SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

ovrebekk — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 13:30:39 GMT

Ok, I will consider this case resolved then.

Best of luck getting the new Adafruit holders to work ;)

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

arthare — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:48:13 GMT

Confirmed that my SD card holder was the issue - it was intended for Arduino use, and on a re-read of its Amazon listing, proudly indicates that its power input takes 5V. I'll have to find a 3.3V-compatible one.

My new adafruit ones are here and are also being challenging, but I'm sure it's a separate issue.

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

ovrebekk — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 07:35:02 GMT

OK. Thanks a lot for sharing your details. I am sure getting a decent SD card shield/breakout board should help with performance and reliability.

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

arthare — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 13:56:57 GMT

No, it seems the low SPI freq is necessary to get it running at 5V, but I'm still completely unsuccessful at 2.9V no matter what I try.

I also tried running the board off a stronger PSU in case my PC's USB port was causing low current issues, and it also didn't get the card running on 2.9V.

I'm about to order a bunch of adafruit HW kits that'll let me get everything connected with far better wiring - right now my app can run for an hour on my desk, but crashes within 30 seconds while moving, which hints I've got some loose connectors.

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

ovrebekk — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 08:20:09 GMT

So you where able to get it to run at 2.9V by using slower SPI frequency?

Best regards
Torbjørn

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

arthare — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:47:31 GMT

The sticker on it says: PCA10040, 1.2.4, 2018.44, S/N 682043925.

Notably for a future reader: the SPI frequency reductions were necessary (at least for now with my long wires), as I later tried to ramp them back up and it would no longer find the SD Card.

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

ovrebekk — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:07:54 GMT

According to this overview the valid range is 2.7-3.6V, so it does sound a bit risky to power it from the 5V line. It is also a bit weird that 2.9V is not enough, but different cards might have slightly different limitations.

Can you confirm which DK you are using?
There is a protection diode on the kit that can be shorted to get the VDD line closer to 3.3V.

Best regards
Torbjørn

RE: SDCard / FatFS Example Problem (and partial solution)

arthare — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:23:28 GMT

The solution for me was to power it off the 5V line on the dev board instead of the VDD line like the docs suggested.

My multimeter indicated the VDD line was only supplying 2.9V from the dev board, but the example docs suggested it should've had 3.3V

However, I'm unsure if this is "correct" - am I going to fry my SD Card? Should 2.9V have been enough?