Friday, October 24, 2014

Low Cost Universal Battery Charger Schematic

Low cost solution for charging of both NiCd and NiMh batteries
Here is the circuit diagram of a low cost universal charger for NiCD - NiMH batteries. This circuit is Ideal for car use. It has ability to transform a mains adapter in to a charger . This one can be used to charge cellular phone, toys, portables, video batteries, MP3 players, ... and has selectable charge current. An LED is located in circuit to indicate charging. Can be built on a general purpose PCB or a veroboard. I hope you really like it.
Picture of the circuit:a_low_cost_universal_charger circuit schematic_for_nicd_nimh_batteries 
 A Low Cost Universal Charger Circuit Schematic
Circuit diagram:
a_low_cost_universal_charger_circuit_diagram_for_nicd nimh batteries
A Low Cost Universal Charger Circuit Diagram
Parts:
R1 = 120R-0...5W
R2 = See Diagram
C1 = 220uF-35V
D1 = 1N4007
D2 = 3mm. LED
Q1 = BD135
J1 = DC Input Socket
Specs:
  • Ideal for in car use.
  • LED charge indication.
  • Selectable charge current.
  • Charges Ni Cd or NiMH batteries.
  • Transforms a mains adapter into a charger.
  • Charge cellular phone, toys, portables, video batteries …
Features:
  • LED function indication.
  • Power supply polarity protected.
  • Supply current: same as charge current.
  • Supply voltage: from 6.5VDC to 21VDC (depending on used battery)
  • Charge current (±20%): 50mA, 100mA, 200mA, 300mA, 400mA. (selectable)
Determining the supply voltage:
This table indicates the minimum and maximum voltages to supply the charger. See supply voltage selection chart below.
Example:
To charge a 6V battery a minimum supply voltage of 12V is needed, the maximum voltage is then 15V.
Voltage selection:

supply_voltages_selection_chart_for_ ow cost universal_battery Charger
Voltage Selection Chart For Low Cost Universal Battery Charger

Determining the charge current:
Before building the circuit, you must determinate how much current will be used to charge the battery or battery pack. It is advisable to charge the battery with a current that is 10 times smaller then the battery capacity, and to charge it for about 15 hours. If you double the charge current , then you can charge the battery in half the time. Charge current selection chart is located in diagram.

Example:
A battery pack of 6V / 1000mAh can be charged with 100mA during 15 hours. If you want to charge faster, then a charge current of 200mA can be used for about 7 hours.
Caution:
The higher charge current, the more critical the charge time must be checked. When faster charging is used, it is advisable to discharge the battery completely before charging. Using a charge current of 1/10 of the capacity will expand the lifetime of the battery. The charge time can easily be doubled without damaging the battery.
Note:
  • Mount the transistor together with the heatsink on the PCB, bend the leads as necessary. Take care that the metal back of the transistor touches the heatsink. Check that the leads of the transistor do not touch the heatsink.
Source : http://www.ecircuitslab.com
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IC 555 Design Note

The popular Timer IC 555 is extensively used in short duration timing applications. IC 555 is a highly stable integrated circuit functioning as an accurate time delay generator and free running multivibrator. But one of the serious problem in 555 timer design is the false triggering of the circuit at power on or when voltage changes. The article describes how IC555 is designed perfectly to avoid false triggering.

555 IC pin functions

Pin1 Ground
Pin2 Trigger
Pin3 Output
Pin 4 Reset
Pin 5 Control voltage
Pin 6 Threshold
Pin 7 Discharge
Pin 8 Vcc

Functional aspects of pins

Trigger Pin 2

Usually pin2 of the IC is held high by a pull up resistor connected to Vcc. When a negative going pulse is applied to pin 2, the potential at pin 2 falls below 1/3 Vcc and the flip-flop switches on. This starts the timing cycle using the resistor and capacitor connected to pins 6 and 7.

Reset pin 4

Reset pin 4 can be controlled to reset the timing cycle. If pin 4 is grounded, IC will not be triggered. When pin4 becomes positive, IC becomes ready to start the timing cycle. Reset voltage is typically 0.7 volts and reset current 0.1 mA. In timer applications, reset pin should be connected to Vcc to get more than 0.7 volts.

