Are you looking for a way to accurately monitor battery state-of-charge and health in your Arduino or STM32 projects? The Texas Instruments BQ34Z100 is a powerful battery fuel gauge IC that communicates via I2C, making it perfect for DIY battery-powered systems, robots, or energy projects.
In this multi-part tutorial series, you’ll learn step-by-step how to connect, program, and configure the BQ34Z100 using Arduino or STM32 microcontrollers.
What is the BQ34Z100?
The BQ34Z100 is a highly accurate battery fuel gauge chip from Texas Instruments. It can estimate remaining battery capacity, state-of-charge, and other key battery metrics—ideal for lithium, lead-acid, or other chemistries. Using I2C, you can easily interface this chip with microcontrollers like Arduino or STM32, giving your project smart battery management features.
Why Use BQ34Z100 with Arduino or STM32?
- Reliable battery readings: Get real-time, precise info about your battery’s voltage, capacity, and health.
- I2C interface: Simple 2-wire connection that’s supported on both Arduino and STM32 platforms.
- Versatile: Supports a wide range of battery chemistries and pack sizes.
What Will This Series Cover?
This five-part series will teach you everything you need to know:
- Part 1: Introduction and hardware setup (you are here)
- Part 2: Wiring the BQ34Z100 to Arduino/STM32 via I2C
- Part 3: Reading data from the chip using Arduino or STM32 code examples
- Part 4: Configuring battery parameters for your specific pack
- Part 5: Advanced tips, troubleshooting, and real-world integration
Get Ready: What You Need
For this series, you’ll need:
- A BQ34Z100 module or breakout board
- An Arduino (Uno, Mega, Nano, etc.) or STM32 development board
- Jumper wires and a breadboard
- (Optional) Battery pack for real data readings
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover how to wire the BQ34Z100 to your Arduino or STM32 and get started with I2C communication!
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