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supercap power:


Supercaps are an interesting option for node power. They've got lots of tradeoffs to consider.
Since voltage can get quite low while still having energy available, use of a very low voltage boost
regulator is probably going to be necessary, in combination with a low voltage shutdown/recovery board.


+ virtually unlimited charge cycle count
+ can run them all the way down to 0 volts no problem
+ charges fine in cold weather
+ capable of outrageously high current (a feature that's probably not useful for mesh nodes)

- typical 2.7v charge level may require adjustments to your circuitry
- balanced charging is absolutely required if stacked in series (overvolt risks explosion)
- energy stored electrostatically instead of chemically, so voltage drops continuously as energy is consumed
- a significant amount of energy capacity may be unusable due to voltage dropping to an unusable level
- significantly lower energy density when compared to lipo battery (lots more space for same energy)
- much higher cost for same energy as lipo battery


0.9 to 3.7 or 5v (in boost)


supercaps (in capacitors)



last updated 12/10/2025 at 16:26:21 by make_www_index.command version 2025.11.05.A