Control Voltage pin 5

Pin5 can be used to control the working of IC by providing a DC voltage at pin5. This permits the control of the timing cycle manually or electronically. In monostable operation, the control pin5 is connected to ground through a 0.01 uF capacitor. This prevents the timing interval from being affected by AC or RF interference. In the Astable mode, by applying a variable DC voltage at pin 5 can change the output pulses to FM or PWM.

Threshold pin 6 and Discharge pin 7

These two inputs are used to connect the timing components- Resistor and Capacitor. The threshold comparator inside the IC is referenced at 2/3 Vcc and the trigger comparator is referenced at 1/3 Vcc. These two comparators control the internal Flip-Flop of the circuit to give High or Low output at pin 3.When a negative going pulse is applied to pin 2, the potential at pin2 drops below 1/3 Vcc and the trigger comparator switches on the Flip-Flop. This turns the output high. The timing comparator then charges through the timing resistor and the voltage in the timing capacitor increases to 2/3 Vcc.( The time delay depends on the value of the resistor and capacitor.

That is, higher values, higher time).When the voltage level in the capacitor increases above 2/3 Vcc, the threshold comparator resets the Flip-Flop and the output turns low. Capacitor then discharges through pin 7.Once triggered, the IC will not responds to further triggering until the timing cycle is completed. The time delay period is calculated using the formula T= 1.1 Ct Rt. Where Ct is the value of Capacitor in PF and Rt is the value of Resistor in Ohms. Time is in Seconds.

How to eliminate false triggering?

The circuit diagram shown below is the simple monostable using IC 555. To eliminate the false triggering resistor R1 and Capacitor C1 are connected to the reset pin 4 of the IC. So the reset pin is always high even if the supply voltage changes. Moreover capacitor C3 connected close to the Vcc pin 8 acts as a buffer to maintain stable supply voltage to pin 8. Using this design, it is easy to avoid false triggering to a certain extent.

555 Monostable circuit

A ready recknor to select timing resistor and capacitor
Theoretically long interval is possible with IC 555,but in practical conditions, it is difficult to get more than 3 minutes. If low leakage Tantalum capacitor is used, this can be increased to 5 minutes or more. If the value of the timing capacitor is too high above 470 uF, charging time will be prolonged which will upset the timing cycle and the output remains high even after the desired time is over.
 
 
http://www.extremecircuits.net
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Solar Powered SLA Battery Maintenance

This circuit was designed to ‘baby-sit’ SLA (sealed lead-acid or ‘gel’) batteries using freely available solar power. SLA batteries suffer from relatively high internal energy loss which is not normally a problem until you go on holidays and disconnect them from their trickle current charger. In some cases, the absence of trickle charging current may cause SLA batteries to go completely flat within a few weeks. The circuit shown here is intended to prevent this from happening. Two 3-volt solar panels, each shunted by a diode to bypass them when no electricity is generated, power a MAX762 step-up voltage converter IC. 

Circuit diagram:
Solar Powered SLA Battery-Maintenance-Circuit-Diagram
Solar Powered SLA Battery Maintenance Circuit Diagram

The ‘762 is the 15-volt-out version of the perhaps more familiar MAX761 (12 V out) and is used here to boost 6 V to 15 V.C1 and C2 are decoupling capacitors that suppress high and low frequency spurious components produced by the switch-mode regulator IC. Using Schottky diode D3, energy is stored in inductor L1 in the form of a magnetic field. When pin 7 of IC1 is open-circuited by the internal switching signal, the stored energy is diverted to the 15-volt output of the circuit. The V+ (sense) input of the MAX762, pin 8, is used to maintain the output voltage at 15 V. C4 and C5 serve to keep the ripple on the output voltage as small as possible. R1, LED D4 and pushbutton S1 allow you to check the presence of the 15-V output voltage.

