Hi,
I am working on Powering a Pi Zero with the RAK2245 running ChirpstackOS base. Everything works fine when the Pi is powered through the USB cable which provides 5v. Incidentally, I have measured the draw at 5V. For information, a Pi Zero W will pull about 120mA. With the RAK2245 header, it looks more like 400mA, which is quite an increase.
The RAK2245 datasheet does claim that it works at 3.3v or 5v so in theory what I am proposing could be feasible (https://docs.rakwireless.com/Product-Categories/WisLink/RAK2245-Pi-HAT/Datasheet/).
In terms of how I am powering them, is by connecting wires directly to the Pi. If you look at the image below. I have highlighted how I am attaching the battery to Pin 1 (3.3v) and 39 (GND)
As a result of attaching power to these pins, those two pins are no longer going into the RAK2245 header. This should be fine… I think. The pinout here:
suggests that while those pins are being used, the RAK2245 header should still get 3.3v power through pin 17 and ground through a number of other ground pins.
Regardless, the concentrator header does not work through the 3.3v methods I am using. I does however work when power is coming through 5v. When I mean that it is not working, I mean that the error messages are consistent with something that appears to be miswired or disconnected. An example has been described here: Concentratord on Rpi3 with RAK2245 HAT
Is there anything really obvious that I am missing?
Thanks so much for your time