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Turning on my robot via the stamp... — Parallax Forums

Turning on my robot via the stamp...

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-07-28 13:39 in General Discussion
Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
stamp.




7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
stamp |
_B2SX_ 2n2222 |
| | xsister /
| | _ /
| |
( |
| | - \
| | \
|
robot circuitry
|
|
ground

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 06:14
    You need to put a series resistor between the stamp and the base of the
    2N2222. If there is anything inductive in the robot, you need to have
    a diode (connected so as to be reverse biased) across the robot.

    nestlerv wrote:
    > Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
    > on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
    > stamp.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    > stamp |
    > _B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    > | | xsister /
    > | | _ /
    > | |
    ( |
    > | | - \
    > | | \
    >
    |
    > robot circuitry
    > |
    > |
    > ground
    >
    >
    >
    > 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.
    >
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    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 14:02
    Thanks,

    One more question.

    What resistance should the resistor be?
    And will an led be just as good as a diode for the purpose of
    protecting from the inductive elements in the robot?




    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Bob Reite <bobr@t...> wrote:
    > You need to put a series resistor between the stamp and the base
    of the
    > 2N2222. If there is anything inductive in the robot, you need to
    have
    > a diode (connected so as to be reverse biased) across the robot.
    >
    > nestlerv wrote:
    > > Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to
    turn
    > > on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on
    the
    > > stamp.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    > > stamp |
    > > _B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    > > | | xsister /
    > > | | _ /
    > > | |
    ( |
    > > | | - \
    > > | | \
    > >
    |
    > > robot circuitry
    > > |
    > > |
    > > ground
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 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/
    > >
    > >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 15:00
    I would be concerned that 3000ma (3amps) would be way too much current
    for the 2n2222 transistor to switch. I think you'd be better off using
    the transistor to drive a relay to switch the power to the load.. Just my
    $0.02... [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Vern

    --
    Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



    nestlerv said:
    >
    > Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
    > on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
    > stamp.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    > stamp |
    > _B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    > | | xsister /
    > | | _ /
    > | |
    ( |
    > | | - \
    > | | \
    >
    |
    > robot circuitry
    > |
    > |
    > ground
    >
    >
    >
    > 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/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 15:49
    2N2222's are rated at 600mA, if memory serves.

    Jonathan

    www.madlabs.info

    Original Message
    From: "Vernon Graner" <vern@t...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 7:00 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Turning on my robot via the stamp...


    > I would be concerned that 3000ma (3amps) would be way too much current
    > for the 2n2222 transistor to switch. I think you'd be better off using
    > the transistor to drive a relay to switch the power to the load.. Just my
    > $0.02... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern
    >
    > --
    > Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    > Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    > Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    > vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    > Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    >
    >
    >
    > nestlerv said:
    > >
    > > Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
    > > on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
    > > stamp.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    > > stamp |
    > > _B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    > > | | xsister /
    > > | | _ /
    > > | |
    ( |
    > > | | - \
    > > | | \
    > >
    |
    > > robot circuitry
    > > |
    > > |
    > > ground
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 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/
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > 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.
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    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 16:52
    In a message dated 7/25/2003 11:11:06 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    bobr@t... writes:

    > You need to put a series resistor between the stamp and the base of the
    > 2N2222. If there is anything inductive in the robot, you need to have
    > a diode (connected so as to be reverse biased) across the robot.
    >
    > nestlerv wrote:
    > >Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
    > >on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
    > >stamp.
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    > > stamp |
    > >_B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    > >| | xsister /
    > >| | _ /
    > >| |
    ( |
    > >| | - \
    > >| | \
    > >
    |
    > > robot circuitry
    > > |
    > > |
    > > ground

    A series base resistor is NOT needed. The configuration shown is an emitter
    follower. However, this configuration is not likely to be a practical solution
    for the following reasons:

    1) the maximum voltage to the robot will be one diode drop below the stamp
    high voltage, which will give your robot 4.3 volts or less.
    2) the 2n2222 will likely "burn up" from too much power. If your robot pulls
    one amp and the battery is at 7 volts, the 2n2222 must disspate almost 3
    watts.....which means smoke!!!

    (7 - 4.3) * 1amp = 2.7 watts

    A simple solution assuming you have the space is to use a 2n2222 to ground
    the coil of a relay, and the relay contacts will be the voltage/current path to
    the robot.

