What options do I have to get 5v on my current project?

Question

I'm very new to arduino and have started work on my first project, a simple little web server. I'm using a NodeMCU with an sd card module and screen. The issue is that in order to power my sd card module, I need to input 5V which the MCU doesn't provide.

In order to work around this I'm simply using an arduino nano as a power supply to pass into the vin input on the mcu.

What options do I have to exclude the need for the nano? Is there a simple module I can buy that acts as a power supply for 5v?

Any help would be great, thanks!

Answer 1

SD cards require 3.3V. Usually, to connect them to an Arduino running at 5V you need to get a level converter. However in your case it sounds like you are making work for yourself:

3.3V <--> 5V <--> 3.3V

in order to power my sd card module, I need to input 5V

Which SD card module? Maybe you don't need a "module".

Answer 2

The others write that the card needs 3.3V. Your module need 5V. This means that between the input of the module and the sd card is something. it can be a voltage regulator or something like a voltage dropper (resistor in series with diodes). You can search for it on your module. If you are sure you found it you can solder a bridge around it. After this you can give 3.3V to this module.

I think this must work.

Answer 3

To supplement; if you don’t have a level converter on hand, have a look at this diagram: http://homediyelectronics.com/projects/arduino/seriallevelconverter/

Just test it on a breadboard, and if Vcc, Rx and Tx are within 10% of 3.3V, solder it to a bit of perfboard. Haven’t needed to build one myself, since these come in tiny SMD packages which cost almost nothing: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202151474158

... Are you sure your SD module isn’t 5V tolerant? All mine step down 5V to ~3.3V.