Powering sparkles from outputs

[mscull]

Hi,

I’m currently working out how to deploy some crumbles in a school and am keen to simplify it all as far as possible.

In a quest to eliminate batteries (and associated issues), I see that sparkles can be powered from an output (tested with A). Is this likely to damage the crumble? I see no specs on sparkle power draw or output current.

Thanks,

Mat

[Joseph]

Hi Mat,

You shouldn’t damage the Crumble by powering a Sparkle from an output. Each output has a series resistor to limit the current in the event of a short (it also means a standard LEDs can be connected directly). When the Sparkle is set to white at max brightness, it will draw about 50mA. If it’s powered from an output, then it will only be able to pull about 15mA. This will effect the brightness and colour (white appears slightly yellow-pink, because blue is affected more).

Hope this is helpful.

Joseph

[mscull]

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for the reply. Is more current available at the motor outputs?

Ta,

Mat

[Joseph]

Hi Mat,

The motor outputs also need batteries to run (i.e. they won’t take power from USB).

Joseph

[mscull]

Ok, thanks for that.

[Author]

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