Boost Inkplate Dashboard: Battery Discharge Test Guide

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to make your Inkplate Dashboard's battery life readings super accurate? Let's dive into a battery discharge test! This guide is all about getting the most out of your LiPo/Li-ion batteries by creating a precise voltage-to-percentage mapping table. Ready to make your Inkplate Dashboard smarter? Let's get started!

Why Run a Battery Discharge Test?

So, why bother with a battery discharge test in the first place? Well, the current system might be using a generic table that doesn't always match how your battery actually performs. This can lead to some wonky readings, like thinking you have 20% battery left, and then boom – your device shuts down unexpectedly. Not cool, right? By running this test, you'll be able to create a custom voltage-to-percentage mapping table that’s tailored to your battery’s unique discharge curve. This means more accurate battery percentage readings and a much better user experience.

We all want to know exactly how much juice we have left, especially when we are working on cool projects like the Inkplate Dashboard. This test ensures that you get a much more realistic picture. You'll know, with confidence, when it's time to recharge your device. This is crucial for avoiding those frustrating power-offs, and it makes your dashboard far more reliable. This whole process is super valuable. It's like giving your Inkplate Dashboard a brain upgrade when it comes to battery management, making it much smarter and more dependable. Let's get into the details of the test procedure to start improving your dashboard!

Benefits of a Custom Mapping Table

• Accurate Battery Readings: Know exactly how much power you have remaining.
• Predictable Device Behavior: Avoid unexpected shutdowns and plan your usage accordingly.
• Improved User Experience: A more reliable and trustworthy dashboard.
• Optimize battery management: Optimize how the battery is being used so you can prolong its battery life.

Preparing for the Battery Discharge Test

Alright, before we jump into the fun stuff, let's make sure we have everything we need. You will need your Inkplate Dashboard, a LiPo/Li-ion battery, a way to monitor and log the voltage (we will get to the details in the procedure), and some patience! Seriously, gathering this data takes a bit of time, so make sure you've got some free time to let the test run its course. Make sure you fully understand the test procedure, so you won't encounter any problems during the whole process.

Essential Tools and Materials

• Inkplate Dashboard: Make sure your device is ready to go.
• LiPo/Li-ion Battery: The power source for your project. Be sure you know the specifications of your battery.
• Voltage Logging Method: This could be through the Inkplate itself, connected to a computer, or even using a multimeter with logging capabilities. (More on this later!)
• A method to track time stamps: In order to track the voltage, you will also need to track the time. This can be done by using your logging method.
• Patience: This test requires some waiting time.

Setting Up Your Environment

Make sure your environment is safe and well-lit. Make sure you have enough space to work, and have all your tools within reach. Before you begin, charge the battery to its full capacity. This ensures that you get the most accurate discharge data. A fully charged battery is essential to get the most out of the process. If you have any questions, feel free to ask for help or consult any online resources. Once everything is set, you're ready to move on to the actual test procedure!

Step-by-Step Battery Discharge Test Procedure

Now, let's get into the juicy part: the actual battery discharge test! Follow these steps closely to collect the data you need for your voltage-to-percentage mapping table. The process is pretty straightforward, but you will need to pay close attention to the details to get the best results.

Step 1: Fully Charge the Battery

First things first: Make sure your LiPo/Li-ion battery is completely charged. Use a charger designed for your specific battery type. Charge it until it reaches its maximum voltage (usually 4.2V for LiPo batteries). This is a critical step because it ensures we start with a known baseline. You will need to charge your battery at 4.2V, otherwise, your readings will be inaccurate.

Step 2: Log Voltage and Timestamp

Next, the logging is very important. During the normal operation of your Inkplate Dashboard, you will regularly need to log the battery voltage and the corresponding timestamp. How often you log the data depends on your needs; every 5 to 30 minutes is usually fine. You can configure your Inkplate Dashboard to log the battery voltage readings. Also, make sure you can accurately track the voltage, so you can track how much the battery discharges over time.

Step 3: Device Operation and Data Logging

While the device is operating, let it run normally. Make sure you don't do anything special, just let it run until it shuts down. Continue logging until your device shuts down or reaches its cutoff voltage (around 3.0–3.2V). This is where the magic happens! As your Inkplate Dashboard operates, it will slowly use up the battery's energy. At the same time, the logger will capture the voltage readings, with the timestamp in your data logging. This process will continue until the device powers off due to low battery.