D5 and D6 reduce the 15-volts to about 13.6 V which is a frequently quoted nominal standby trickle charging voltage for SLA batteries. This corresponds well with the IC’s maximum, internally limited, output current of about 120 mA. The value of inductor L1 is not critical — 22 µH or 47 µH will also work fine. The coil has to be rated at 1 A though in view of the peak current through it. The switching frequency is about 300 kHz. A suggestion for a practical coil is type M from the WEPD series supplied by Würth (www.we-online.com). Remarkably, Würth supply one-off inductors to individual customers. 
 
 
 
Author : Myo Min
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Ni Cd and Ni MH Adjustable constant current Circuit Diagram

This is a battery charger circuit with adjustable current for Ni-MH or Ni-Cd. It can be used for a constant current power, which can be set to any value from a few milliamps to about 500 mA. The maximum current is 500 mA, because that is the limit of transistor BC140. The input voltage must be above 5.25V output voltage, this is due to losses as 1.25V current limit and approximately 4V regulator.

 Battery Charger Ni-Cd and Ni-MH Adjustable constant current Circuit Diagram
 
 


The LM317 regulator is used, it should have a sink.

Components
R1 100Ω resistor
VR1 trimpot or potentiometer 500Ω
Capacitor C1 0.1μF
C2 Capacitor 0.01μF
Diode D1 1N4001
Q1 Transistor BC140
IC1 Voltage Regulator LM317
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Simple Water Level Indicator Circuit Schematic

The whole project was developed on a friends request. Its purpose was to remotely monitor the water-level in a metal tank located in the attic by means of a very simple control unit placed in the kitchen, some floors below.
Mains requirements were:
  1. No separate supply for the remote circuit
  2. Main and remote units connected by a thin two-wire cable
  3. Simple LED display for the main unit
  4. Battery operation to avoid problems related to mains supply and water proximity
  5. As the circuit was battery operated a low current consumption was obviously welcomed
The very small remote unit is placed near the tank and measures the water level in three ranges by means of two steel rods. Each range will cover one third of the tank capacity:

Almost empty - signaled by means of a red LED (D3) in the control unit display
About half-level - signaled by means of a yellow LED (D2) in the control unit display
Almost full - signaled by means of a green LED (D1) in the control unit display

Circuit diagram:

Water-level Indicator Circuit Diagram

Circuit operation:

When the water-level is below the steel rods, no contact is occurring from the metal can and the rods, which are supported by a small insulated (wooden) board. The small circuit built around IC1 draws no current and therefore no voltage drop is generated across R5. IC2A, IC2B and Q1 are wired as a window comparator and, as there is zero voltage at input pins #2 and #5, D3 will illuminate. When the water comes in contact with the first rod, pin #13 of IC1 will go high, as its input pins #9 to #12 were shorted to negative by means of the water contact.

Therefore, R4 will be connected across the full supply voltage and the remote circuit will draw a current of about 9mA. This current will cause a voltage drop of about 0.9V across R5 and the window comparator will detect this voltage and will change its state, switching off D3 and illuminating D2. When the water will reach the second rod, also pin #1 of IC1 will go high for the same reason explained above. Now either R3 and R4 will be connected across the full supply voltage and the total current drawing of the remote circuit will be about 18mA.

The voltage drop across R5 will be now about 1.8V and the window comparator will switch off D2 and will drive D1. The battery will last very long because the circuit will be mostly in the off state. Current is needed only for a few seconds when P1 is pushed to check the water-level and one of the LEDs illuminates.

