I have a XM that is overloading my 1.5A regulator without any devices
connected to the XM's USB ports.
I would like to be able to use the USB ports, but do not need these to
be powered. I don't need to do anything exotic with my XM; it is just
running as an ubuntu server with ethernet, serial, and USB. All other
headers/ports aren't needed. I'm surprised it's trying to consume so
much power with nothing connected.
Before I get into soldering jumpers, writing scripts etc, I was
wondering if there were simple ways to get power consumption under 1A?
All the posts that I find on power management seem old and a little
cryptic. Is there an easy-to-follow write-up somewhere?
1.5A on a system without any USB or other devices attached is just not right
Most of the time, a BB without any USB devices can work on USB power (500mA)
quite normally
Lioric
> Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:38:03 -0800
> Subject: [beagleboard] Easy/Quick ways to lower XM power consumption
<1A???
> From: leehonan@gmail.com
> To: beagleboard@googlegroups.com
>
> Hi,
>
> I have a XM that is overloading my 1.5A regulator without any devices
> connected to the XM's USB ports.
>
> I would like to be able to use the USB ports, but do not need these to
> be powered. I don't need to do anything exotic with my XM; it is just
> running as an ubuntu server with ethernet, serial, and USB. All other
> headers/ports aren't needed. I'm surprised it's trying to consume so
> much power with nothing connected.
I don't think the BB is consuming 1.5 A. It would fry.
I've personally come across three switched mode power supplies that
would no longer provide the full output current. In each case,
replacing the power supply brought the main equipment back to full
normal operation.
You may have another instance of the same sort of fault.
I would try disconnecting the serial port and seeing what happens.
Sometimes some strange current path forms through this port and could generate problems.
I had a badly grounded power supply and the board would take up to 7A!!! Most of them flowing through the serial wire. The wire was actually hot to the touch when I discovered the problem.
It turns out I was wrong - the XM is not consuming 1.5A. I need to
measure it with an ammeter, but the problem is actually with my DC
step-down conversion that I am using to power the XM (from ~13.5V to
5V). It turns out that this is causing my Micrel 29152 regs to
overheat and go into thermal shutdown. I will find a way to solve
that.
Nonetheless, I am building a remote/off-grid system that includes the
XM, and would like to ensure that the XM is not consuming power
unnecessarily. Is there any guide etc that you'd recommend?