012-05-17T01:04:23-06:00<p>Hi,<p>Did anyone tried using it when running a Lithium Polymer battery while dischraging it on high current? When i am not consuming any current it look fine but when I'm discharging it at 20A-30A I'm getting strange results..</p><p>Thanks</p></p>
MikeGrusin on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeMikeGrusinurn:uuid:622e1d1e-673b-d2a5-7529-6c08772162222012-05-08T15:55:50-06:00<p>They're still listed as active production... You should be able to buy them straight from Maxim at the above link.</p>
Alex the Giant (Former SFE Engineer) on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeAlex the Giant (Former SFE Engineer)urn:uuid:0ec275cb-a1cd-28cb-1b08-aae2eede97c72012-05-08T13:58:33-06:00<p>Digikey and Mouser no longer stock the MAX17043G+U, is there a good replacement IC I can use?</p>
DogP on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeDogPurn:uuid:2656048c-9741-435d-e2f3-773c182c40fe2012-03-20T02:59:53-06:00<p>I agree that the pullups are a little weird. The I2C pins are open drain output, and I'd expect the host to pull them up... though if you're using this in a standalone config (just using the alert pin), maybe the chip would freak out. And since they pull up the alert pin, I assume that's an open drain output as well.<p>The pullups won't cause damage on most systems though, since the ESD diodes (present on most chips) will shunt the higher voltage, and the pullup resistors will limit the current.</p><p>I think the VCC pin is dangerous though... if you didn't fully understand the documentation, most would expect to power the chip through the VCC pin, but in this case, you'd end up connecting your 3.3V rail directly to the battery pack. Or, in a worse scenario, connect it to your 5V system VCC and set your LiPo on fire.</p><p>It's nice that you don't need to connect regulated power to this (the datasheet recommended configurations show powering directly from the battery), but you just need to be extra careful and read the documentation. I'm just gonna leave the VCC header pin unpopulated to remind myself to not use it.</p><p>BTW, in regards to the comment on Figure 7, that's showing the 2S version (MAX17044), which needs a regulated voltage. They don't recommend a regulator for the 1S version (MAX17043)... though they don't explicitly recommend against one either.</p></p>
Dr. Bogger on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeDr. Boggerurn:uuid:c3819762-108e-dd75-9d13-4e53998ab9f42012-03-17T09:33:46-06:00<p>Where's the mounting holes!?</p>
Dr. Bogger on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeDr. Boggerurn:uuid:0dbb003d-42bc-a0b7-c7f2-ca4e2564a1072012-03-17T09:30:55-06:00<p>Yes, I would also be interested in something like this! As of right now I'm taking pieces and parts from SparkFun boards to basically make this... Would be nice to have a ALL-IN-ONE Solution!</p>
bitsmashed on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugebitsmashedurn:uuid:031472e8-f002-fb4f-d18c-57ccd787440c2012-03-14T09:16:09-06:00<p>Yes, you should be able to do that. Check out the <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10711" rel="nofollow">LiPower Shield</a> for an example similar to what you are doing.</p>
Schilcote on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeSchilcoteurn:uuid:518c84f4-9421-b2f8-2fc5-91c65dc5dc032012-03-13T16:48:14-06:00<p>Now, these two headers, could I hook up the Sparkfun 5v boost thingy up to one, and the Sparkfun LiPo charger up to the other? Regarding the charger, would I be able to run the device directly off of the charger input with this setup?</p>
MikeGrusin on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeMikeGrusinurn:uuid:7e7dbd6b-1c1c-9b16-fda4-8d915c0bbe062012-02-18T13:04:46-07:00<p>You could always try getting them from the source (including free samples!): <a href="http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/6546/t/al" rel="nofollow">http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/6546/t/al</a></p>
erich81 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeerich81urn:uuid:820973a6-b2e3-3c37-202f-391dd75660f62012-02-17T19:38:08-07:00<p>how do you order the max17043's? I can't find them anywhere, I just need the IC's</p>
Customer #259898 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #259898urn:uuid:16baf518-7235-cf0c-2e32-59a0cfb373922012-02-01T16:55:16-07:00<p>Where do I plug the QST into, when using Arduino?</p>
Customer #110428 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #110428urn:uuid:d8bf4dcc-5487-220e-36b1-ae91b38badd42012-01-20T16:23:31-07:00<p>For those looking for example arduino code, see: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10711</p>
erich81 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeerich81urn:uuid:384ceb6e-dae7-5c4e-a966-b8e36c0493ce2012-01-05T09:43:54-07:00<p>nvm</p>
