Easy build self balancing electric skateboard

Step 49 Additional Improvements (1)

There are many ways to potentially improve this project, here are just a few

Powering the Arduino
Using a 9V battery to power the Arduino is quick and simple. However it won't actually last that long and when it runs out you may fall off!

A better option therefore is to use a commonly available voltage regulator to convert the 24V from main batteries to a little over the 7V the Arduino needs and run it that way.

The problem is that to go from a big voltage to a much lower one means the voltage regulator generates a lot of heat and may need a heat sink. My batteries are already a little on the small side so I looked for a more efficient way to do this.

A solution does exist; it is called a Tracopower TSR 1-2490. This particular one puts out 9V which is fine for the Arduino. The way it works is very clever but it is very efficient and generates almost no heat.

Similar devices exist to power radio receivers in R/C aircraft from the main batteries, but the one I have used is small and reasonably priced.