Helpdesk

Hello,
I've connected the V3 StromPi on a Raspberry 3 and I'm using a 12Volt power supply. The power supply is originating from a car battery (but this time inside a boot), from the battery I'm using a 12V DC DC converter. The output of this converter (12V) is connected to the StomPi.
The problem is that when I boot up the Raspberry everything looks fine, the Raspberry boots perfectly and I can use the mouse, start an application etc. Unfortunately after 2 to 3 mins (roughly) the Raspberry suddenly stops completely. Nothing is working anymore. The blue HDMI led is switched off and the monitor has a black screen.
Any idea what is happening? Can the StromPi handle 12V as input? Will the Raspberry be powered with a good stable supply from the StromPi? How can I debug/analyse this problem?
Please help as I don't know how to address/analyse this problem?
Thanks. Rene.

Hi Rene,
could you execute the StromPi3_Status.py script (to download: right click, „save link as…“) and post the results in this thread? Additonally it could be helpful, if you could provide an image of your setup.
Does your Raspbian image work without the StromPi connected?
Why do you use a 12V DC DC converter to connect the StromPi 3 to your boardelectronics? The WIDE input is capable of 6V-61V DC.
Best regards.
Nils (Joy-IT)

Hi Nils,
Thanks for your feedback and you answer/suggestions. I will download the script and provide the feedback/output of this in this thread. I can only do this over the weekend as the StromPi is not in my house but at the boot.
The Raspbian image can be provide, if needed, it is a 32Gb image.
Testing the Raspberry with normal power supply was working at home without any problems. I was not able yet to test it when at the boot where the problems started. I will test this over the weekend as well.
Why the 12V DC DC converter, I just want to make sure that there is no power spikes going into the StromPi. The setup is connected in a boot with a lot of other equipment that maybe can generate power glitches. Do you expect a problem with this? I also need the DC DC converter for a monitor, so I've the converter anyway hence the reason that I'm using it for the StromPi as well.
Regards, Rene

Hi Rene,
Your power supply setup should be within the specifications of the StromPi 3. So I don't expect problems from this. We don't need the image here. I just asked to be sure that the image isn't causing this behavior. I'm going to wait for your results of the status script.
Best regards
Nils (Joy-IT)

When I try to execute the StromPi3_Status script I get the following error message, what is wrong:

pi@openplotter:~ $ sudo python ./StromPi3_Status.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "./StromPi3_Status.py", line 112, in
sp3_ADC_Wide = float(serial_port.readline(9999))/1000;
ValueError: could not convert string to float:

This error message when executing the StromPi3_Status python script even occurs when I've upgraded to the V1.5 version. See status screen below from the serial console window:


-----------------------------
Welcome to the StromPi 3 Console
------------------------------
Type help to view a list of available commands.
[When you press ENTER the previous command would be executed again]
>show-status
Time: 00:01:58
Date: Tuesday 01.05.2018
StromPi-Mode: mUSB -> Wide
WakeUp-Alarm: D Time-Alarm
A00arm-Weekday: Monday
PowerOff-Alarm: Disabled
PowerOff-Alarm-Time: 00:00
Interval-Alarm: Disabled
Interval-Alarm-OnTime: 0 mi Interv: 0 minutes
Raspberry Pi Shutdown: Disabled
Shutdown-Timer: 10 seconds
Powerfail Warning: Enabled
Serial-Less Mabled
Battery-Level Shutdown: Disabled
FirmwareVersion: v1.5
>

After the update of the firmware, reboot of the Raspberry and a walk through over the configuration I managed to get it working. I've connected a 12V power supply to the Wide Range input and the Raspberry keeps working (no shutdown). The StromPi3_Status python script is now also working, see output below.
pi@openplotter:~ $ sudo python StromPi3_Status.py
---------------------------------
StromPi-Status:
---------------------------------
Time: 00:02:32
Date: Tuesday 01.05.18
StromPi-Mode: Wide -> mUSB
WakeUp-Alarm: Disabled
Alarm-Mode: Time-Alarm
Alarm-Time: 00:00
Alarm-Date: 01:01
WakeUp-Alarm: Monday
PowerOff-Alarm: Disabled
PowerOff-Alarm-Time: 00:00
Raspberry Pi Shutdown: Disabled
Shutdown-Timer: 10 seconds
Powerfail Warning: Enabled
Serial-Less Mode: Disabled
Interval-Alarm: Disabled
Interval-On-Time: 00 minutes
Interval-Off-Time: 00 minutes
Battery-Level Shutdown: Disabled
Firmware Version: v1.5
---------------------------------
Voltage-Levels:
---------------------------------
Wide-Range-Inputvoltage: 12.158V
LifePo4-Batteryvoltage: not connected
microUSB-Inputvoltage: not connected
Output-Voltage: 5.119V
pi@openplotter:~ $

Hi Rene,
Glad to see it's working now. Have fun with the StromPi 3. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
Best regards
Nils (Joy-IT)