Tinker Thoughts Blog
Welcome to the Tinker Thoughts Blog — hands-on projects, practical tutorials, and insightful tips in the maker and electronics space. We dive into a wide range of topics including Internet of Things (IoT), electronics troubleshooting, home automation, rapid prototyping, and RF communication. You’ll also find detailed guides on 3D printing custom enclosures and PCB mounts, as well as experiments in electrical circuits, embedded systems, and other DIY innovations. Whether you're a hobbyist, engineer, or curious tinkerer, you'll find inspiration and technical depth here.
TTB #17: Li-Po & Li-Ion Battery Charging Calculator with BQ24074
This calculator helps with Li-Po and Li-Ion single cell batteries by providing key charging values based on the BQ24074. It calculates charging current, termination current, and a suggested battery capacity. The goal is to make datasheet information easier to apply in practical designs. By entering a few parameters, you can see the values needed to set up or check a charging circuit. This tool is intended for straightforward reference and reduces the need to work through the equations manually. It is suited for anyone working with single cell battery charging using the BQ24074 or similar ICs.
TTB #17: Li-Po & Li-Ion Battery Charging Calculator with BQ24074
This calculator helps with Li-Po and Li-Ion single cell batteries by providing key charging values based on the BQ24074. It calculates charging current, termination current, and a suggested battery capacity. The goal is to make datasheet information easier to apply in practical designs. By entering a few parameters, you can see the values needed to set up or check a charging circuit. This tool is intended for straightforward reference and reduces the need to work through the equations manually. It is suited for anyone working with single cell battery charging using the BQ24074 or similar ICs.
TTB #16: Measuring the Current Draw on BMP280 Sensor Module
In this post, we measure the current draw of the BMP280/BME280 sensor modules in Normal Mode and Forced Mode using the Nordic PPK2 for precise readings. In Normal Mode, the sensor remains active, averaging 421.94µA continuously. In Forced Mode, the BMx280 enters deep sleep between readings, producing sharp bursts of ~627µA for only 12.38ms and averaging just 3.45µA at a 2-second interval — with deep sleep currents as low as 0.52µA. We used our custom BMx280 Arduino library, optimized for single-burst reads, to achieve these results. This design minimizes I²C/SPI bus time, supports both BMP280 and BME280, and offers simple...
TTB #16: Measuring the Current Draw on BMP280 Sensor Module
In this post, we measure the current draw of the BMP280/BME280 sensor modules in Normal Mode and Forced Mode using the Nordic PPK2 for precise readings. In Normal Mode, the sensor remains active, averaging 421.94µA continuously. In Forced Mode, the BMx280 enters deep sleep between readings, producing sharp bursts of ~627µA for only 12.38ms and averaging just 3.45µA at a 2-second interval — with deep sleep currents as low as 0.52µA. We used our custom BMx280 Arduino library, optimized for single-burst reads, to achieve these results. This design minimizes I²C/SPI bus time, supports both BMP280 and BME280, and offers simple...
![TTB #15: [Guest Post] Getting Started with the ESP32 microWatt Making IoT Projects](http://ptsolns.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blog_Cover_58d34d59-679b-41f5-8cb0-eb27ca228286.jpg?v=1756910069&width=533)
TTB #15: [Guest Post] Getting Started with the ESP32 microWatt Making IoT Projects
PTSolns partnered with Jameco Electronics to create a two-part guest blog series, “Getting Started with the ESP32 microWatt.” Part 1 covers installing the Arduino IDE, setting up the ESP32 microWatt development environment, and running your first sketches to confirm hardware and software communication. Part 2 expands into using the ESP32 microWatt’s built-in Wi-Fi, versatile GPIO pins, and sensor integration to build practical IoT applications. From weather stations to smart home projects, this beginner-friendly guide provides step-by-step instructions to help makers, engineers, and educators confidently work with the ESP32 microWatt microcontroller for electronics prototyping, embedded systems, and connected device development.
TTB #15: [Guest Post] Getting Started with the ESP32 microWatt Making IoT Projects
PTSolns partnered with Jameco Electronics to create a two-part guest blog series, “Getting Started with the ESP32 microWatt.” Part 1 covers installing the Arduino IDE, setting up the ESP32 microWatt development environment, and running your first sketches to confirm hardware and software communication. Part 2 expands into using the ESP32 microWatt’s built-in Wi-Fi, versatile GPIO pins, and sensor integration to build practical IoT applications. From weather stations to smart home projects, this beginner-friendly guide provides step-by-step instructions to help makers, engineers, and educators confidently work with the ESP32 microWatt microcontroller for electronics prototyping, embedded systems, and connected device development.
TTB #14: Testing the 3.3V Pin of Popular Nano Dev Boards
In this post, we compare the 3.3V pin performance of three Nano-style development boards under two load conditions: 50 mA and 100 mA. We measure voltage quality and temperature rise using a precise resistive load, oscilloscope, and thermal camera. Each board is scored across five categories, including current rating, voltage quality, and temperature rise. Despite similar pinouts, the boards show major differences in performance. One board stands out with superior voltage regulation, higher current capacity, and lower temperature rise under load, making it the top choice for reliable 3.3V rail applications.
TTB #14: Testing the 3.3V Pin of Popular Nano Dev Boards
In this post, we compare the 3.3V pin performance of three Nano-style development boards under two load conditions: 50 mA and 100 mA. We measure voltage quality and temperature rise using a precise resistive load, oscilloscope, and thermal camera. Each board is scored across five categories, including current rating, voltage quality, and temperature rise. Despite similar pinouts, the boards show major differences in performance. One board stands out with superior voltage regulation, higher current capacity, and lower temperature rise under load, making it the top choice for reliable 3.3V rail applications.
TTB #13: PCB Trace Width Calculator with Plot
The PCB Trace Width Calculator uses IPC-2221 to estimate trace width, resistance, voltage drop, and power loss for internal and external PCB layers. It supports unit selection, graphing, and quick approximations—ideal for early-stage design and educational use.
TTB #13: PCB Trace Width Calculator with Plot
The PCB Trace Width Calculator uses IPC-2221 to estimate trace width, resistance, voltage drop, and power loss for internal and external PCB layers. It supports unit selection, graphing, and quick approximations—ideal for early-stage design and educational use.
TTB #12: Non-Compliant Use of CH340 V3 Pin: Deep Dive for Engineers
In this technical deep dive, we examine the CH340 USB-to-serial converter and a curious V3 pin configuration used by SparkFun. While the CH340 datasheet specifies tying V3 to VCC in 3.3V mode, SparkFun connects it only to a capacitor—seemingly a violation. Through bench tests, we found the internal LDO enters dropout mode at 3.3V, allowing V3 to stay near VCC as long as no external current is drawn. This explains why SparkFun’s CH340 design remains reliable. We validate their approach and confirm its safe use in our own CH340C-based products, including our upcoming board.
TTB #12: Non-Compliant Use of CH340 V3 Pin: Deep Dive for Engineers
In this technical deep dive, we examine the CH340 USB-to-serial converter and a curious V3 pin configuration used by SparkFun. While the CH340 datasheet specifies tying V3 to VCC in 3.3V mode, SparkFun connects it only to a capacitor—seemingly a violation. Through bench tests, we found the internal LDO enters dropout mode at 3.3V, allowing V3 to stay near VCC as long as no external current is drawn. This explains why SparkFun’s CH340 design remains reliable. We validate their approach and confirm its safe use in our own CH340C-based products, including our upcoming board.