Spike8888 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeSpike8888urn:uuid:6226998c-45ee-b3e9-28e5-3cc7e08eeb832011-12-29T21:52:05-07:00<p>The data sheet states:<p>"Clearing the ALERT bit while SOC is below the alert threshold does not generate another interrupt. The SOC register must first rise above and then fall below the alert threshold value before another interrupt is generated."</p><p>What does this mean exactly. What if say the SOC has a range from 0 to 100, 100 being fully charged and 0 is totally dead. If I write 4 if cases where I set the threshold alert levels to below, 100, below 75, below 50, and below 25. if the SOC first goes below 100, the FW then sets it to 75. If that statement is true, it has to rise above 100 and THEN go below to 75 for me to get another interrupt. Am I reading this right?</p><p>Thanks.</p></p>
chattmatt on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugechattmatturn:uuid:c72a2dfd-341c-a8bb-052c-d13f0d80cd022011-12-21T23:16:44-07:00<p>I've started a new library for this fuel gauge (based on Wire) available on Github: <a href="http://github.com/MattNewberry/MAX1704" rel="nofollow">http://github.com/MattNewberry/MAX1704</a><p><br>
Enjoy!</p></p>
BlackJester on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeBlackJesterurn:uuid:530e5cc7-6fec-9ca4-123f-d95e5f5789232011-10-25T16:53:04-06:00<p>I was about to use this with a 3.3V setup too when I noticed this problem. Odds are, if you are using this in a system, you're going to regulate the battery voltage, either up to 5V or down to 3.3V. Point being that by tying this board's Vcc line directly to the battery, its logic lines are going to vary with the battery voltage. This seems like a bad idea, IMHO.<br>
This IC should be able to handle up to 5.5V inputs, but check that your system can handle IO voltages from 4.2V down to ~2.6V.<br>
Note, ATmega640/1280/1281/2560/2561 doesn't like inputs above Vcc +0.5V.<br>
edit: I would recommend separating Vcc and Vdd from the battery voltage and letting the user connect them if they want. Otherwise, I need to cut traces on this board.</p>
Shade on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeShadeurn:uuid:033dfb8c-c599-a2ba-52cd-302986b58bdc2011-10-24T01:32:47-06:00<p>Any chance of Just being able to get the IC itself?</p>
krh2o on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugekrh2ourn:uuid:ea3331b3-8fbd-0727-9940-39a69ec3bfd62011-09-07T14:05:14-06:00<p>To answer your other questions...<br>
Yes, the pullup resistors are included, so you don't need more. I haven't tried with Arduino/Atmega yet. For libraries, there's an i2c library for the arduino called Wire: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Wire</p>
krh2o on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugekrh2ourn:uuid:1098b0df-a89c-c053-99d9-5e973e6356402011-09-07T11:50:27-06:00<p>From the datasheet and schematic I see a possible issue for 3.3V systems. They connected all the pullup resistors and the chips VDD to the battery voltage (labeled VCC), however Figure 7 in the datasheet shows the connections should be tied to the 3.3V of the microcontroller and isolated from the battery’s voltage, which could fluctuate from 2.6V to 4.2V. I think this could mean up to 4.2V signal levels on the 3.3V chip, but I’m not sure if this would actually cause a problem. Maybe try this out with a 5V Arduino? Looking at the signals with a logic probe or oscope might help. If I get I2C working on the datalogger (which runs at 3.3V) I’ll give this a try. Hopefully it’s just a code issue.</p>
bobmct on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugebobmcturn:uuid:fc1b9f7d-2ffa-1e3f-298d-41369e46c27c2011-09-05T10:11:39-06:00<p>I have been trying to use this device and still am having problems. I am using an Atmega328 at 3.3V, running at 8MHz and the example code from this page. I noticed in the schematic that there are pull-up resistors (4.7K) on the breakout board so I assumed that I do not need external pull-up resistors in order to use this I2C interface. Am I right?<br>
Has anyone else been able to get this to work with the example code?<br>
Also I have been searching for an Arduino library and example code without any luck. Has anyone found any working Arduino examples?</p>
robotographer on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugerobotographerurn:uuid:cdc57fc9-db16-0cb2-8b71-d27d0a4a77542011-08-29T22:10:46-06:00<p>I had actually bought this for that specific purpose, but upon reflection had purchased the wrong design. this will work great for one portion of my project, but a multi cell gauge would work better for larger projects like UAVs or tanks. really need a more expansive model. could two of these be linked to create a 2-cell or 3 to make a 3-cell? SFE any word?</p>
baum on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugebaumurn:uuid:7b3c6835-3384-614e-c0b3-713300fe27252011-08-27T17:14:46-06:00<p>That would be heaven.</p>
