DS-72-40 Datasheet, PDF (16/17 Pages) Cymbet Corporation – EnerChip™ CC Energy Harvester Evaluation Kit

CBC-EVAL-10B EnerChip CC EH Evaluation Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
I am not sure if I have enough input power to charge the EnerChip batteries?
A:
Measure the voltage on pin 1 of header connector J7. If the voltage is 4.1V, the EnerChips (and
external rechargeable battery connected to J7, if any) are being charged. If the voltage is not
4.1V (+/- 50mV), there is insufficient power to charge the batteries.
Q:
What if I short-circuit the output?
A:
The disconnect circuit will disconnect the EnerChip devices from the output after the capacitor is
discharged below about 3.0V. This prevents the EnerChips from being discharged
too deeply. The EnerChip cell will automatically reconnect after the capacitor is recharged.
Q:
What happens if I want to run a larger pulse current application?
A:
See application note AN-1025. The output capacitor can be sized to drive almost any load as long as
the duration is not too long. AN-1025 describes how to calculate the capacitor size.
Q:
What happens if the EnerChip is short-circuited? Will it explode or leak harmful chemicals?
A:
No. There are no harmful chemicals to leak and the energy storage cells will not explode.
Q:
How long will the CBC-EVAL-10B module operate with no ambient light?
A:
This depends on many factors, including load power consumption, EnerChip state-of-charge, operating
temperature, etc. The EnerChips on the CBC51100 module provide 100µAh of discharge capacity
when fully charged.
Q:
How long will the CBC-EVAL-10 module last if I use it every day and input power is available most of the
time?
A:
The CBC-EVAL-10 module should last at least 10 years.
Q:
How long will the two EnerChips on the CBC51100 module hold a charge, assuming no input power?
A:
The self-discharge of the EnerChip is a function of several parameters, including temperature. Self-
discharge specifications can be found in the product data sheets at http://www.cymbet.com/content/
products-resource-docs.asp.
Q:
What happens if the EnerChip is left in a discharged state for a long period of time?
A:
Leaving the EnerChip in a discharged state is not detrimental to its performance.
Q:
I see no voltage on VOUT.
A:
Make sure there is sufficient input power to operate the CBC3150 charge pump and that the output is
not short-circuited.
Q:
Will the CBC-EVAL-10B disconnect the EnerChips before they become too deeply depleted?
A:
Yes, the CBC3150 on the daughter board of the CBC-EVAL-10B has a cutoff circuit that will prevent the
EnerChips from being damaged due to over-discharge. However, repeatedly operating the system in a mode
that allows the cutoff circuit to be invoked at deep discharge will cause premature capacity fade and shorter
product life. If it is anticipated that the low voltage cutoff point will be reached, such as when you are planning
to ship a charged product, it is better to put the system into a high power mode to force cutoff at a higher state-
of-charge, thereby prolonging the life of the EnerChips and allowing the product to arrive in a charged state for
a better out-of-box experience.
©2014 Cymbet Corporation • Tel: [phone] • www.cymbet.com
DS-72-40 Rev C

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