This post is an update of the second part of my Moto server series: https://lemmy.zip/post/72142441
Rumor has it that keeping an 8-year-old phone permanently plugged in with its equally ancient Li-ion battery might not be the greatest idea ever conceived.
Some even claimed that a phone needs a battery to work.
Very negative people.
Anyway, I removed it.
Pettyl did not care.
nginx: UP PHP-FPM: UP MariaDB: UP WordPress: UP cloudflared: UP sshd: UP
The battery is currently sitting next to the phone, contributing absolutely nothing to the project.
Pettyl is now running entirely from USB power, at around 37°C, while continuing to serve the website like this is completely normal.
There is, however, one tiny detail the haters may enjoy:
It can’t boot without the battery.
So the official Pettyl disaster recovery procedure is now:
- Insert battery
- Boot Pettyl
- Connect USB power
- Remove battery
- Pretend this is enterprise infrastructure
The battery is no longer a battery.
It is the starter motor.
I see no problems with this architecture.
Anyway, Part 3 is going great.
This is so cool you’ve actually inspired me to try out the same thing. Ive just finished setting up port forwarding and got the nginx page, but this has been fun as my first time hosting a website
Now plug the phone into a UPS so if the power goes out you’re good for awhile.
This is obviously ridiculous.
So I’ll do it.
I’m honoured to have my idea contributed to this project!
Your contribution is noted and landed you a new position at Pettyl Industries!
I graciously accept the position of Chief Energy Officer! Thank you!
We are glad to inform you that your application to the USS Enterprise Engineering Department has been accepted!
Please do not turn Admiral Archer’s beagle inside-out on day one and refrain from creating perpetual energy machines, sapient missiles or sexbots until you have undegone the requisite HR training and completed your schedule of immunisations.
When the battery in my wall mounted android tablet swelled i had to add a 10k resistor to the sense line, inject the 5V directly into the battery port and add a few capacitors to get it to work. But at least it won’t cause a fire now.
Perhaps replace its aging battery with a new one. Then you have a built in UPS for ideal disaster recovery
Nah, an actual UPS with 7kg batteries is way cooler.
But I really appreciate the feedback!
Perhaps then some solar power as well. I think those ecoflow battery + solar can act as UPS too. Could power that server indefinitely 😂
Now we’re speaking the same language!
Can you get a second identical phone. Or a third? I’m thinking perhaps load balancing and failover
Maybe not an identical one, but I did find an interesting Note 9 for around $40…
I guess this is foreshadowing…
Definitely take the battery out of that one
Yeah, for 40 bucks I get a phone with good specs and a free pillow!
Inefficient tungsten gravity batteries are so cool tho
Well… I was obviously wrong. Sorry.
Don’t know if my knowledge was just outdated or plain wrong from the start, but good on you for still trying and respect for pulling that off.
You are absolutely fine!
People here, including you, have been very respectful and thoughtful, and I am all for feedback.
I don’t have the knowledge of the whole universe, do I? So please, by all means, I want to hear your critiques, it makes the project better and I learn along the way!
AFAIK it depends on the device. I believe it’s simpler to have a battery management system which keeps the battery charged when power is attached, and then a second separate system which powers the phone from the battery. That does lead to more wear on the battery though, so the better solution is to have a power management system which monitors the battery and keeps it within a set charge range, and additionally can supply the voltage needed to run the phone. Only when power is not connected does the battery power the phone.
From a quick google though, it seems that’s only part of the picture. High-end modern phones will often require a battery present, as they use it to smooth out the power coming from the adapter, even though most of the power for the phone when the charger is attached comes from a direct power path.
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DO NOT skip step 5. It is VERY IMPORTANT.
I have a simillar setup but i kept the battery it acts like a ups
in my experience phone batteries plugged 24/7 will increase in size
Sweet. Free capacity increase
also: free temperature increase :)
It not plugged in 24/7. It runs 1.5 days without charging so no issue.
Can you wire the USB power to the battery contacts…?
It sounds like a good idea until you remember that USB provides 5V and the battery contacts are designed for a Li-ion battery and its management circuitry.
Wiring USB directly to the battery contacts would basically be like noticing your car runs on petrol and pouring it directly into the engine instead of the fuel tank. The general concept of “engine needs fuel” is technically correct. The implementation leaves something to be desired.
The USB port and the phone’s power-management circuitry exist for a reason, and bypassing them could damage the phone or make it behave in exciting new ways.
A properly regulated dummy battery, however, might actually work. Unfortunately, that means I now have another terrible idea to investigate.
Yeah yeah, the project is cool… but can we talk about those absolutely banging tunes?
Is the moto serving them? Please say yes.
Lol, indeed. The music is stored on the Motorola, and it’s being served by the Motorola.
And thanks for the compliment about my music! The mix is shit, but on the other hand, it was made by my own two hands — no AI involved.Well…if you’re looking for an idea for the second moto phone… can I suggest “Google in a box”
How many “Google-like” services could your phone server serve at the same time?
- Google Photos <-> PiGallery2
- Google Keep <-> Memos
- Google Drive <-> Syncthing
- Google Calendar <-> Radicale
- Google Contacts <-> Radicale
- Google Tasks <-> Radicale
- YouTube Music <-> Navidrome
- Google Password Manager <-> Vaultwarden
- Google Reader <-> FreshRSS
- Chrome bookmarks <-> linkding
- Google Analytics <-> GoatCounter
And, if it still has RAM left:
- Google Docs <-> Etherpad
- Google Search <-> 4get
How far can 1 GB actually go?
Great idea! Just can’t promise I get everything setup any time soon lol. But I will try for sure.
Well you better go catch it!
I just have to say, I really enjoy your writing style. Fun project, great post!
Thank you for the kind words 🎩
I wonder if my pixel 7 pro that dies suddenly can do the same. I suspect the battery just packed up
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Why not connecting the battery with a cable and put a switch in it?
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Remember bezels?