girlinmotio on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugegirlinmotio urn:uuid:7243cb50-6fee-fb00-2f50-79a951ac8ed42011-08-11T23:15:51-06:00<p>Great chip.</p>
Customer #150549 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeCustomer #150549urn:uuid:4bb491cd-d6ea-f87c-1444-348e67ce276a2011-07-28T10:28:47-06:00<p>This would be <em>so</em> perfect for me if it supported a 2-cell LIPO. There's even an IC that handles it (MAX17044G+U). I'm really hoping to see a 2-cell version of this board soon.. :)</p>
KirAsh4 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeKirAsh4urn:uuid:c538a8b0-50d8-38c1-2964-b0eecb45f6cc2011-06-28T03:00:45-06:00<p>How about one for multi-cell packs? And I second mitpatterson suggestion of having LED indicators on board, 1 red, 2 yellow, 3 green (racing christmas tree style) with everything lit up when it's full and then progressivly turn them off as the power gets low, so the red is the last one to remain on.</p>
EliTheIceMan on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeEliTheIceManurn:uuid:6513c5af-34e0-80bd-cb8b-24a3b5b19b9a2011-06-27T01:53:30-06:00<p>Does anyone know of a similar IC which performs the same functions as this MAX17043 but in a larger, hand-solderable package?<br>
Maybe like MSOP or bigger.</p>
E.Mk on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeE.Mkurn:uuid:4f581ef2-c62f-0865-2763-2b8f58017a342011-06-25T13:34:39-06:00<p>Can I connect this to the output pins of a <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10300" rel="nofollow">PRT-10300 - Power cell lipo charger/booster</a> and get the current state of charge?<br>
In other words, add onto the charger/booster abilities of the PRT-10300 by adding the ability to gauge the power that's left with this item?</p>
mitpatterson on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugemitpattersonurn:uuid:7b702055-0bbb-b284-c322-bf14a3a8f0872011-06-24T23:18:24-06:00<p>Would be nice to have something like this that could directly output to a few LED's (like you have "select" the "precision" of the output, 3, 5, 7 LED's, have the last one red, yellow or 2, rest green) or even just an output to our own LED's</p>
bitsmashed on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugebitsmashedurn:uuid:bc1033d0-04e9-bfda-d6ac-03267ecbac182011-06-24T16:09:37-06:00<p>There are two separate pin headers where you can access the battery voltage. You can use one of them to connect a charger and, let's say, the other can connect to your system power.</p>
ransomhall on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugeransomhallurn:uuid:584d9cb9-b774-0fec-c273-f4f7053693d82011-06-24T15:56:22-06:00<p>+1. nice to know how much juice is left, but then I have to plug the LiPo into another board to charge it?</p>
PalmTreesandPICs on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugePalmTreesandPICsurn:uuid:85e0d8e1-6464-49e0-1bb8-cb41aeb0ed902011-06-24T14:18:48-06:00<p>so, when can we expect to see a Battery/Charger/fuel gage/current measuring/ boosting/with "system out" combo ?<br>
basically... a complete lipo solution package.<br>
you give it power say from a solar cell, usb, 7805, or what ever you can source power from... and you have a battery backed 4.2-3.0 V output...seamless... with no hassel.......<br>
you could include a switch maybe to boost to 5v the incoming power for better charging efficiencies or boost the outgoing power for 5v system operation.... mabey throw in a few comparators to make the power input have some hysterisis (only start charging when incoming voltage is 3V.....)<br>
i foresee power harvesting solutions.... spark fun... make this real!</p>
mct75 on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel Gaugemct75urn:uuid:e15186ec-0afd-f649-0493-f2077a8499f62011-06-24T08:03:13-06:00<p>I think you'd need to just run power off the FIO board and over to the vias on the fuel gauge. Considering it uses an ASIC for monitoring the SOC, I have a feeling maxim would have realised that you need to charge the thing at some point :P</p>
aMeyer on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeaMeyerurn:uuid:5aea1fe4-bd42-1ed6-27bc-5c2ca03b2b672011-06-24T07:39:26-06:00<p>Can you charge the battery while it is connected to this? Like if I connect a battery to this, then this to an Arduino FIO, can I charge the battery through the FIO still?</p>
FoxxCommand on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeFoxxCommandurn:uuid:27a5f14f-ea4e-0cb5-5d73-ef896e8e17e42011-06-24T07:13:40-06:00<p>Would of been nice to see this incorporated into some kind of battery charger board as well...</p>
RobertC. on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeRobertC.urn:uuid:af3ea4b1-6195-b09e-cb16-42b814d107622011-06-23T17:45:57-06:00<p>correct, we listed that in the features as well.</p>
Myles Grant on TOL-10617 - SparkFun LiPo Fuel GaugeMyles Granturn:uuid:88efe88a-79f0-3652-79dd-d14a357e223b2011-06-23T17:24:37-06:00<p>Only works with single cell lipos, from the datasheet.</p>