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Low battery indicator — Parallax Forums

Low battery indicator

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-12-17 09:25 in General Discussion
Hi All

From most battery operated devices we see a low battery indicator, no matter
it is in the form of LED or LCD display.

I just wonder if they implement this "small-simple-good" feature by direct
measuring the battery voltage and do a comparison, or what? Can we implement
the same function by a stamp? If it is a voltage measurement, stamp surely
can handle that.

Anybody has some idea?

John



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Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 08:39
    Hi John

    Create a voltage divider with a high value pot. (Insure the wiper is
    set at 5V or less) Take the pot wiper and feed to the Stamp RCTIME
    preferred circuit. Readings will be proportional to the voltage.

    Don

    John Leung wrote:
    >
    > Hi All
    >
    > >From most battery operated devices we see a low battery indicator, no matter
    > it is in the form of LED or LCD display.
    >
    > I just wonder if they implement this "small-simple-good" feature by direct
    > measuring the battery voltage and do a comparison, or what? Can we implement
    > the same function by a stamp? If it is a voltage measurement, stamp surely
    > can handle that.
    >
    > Anybody has some idea?
    >
    > John
    >
    > ---
    > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 10:13
    Hi Don

    Thanks a lot. Do you mean the common way of telling battery level is to
    measure the voltage directly?

    John

    Original Message
    From: "Don Denhardt" <dondenhardt@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 4:39 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Low battery indicator


    > Hi John
    >
    > Create a voltage divider with a high value pot. (Insure the wiper is
    > set at 5V or less) Take the pot wiper and feed to the Stamp RCTIME
    > preferred circuit. Readings will be proportional to the voltage.
    >
    > Don
    >
    > John Leung wrote:
    > >
    > > Hi All
    > >
    > > >From most battery operated devices we see a low battery indicator, no
    matter
    > > it is in the form of LED or LCD display.
    > >
    > > I just wonder if they implement this "small-simple-good" feature by
    direct
    > > measuring the battery voltage and do a comparison, or what? Can we
    implement
    > > the same function by a stamp? If it is a voltage measurement, stamp
    surely
    > > can handle that.
    > >
    > > Anybody has some idea?
    > >
    > > John
    > >
    > > ---
    > > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and Body of the message will be ignored.
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    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 15:40
    Book stamp works experement 27 on page 29.
    Uses one acd0831 analog to digital converter with a very short
    program.

    Use a high value bleeder network like unknown voltage to 100k to 10k
    to ground. Read at tap between 100k and 10k. Use a extenal digital
    voltmeter to calibrate at a low end and high end point.

    If you use a regulator to provide the reference to the adc you can get
    precision readings from this.

    73
    spence
    k4kep
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 16:58
    If you want something more foolprof, a voltage comparator such as a
    LM339, a stable voltage reference such as TI TL431 and a voltage
    divider.
    The LM339 has an open collector so could be interfaced directly to
    Stamp.
    Another advantage is that you can add histerysis to prevent chatter
    when the battery level crosses the threshold.

    Albert Catano
    --- In basicstamps@y..., "k4kep" <k4kep@y...> wrote:
    > BOOK STAMP WORKS EXPEREMENT 27 ON PAGE 29.
    > USES ONE ACD0831 ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER WITH A VERY SHORT
    > PROGRAM.
    >
    > USE A HIGH VALUE BLEEDER NETWORK LIKE UNKNOWN VOLTAGE TO 100K TO
    10K
    > TO GROUND. READ AT TAP BETWEEN 100K AND 10K. USE A EXTENAL DIGITAL
    > VOLTMETER TO CALIBRATE AT A LOW END AND HIGH END POINT.
    >
    > IF YOU USE A REGULATOR TO PROVIDE THE REFERENCE TO THE ADC YOU CAN
    GET
    > PRECISION READINGS FROM THIS.
    >
    > 73
    > SPENCE
    > K4KEP
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 17:33
    Hi John,

    Yes whether being charged or under load, battery voltage is used for
    status of the battery.

    At this link there is a ton of information regarding batteries (more
    than you probably want to know). There is a chart that will roughly
    plot battery state of charge by voltage.
    http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm


    When dealing with flooded cells you have to remember that there will be
    some variance in these readings owing to the electrolyte blend being
    used and plate chemistry.

    Good luck,

    Don

    John Leung wrote:
    >
    > Hi Don
    >
    > Thanks a lot. Do you mean the common way of telling battery level is to
    > measure the voltage directly?
    >
    > John
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Don Denhardt" <dondenhardt@y...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 4:39 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Low battery indicator
    >
    > > Hi John
    > >
    > > Create a voltage divider with a high value pot. (Insure the wiper is
    > > set at 5V or less) Take the pot wiper and feed to the Stamp RCTIME
    > > preferred circuit. Readings will be proportional to the voltage.
    > >
    > > Don
    > >
    > > John Leung wrote:
    > > >
    > > > Hi All
    > > >
    > > > >From most battery operated devices we see a low battery indicator, no
    > matter
    > > > it is in the form of LED or LCD display.
    > > >
    > > > I just wonder if they implement this "small-simple-good" feature by
    > direct
    > > > measuring the battery voltage and do a comparison, or what? Can we
    > implement
    > > > the same function by a stamp? If it is a voltage measurement, stamp
    > surely
    > > > can handle that.
    > > >
    > > > Anybody has some idea?
    > > >
    > > > John
    > > >
    > > > ---
    > > > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
    > > > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-16 18:11
    At 04:25 12/17/01, John Leung wrote:

    >Thanks for all valuable information. I will try.

    Just beware that when you do your calculations to convert your reading to
    the true voltage, that a divider consisting of a 100K and a 10K resistor is
    an 11:1 divider.

    Jim H
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-17 09:25
    Thanks for all valuable information. I will try.

    John


    Original Message
    From: "acatano2002" <acatano2002@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 8:58 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: LOW BATTERY INDICATOR


    > If you want something more foolprof, a voltage comparator such as a
    > LM339, a stable voltage reference such as TI TL431 and a voltage
    > divider.
    > The LM339 has an open collector so could be interfaced directly to
    > Stamp.
    > Another advantage is that you can add histerysis to prevent chatter
    > when the battery level crosses the threshold.
    >
    > Albert Catano
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@y..., "k4kep" <k4kep@y...> wrote:
    > > BOOK STAMP WORKS EXPEREMENT 27 ON PAGE 29.
    > > USES ONE ACD0831 ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER WITH A VERY SHORT
    > > PROGRAM.
    > >
    > > USE A HIGH VALUE BLEEDER NETWORK LIKE UNKNOWN VOLTAGE TO 100K TO
    > 10K
    > > TO GROUND. READ AT TAP BETWEEN 100K AND 10K. USE A EXTENAL DIGITAL
    > > VOLTMETER TO CALIBRATE AT A LOW END AND HIGH END POINT.
    > >
    > > IF YOU USE A REGULATOR TO PROVIDE THE REFERENCE TO THE ADC YOU CAN
    > GET
    > > PRECISION READINGS FROM THIS.
    > >
    > > 73
    > > SPENCE
    > > K4KEP
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
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