May 182013
 

This circuit uses a LM339, a quad comparator. LM339 can work on single or dual supplies, it has a open collector output that can drive 15mA, low power consumption. The circuit is an untested design but it should work. I did it as many searches were made in my webpages with these keywords.

There are many better circuits in the various circuit archives i have linked on the front page, you just have to look around. When you measure the open circuit voltage of a battery with a high impedance DMM (10M), the value may be a bit misleading. Apply a dummy load to bleed the battery a bit so that proper readings can be taken on Load. The load below is a 100 ohms wire-wound fusible ceramic resistor which will heat a bit when you test 12V batteries.
Battery Level Indicator

Theory of Operation.

R16 a 5W ceramic wire wound bleeder or dummy load. R15 is a part of an attenuator for obtaining ranges. D2 is a protection clamp diode. R10-D1 forms the 5V reference for comparators. Then an attenuator obtains 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 V steps for each comparator. This circuit is similar to Audio Level meter or VU meter circuit.

The comparator compares the battery sample voltage to the fixed reference step. If ‘+’ pin is more positive than ‘-’, or is ‘+’ is more dominant, then output goes floating ‘open collector’, so No LED light . But if ‘-’ is more dominant the output transistor of comparator goes low impedance or saturates or turns ‘ON’. But only spec current can be switched, do not compare with electrical switch ‘ON’. Also on a dual supply 0V is more dominant or positive compared with -12V, even though it appears -12V is a big number. The direction of current is what decides, all measurements are relative.

More Information

Jan 122013
 

FreePCB – PCB editor

FreePCB is a free, open-source PCB editor for Microsoft Windows, released under the GNU General Public License. It was designed to be easy to learn and easy to use, yet capable of professional-quality work. It does not have a built-in autorouter, but it can use the FreeRoute web-based autorouter at freerouting.net. Some of its features are:

freepcb.png

  • 1 to 8 copper layers
  • Board size up to 60 inches by 60 inches
  • Uses English or metric units (i.e. mils or mm) for most functions.
  • Footprint libraries courtesy of Ivex Design International Inc.
  • Copper fill areas
  • Footprint Wizard and Footprint Editor for creating or modifying footprints
  • Imports and exports PADS-PCB netlists
  • Exports extended Gerber files (RS274X) and Excellon drill files
  • Design rule checker
  • Autosave

Example – Logic Analyzer: This is an open-source logic analyzer called MiniLA contributed by Bob Grieb of the User Forum. The image on right is the Logic Analyzer PCB.

miniLA - mini Logic Analyzer

Some Features:

  • Up to 32 channels
  • 128 Kb of memory for each channel
  • Sampling rate up to 100 MHz (timebase in 1-2-5 sequence)
  • Input levels compatible with 3.3V and 5V logic
  • Selectable pretrigger/posttrigger buffer size in 8K step
Dec 102011
 
Music Sound to light converter

This was made by me when i was a kid, it was even published in a magazine, i think it will work, it was used on a very old huge ornamental valve philips stereo system in the remote speakers. Recently i captured this circuit in eagle to publish online, it seems to have a small [...]

 Posted by at 6:58 am
Nov 222011
 
Edison Bulb Life Extender

The Edsion Filament lamp may be less popular, but it is the most cost-effective light even today. It is very affordable, The light is soothing to the eyes and best of all gives a warm feeling. Sometimes due to the mains being restored when bulb is on, or a rapid flick of switch, blows it. [...]

Oct 152011
 
gEDA Project - Electronic Design Automation tools

The gEDA project has produced and continues working on a full GPL’d suite of Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production. Currently, the gEDA project offers a mature suite of free software applications for electronics design, including schematic capture, attribute management, bill of materials [...]

Jun 132011
 
Electronique - Sonelec-Musique

Electronique – Sonelec-Musique Théorie – Cette rubrique est destinée aux débutants, et explique très brièvement à ce que sont les composants électroniques les plus courants. N’allez surtout pas là pour approffondir vos connaissances d’experts ! Ou la la ! Je suis nul, ça m’interresse… This topic is for beginners, and explains very briefly what are [...]

 Posted by at 7:59 pm  Tagged with:
Jun 132011
 

Electronic circuits (schematics) & do-it-yourself (DIY) circuit diagrams, for hobbyists, students, professionals etc. covering a wide range of categories in electronics like audio, music,home/garden related,computer hardware,radio,robotics etc to name a few. ElectronicsZone – kits hobby schematics There are also links to sites that offer hobby electronic kits and other electronics hobby related stuff. Use the [...]

Jun 122011
 

The main circuit section, Electronics Circuits, these have circuits in PDF format with Source design files and PCB layouts for some. Here in Schematic Diagrams are the circuits with brief description. Technologies & Engineering – delabs news. The Circuit Sections are. Analog Circuits -o- Digital Circuits -o- Power Electronics -o- Microcontroller -o- Hobby Projects

 Posted by at 7:22 am
Jan 142011
 

Here is a circuit archive that takes you up, from the bottom rungs of the EE Semiconductor Design Ladder. There are many Discrete Transistor Designs, NPN and PNP with R, L and C. Bipolar design and diodes is the first Knowledge to assimilate. Next is FET, MOSFET and Thyristor study. Then you climb the Amazing [...]

 Posted by at 5:05 pm
Jan 112011
 

The LM3914 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives 10 LEDs, providing a linear analog display. A single pin changes the display from a moving dot to a bar graph. Current drive to the LEDs is regulated and programmable, eliminating the need for resistors. This feature is one that allows [...]

 Posted by at 6:32 am
Oct 082010
 

Mains Voltage Stabilizer Circuits These circuits were drawn for a person in Africa. See the thread here… stabilizer circuit. They were not tested by me, but are quite close to a practical design. Stabilizer Step up 230V AC 500VA This circuit is a design i did, not tested by me as yet. It can Stabilize [...]

 Posted by at 10:56 am