XIAO ESP32C6 keeps frying when charging

Products & Technology
#1

I have the XIAO ESP32C6 connected to a 3.7v lipo battery using the battery terminals on the bottom. The rest of the circuit is nothing out of the ordinary. When i charge the battery by plugging in a USB-C connector to the XIAO, the red light blinks (which is good as it means the battery is charging) but eventually the ESP32C6 stops functioning and turns out to be fried (unrecognizable by my computer even though I try bootloader mode). This happened twice already. Anyone have any ideas what is going on?

EDIT: my circuit does not use the GND pin on the XIAO, as the ground in my circuit connects to the battery negative terminal on the bottom of the XIAO. I assume that the GND pin and the battery negative terminal are internally connected, right? Do i need to connect the ground of my circuit to the GND pin as well? I doubt this is causing the issue but it’s worth a mention.

#2

Hi there,
Well without a schematic or photo of this apparatus I would say Yes, You’re probably sinking the GND current through the LOW on a GPIO and Killing the MUX , hence killing strapping and booting and probably the ENAble pin. i.e Toast or Xiao=NULL or Permanent SLEEP mode. :face_with_peeking_eye: :sleeping:
20ma. is the max current with GPIO12 & 13 being 40Ma. capable (but also D+ D- ) usb pins.
Are you powering anything on the Xiao’s 5V pin? or 3.3 pin?
HTH
GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

#3

thanks for the help boss. I can’t really post my schematic because the project is confidential, although the setup isn’t really anything out of the ordinary. I’m not using the 5v or 3.3v pin and in fact nothing is connected to anything on the ESPC6 but for the BAT- BAT+ and two of the digital pins. So are you saying that I should also connect my ground to the GND pin in addition to the BAT- pin? I can try that once I receive my additional XIAO’s from Amazon since I fried the two that I have :slight_smile: :slightly_smiling_face:

@Seeed_Harrison Can you confirm that the BAT- and GND are internally connected on the XIAO ESP32C6? in other words, if something is connected to the BAT- terminal on the bottom of the chip, is that the same as connecting it to the GND pin or should I also connect to the GND pin in addition to the BAT-? Thanks.

#4

Yes. According to the schematic of XIAO ESP32C6, GND (in the 7*2 pins) and BAT- (on the backside) is actually connected together.

#5

Thanks. I note that the Specification says the input voltage is “BAT:3.8V@9mA” , I am using a 3.7v lithium polymer battery, and lipo batteries actually have 4.2v when fully charged. Do you think this can be the issue?

#6

Hi jonesq,

If the COM port is simply not recognized, rather than a hardware failure, this method may work. This method must be executed correctly.

Is XIAO(It could be another expression) listed under Universal Serial Bus Devices in the Device Manager?
Note: not Ports (COM & LPT).

If not, this method does not work.

If so, right click XIAO and “Update Driver”

select “Browse my computer for drivers”

select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”

select “USB Serial Device”

click “Next”

If you are lucky, it will be restored.