Step 4: Marking Key Voltage Points and Behavior Changes

As the test runs, it's a good idea to mark key voltage points. For example, at 3.8V, 3.7V, and 3.6V, write down what's happening. Note down any changes in behavior. Did the screen brightness dim? Did any functions get disabled? These observations provide valuable context for understanding your battery’s discharge curve. Noting down these changes will help you understand your battery's discharge curve.

Step 5: Record Runtime and Calculate Remaining Percentage

Once the test is done (the device shuts down), note down the total runtime. Use the recorded voltage readings and timestamps to calculate the percentage of runtime remaining for each voltage point. This will show you exactly what percentage of the battery's capacity remains at different voltage levels. This is the final step, and it will give you a better idea of your battery life. These calculations will be the key to improving your voltage-to-percentage mapping. You'll have all the data you need to create a much more accurate representation of your battery's discharge behavior.

Analyzing Data and Creating the Mapping Table

Alright, you've collected the data; now it's time to turn that data into something useful: a custom voltage-to-percentage mapping table! This table is like a translation key, converting voltage readings into user-friendly percentage values. Let’s break down how to analyze your data and create this table.

Data Analysis: Key Voltage Points

After your battery discharge test, you'll have a log of voltage readings over time. The key is to identify the voltages at which the battery reaches significant points in its usable capacity. For instance, determine the voltage when your battery hits 80%, 50%, and 20% of its runtime. These points will serve as the reference points for your new mapping table. You might find that the voltage drops more quickly at the beginning and the end of the discharge cycle. Or it may drop in a very linear way. No matter how the discharge curve looks like, these key voltages will help you understand it.

Generate the New Mapping Table

Based on your analysis, you’ll generate a new mapping table. This is where you connect voltage values to percentage values. For example:

• 4.2V = 100%
• 3.8V = 80%
• 3.6V = 50%
• 3.4V = 20%
• 3.2V = 0%

These are just example values, of course, your values will be different. The actual values depend on your specific battery's discharge curve. You can then put the information into your dashboard's code, so it can be ready to calculate the correct percentage. This new table will give you more accurate battery readings.

Updating the Code: Implementing the New Mapping Table

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: integrating your new voltage-to-percentage mapping table into the Inkplate Dashboard’s code. This involves modifying the code to use your custom voltage-to-percentage values instead of the generic ones. You may need to replace the old mapping table or adjust how the percentage calculation works. This step is essential to ensure that the dashboard accurately reflects the battery’s charge level.

Finding the Power Management Code

First, you will need to find the power management code in your Inkplate Dashboard's source files. You're looking for the section that handles battery voltage readings and percentage calculations. It’s typically in a file named something like power_manager.cpp or a similar file that manages the power-related functions.

Integrating the New Mapping Table in the Code

Open the power management code and find the current voltage-to-percentage mapping. You will then replace the old mapping with your new one. You can either hardcode the new values directly into the code or create a lookup table. Whichever method you choose, make sure your new mapping table is accurate. Save the changes to this file to apply the new table. Be careful during this process. Make sure to back up the original code before changing it. Test out your code to make sure that everything is running as expected.

Testing and Verification

After updating the code, you need to test it thoroughly. Charge your battery to 100% and then let it discharge naturally. Throughout the discharge cycle, monitor the percentage readings on your Inkplate Dashboard. Make sure they accurately reflect the battery's actual charge level. Verify that the percentage readings align with the key voltage points you identified during your battery discharge test. This is an important step to ensure that the process works correctly. If any issues arise, go back and check your mapping table. You can always refine your code based on the data you collect.

Conclusion: Enjoy More Accurate Battery Readings!

That's it, guys! You've successfully completed a battery discharge test and implemented a custom voltage-to-percentage mapping table for your Inkplate Dashboard. You have now improved the way your Inkplate Dashboard displays your battery life, which will make your project run more smoothly. You should feel very proud! Enjoy your newly improved dashboard with the more accurate readings. You can now relax and work on other projects, knowing that you will get an accurate reading. Now go and have fun, and happy building!

Further Improvements and Considerations

• Battery Aging: Keep in mind that batteries degrade over time. You might need to repeat the test periodically to maintain accuracy.
• Different Battery Types: If you switch to a different battery type, you'll need to run the test again.
• Environmental Factors: Temperature can affect battery performance, so consider running tests under different temperature conditions for even more accurate results.