Power T-Beam without USB?

Builds / Use Cases
1

I’d like to add a fixed node on a tree (since I live on the ground floor and the tree is the only access to higher elevation that I currently have). My plan is to run +12v up the tree and use a step down converter to +5v. I’d like to keep the ability to charge an 18650, in case the power goes out. USB takes too much space and does not provide good connection in my opinion.

If I supply +5V to the 5V pin, is it going to charge the battery? The path on the PCB doesn’t seem to go to the same place as the USB +5V trace. But I don’t really know as I can’t find any schematics online.

Has anyone powered T-Beam like this?

2

You did not mention which type of Tbeam you own.
But follow this link and you find all the documentation including schematics.

3

I have “TTGO T-Beam V1.1”, so I believe it’s the SX1262 from github.
Unfortunately the schematic doesn’t answer my question because The +5V gpio pin is not on it (verified by checking manually as well as Ctrl-F “5v”). But a multimeter answered my question - the 5V GPIO is not directly connected to any of the USB pins.

4

When looking at the schematic, the 5V connection on the Tbeam V1 board is labeled VSYS and seems to be a 5V output and also a 5V input because it is connected to pins 38+39 IPSOUT , pin_44 Vin1, pin_7 Vin2 and pin_14 Vin3. (APX192 pins)
Also it looks like your battery will not be charged when using the 5V as your power input…

But I have not tried it out so do not blame me if you damage your board this way.
If I were you, i would use the micro-USB as the power input.

5

Thank you for checking that. Looks like that’s the only way.