Parts:

R1 = 15K 1/4W Resistors
R2 = 15K 1/4W Resistors
R3 = 1K 1/4W Resistors
R4 = 1K 1/4W Resistors
R5 = 100R 1/4W Resistor
R6 = 47K 1/4W Resistor
R7 = 3.3K 1/4W Resistors
R8 = 3.3K 1/4W Resistors
R9 = 2.7K 1/4W Resistors
R10 = 15K 1/4W Resistors
R12 = 15K 1/4W Resistors
R13 = 3.3K 1/4W Resistors
R14 = 2.7K 1/4W Resistors
R15 = 2.7K 1/4W Resistors
D1 = 3mm Green LED
D2 = 3mm Yellow LED
D3 = 3mm Red LED
C1 = 470nF 63V Polyester or Ceramic Capacitor
J1 = Two ways output sockets
J2 = Two ways output sockets
P1 = SPST pushbutton
B1 = 9V PP3 Battery
Q1 = BC547 45V 100mA NPN Transistor
IC1 = 4012 Dual 4 input NAND gate IC
IC2 = LM393 Dual Comparator IC
Two steel rods of appropriate length
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ESR Low Resistance Test Meter

As electrolytic capacitors age, their internal resistance, also known as "equivalent series resistance" (ESR), gradually increases. This can eventually lead to equipment failure. Using this design, you can measure the ESR of suspect capacitors as well as other small resistances. Basically, the circuit generates a low-voltage 100kHz test signal, which is applied to the capacitor via a pair of probes. An op amp then amplifies the voltage dropped across the capacitor’s series resistance and this can be displayed on a standard multimeter. In more detail, inverter IC1d is configured as a 200kHz oscillator.
Its output drives a 4027 J-K flipflop, which divides the oscillator signal in half to ensure an equal mark/space ratio. Two elements of a 4066 quad bilateral switch (IC3c & IC3d) are alternately switched on by the complementary outputs of the J-K flipflop. One switch input (pin 11) is connected to +5V, whereas the other (pin 8) is connected to -5V. The outputs (pins 9 & 10) of these two switches are connected together, with the result being a ±5V 100kHz square wave. Series resistance is included to current-limit the signal before it is applied to the capacitor under test via a pair of test probes. Diodes D1 and D2 limit the signal swing and protect the 4066 outputs in case the capacitor is charged.
Circuit diagram:
esr-low-resistance-test-meter-circuit-diagram1 ESR & Low Resistance Test Meter Circuit Diagram
A second pair of leads sense the signal developed across the probe tips. Once again, the signal is limited by diodes (D3 & D4) before begin applied to the remaining two inputs of the 4066 switch (pins 2 & 3 of IC3a & IC3b). These switches direct alternate half cycles to two 1μF capacitors, removing most of the AC component of the signal and providing a simple "sample and hold" mechanism. The 1μF capacitors charge to a DC level that is proportional to the test capacitor’s ESR. This is differentially amplified by op amp IC4 so that it can be displayed on a digital multimeter – 10Ω will be represented by 100mV, 1Ω by 10mV, etc. To calibrate the circuit, first adjust VR1 to obtain 100kHz at TP3.
Next, momentarily short the test probes together and adjust VR4 for 0mV at pin 6 of IC4. That done, set your meter to read milliamps and connect it between TP4 and the negative (-) DMM output. Apply -5V to TP2 and note the current flow, which should be around 2.1mA. Transfer the -5V from TP2 to TP1 and adjust VR2 until the same current (ignore sign) is obtained. Remove the -5V from TP1. Again, set to your meter to read volts and connect it to the DMM outputs. Apply the probes to a 10W resistor and adjust VR3 for a reading of 100mV. Finally, ensure that all capacitors to be tested are always fully discharged before connecting the probes.


Author: Len Cox - Copyright: Silicon Chip Electronics
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Build a Voltage Regulator 12v to 24v using 7812

How to build a voltage regulator 12v to 24v using 7812. What many people do not know is it possible for a voltage regulator IC to provide an output voltage higher than its actual value. One method to achieve this is by connecting the "common" terminal to the middle point of a potential divider, but the problem with this method is that the regulators IC has a small quiescent current (~ 10 mA) flowing out the common terminal to ground.

The circuit presented here avoids the problems of using the IC regulator to raise the voltage via the transistor Q1 to generate a low impedance to the common terminal video controller during the transfer of the voltage divider from a resistor divider network relatively high. The value of R3 is not critical, but should be low enough to accept the higher quiescent current without causing problems for T1.

Voltage Regulator 12v to 24v Circuit Diagram 

Voltage Regulator 12v to 24v
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