Supply voltage of seek thermal compact iOS

[Oldclunker6625]

The iOS version is running at 3.3v.
Measured at the flex cable from lightning plug inside the camera to the PCB on a seek compact iOS.
it could be risky to supply it with 5v from USB OTG. the lightning plug doesn't contain a voltage regulator.
The camera PCB contains an ID chip to talk to the iPhone and request proper configuration of the lightning port.
The iPhone supplies 3.3V to the camera.
Overvoltage can reduce the life span of the semiconductors significantly.
From decades to hours or just seconds.
Not sure if your micro USB adapter contains a 3.3V voltage regulator. Mine didn't.
I had to add one myself. It costs only 50 cents. It's working fine now, and I have peace of mind.
I used a very good double shielded USB micro B cable of 1m length.
I could imagine that a genuine Seek camera for Android has a voltage regulator built into the USB micro plug.

[felixsys]

The Seek Compact series is compatible up to Iphone XR, after that the camera will no longer work with your phone.
We have tested three different xr compact cameras with the iPhone 11, 12 and 13 and the software does not recognize the camera.
The latest version of the IOS application. is over 4 years old.
No updates, no alternative software. (Maybe they fired their IOS developer)

That's why you can find Seek compact IOS / Apple on ebay for really cheap.

Iphone + SeekThermal is not a good choice.
FLIR support is much better.

Or .. the solution is to have an old Iphone.

[Oldclunker6625]

I am using it on iPhone 8 and iPhone 11 (European/German versions if in doubt) with the latest iOS version 15.2 and latest Seek App version. With my homemade microUSB adapter, it works with a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 GT-N5100 from 2012 under Android KitKat 4.4 and the latest Android Seek App.
Sorry to hear that you have such problems :/

[gabiz_ro]

Not sure on what you say.
OTG function provide 5V
On Compact Pro for Apple (but board are identical for Android devices) I measured 2.8V for SPI memory and 2.2 if I my memory is OK for LPC43S30
LPC43S30 max voltage is 3.6V
Camera works fine connected to PC at 5V on USB

Seek Thermal app is the same for all and latest version 2.2.8.0 is from Jul 16, 2021  on appstore

[Oldclunker6625]

I rephrased my original post from January 09, 2022, 04:57:08 pm to make it more clear.

[gabiz_ro]

Since I only have Compact Pro, can't be sure about other model but I don't think is different.
OTG standard is 5V

Agree,lightning plug contains only some chip to enable OTG function on Apple devices. And micro USB just a short on pins 4-5 to enable OTG in devices,also USB-C variant,required 5.1K resistors to enable same OTG function.
No voltage regulator inside any plug,lightning,microUSB or USB-C

5V from USB or OTG go to step down regulators,on board.
One TPS62560 (2x3 pins package on left side) and another one is that 2x2 pins on right side of LPC.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/seek-compactxr/

After I added missing 337S3959 on Android version I can use it on iPhone.
And iPhone supply 5V on OTG.
Look at chain iPhone OTG cable,USB volt-amper meter,USB-C female adapter,micro USB to USB-C adapter.




 

[Oldclunker6625]

here is a photo of the Seek Compact inside.

I soldered the red and black wires to measure the voltage.
Under iOS, it is 3.3V. iPhone 11.
Lightning interface is not just a USB, it is configurable by the ID chip in the accessory. It is not simply USB OTG.
I can imagine that the ID chip requests 3.3V instead of 5V.
Therefore, I added a 3.3V external regulator to my adapter cable for USB OTG micro-B.
Since the Smartphone runs from a Lithium battery, it needs to turn on a DC/DC boost converter to generate 5V. Why would you do that if 3.3V is sufficient to begin with? The camera consumes a lot of current. It is also a matter of thermal design of the LDO to generate 3.3V from 5V. And a matter of battery life.

[IwuzBornanerd]

That is the same pwb part number and revision that is in my non-pro Seeks.  On that board, the voltage from the USB is connected to 2 semiconductor parts-- a 3.3V regulator that supplies the processor & memory and a 2.8V regulator that supplies the sensor.  If the stupidphone for some reason decides to supply 3.3V, the on-board 3.3V regulator will be out of regulation, but that may not cause any problems.  The 2.8V regulator has been determined to be an LP5907 from TI which is rated for 5.5V input and has a low dropout spec. of (typically) 120mV, so it should be okay with either 5V or 3.3V from the USB.

Adding another 3.3V regulator is not necessary.

[bdc2u]

Hello!
I have a Seek Thermal Compact Imaging Camera that is showing the image with lines only. Anyone have any clue what could be doing this?
Thanks

PS: Sorry idk if i'm posting this in the right forum place.