    The 2n2222 emitter to ground, base to the stamp via 4.7k ohms, and the
    collector to the relay coil. The other end of the relay coil to the + 7.2 volt
    battery. A diode MUST also be connected across the relay coil with the cathode
    end
    (with the line) to the battery positive to supress voltage a voltage spike
    that will occur when the relay is turned off.


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 16:54
    In a message dated 7/26/2003 7:09:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time, vern@t...
    writes:

    > I would be concerned that 3000ma (3amps) would be way too much current
    > for the 2n2222 transistor to switch. I think you'd be better off using
    > the transistor to drive a relay to switch the power to the load.. Just my
    > $0.02... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern

    Vern is correct here, 3000 ma will ruin your 2n2222. His relay suggestion is
    easy, see post from smartdim


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 19:14
    smartdim@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 7/25/2003 11:11:06 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    > bobr@t... writes:
    >
    >
    >>You need to put a series resistor between the stamp and the base of the
    >>2N2222. If there is anything inductive in the robot, you need to have
    >>a diode (connected so as to be reverse biased) across the robot.
    >>
    >>nestlerv wrote:
    >>
    >>>Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to turn
    >>>on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on the
    >>>stamp.
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    >>>stamp |
    >>>_B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    >>>| | xsister /
    >>>| | _ /
    >>>| |
    ( |
    >>>| | - \
    >>>| | \
    >>>
    |
    >>> robot circuitry
    >>> |
    >>> |
    >>> ground
    >>
    >
    > A series base resistor is NOT needed. The configuration shown is an emitter
    > follower. However, this configuration is not likely to be a practical solution

    > for the following reasons


    Even though it's an emitter follower, the base current may still exceed
    the rating of the stamp, if indeed the robot draws 3 amps. As pointed
    out a 2N2222 can't handle that current. but look carefully... The
    battery is rated at 3 Amp/hours, that doesn't say what the robot
    circuitry actually draws. That needs to be known.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 19:17
    nestlerv wrote:
    > Thanks,
    >
    > One more question.
    >
    > What resistance should the resistor be?
    > And will an led be just as good as a diode for the purpose of
    > protecting from the inductive elements in the robot?
    >

    I don't see the point in using an LED, as it won't light, except briefly
    when the robot is turned off. I'm also not sure how LEDs respond to
    reverse bias.

    In case it wasn't clear, the diode goes in parallel across the robot.



    >
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Bob Reite <bobr@t...> wrote:
    >
    >>You need to put a series resistor between the stamp and the base
    >
    > of the
    >
    >>2N2222. If there is anything inductive in the robot, you need to
    >
    > have
    >
    >>a diode (connected so as to be reverse biased) across the robot.
    >>
    >>nestlerv wrote:
    >>
    >>>Could I just use a simple switching transistor and the stamp to
    >>
    > turn
    >
    >>>on the robot. I am not sure if this might be too much stress on
    >>
    > the
    >
    >>>stamp.
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> 7.2v 3000mAh Ni-MH battery
    >>> stamp |
    >>>_B2SX_ 2n2222 |
    >>>| | xsister /
    >>>| | _ /
    >>>| |
    ( |
    >>>| | - \
    >>>| | \
    >>>
    |
    >>> robot circuitry
    >>> |
    >>> |
    >>> ground
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>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/
    >
    >>>
    >
    >
    > 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/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 19:20
    In a message dated 7/26/2003 11:15:04 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
    bobr@t... writes:

    > Even though it's an emitter follower, the base current may still exceed
    > the rating of the stamp, if indeed the robot draws 3 amps. As pointed
    > out a 2N2222 can't handle that current. but look carefully... The
    > battery is rated at 3 Amp/hours, that doesn't say what the robot
    > circuitry actually draws. That needs to be known.

    You are correct!! ......using a conservative 100 hfe for the 2n2222 and 3
    amps for the robot, the stamp would need to provide 30 mA which will exceed its
    output current as you have stated.

    I think the stamp driving a 2n2222 to ground a relay is likely the simplest
    reliable approach.



    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 21:54
    Another good method would be a p-channel MOSFET power transistor, which
    would be more compact and probably less expensive than the relay. Also, the
    relay coil would consume battery power, while the MOSFET would not, since it
    requires no current to keep it turned on.

    Matt Gilliland's books, The Microcontroller Application Cookbook, and The
    ... Cookbook 2 have many circuit examples like this. They're very handy
    when you know what you want to do, but need to see how it's commonly done.
    His examples show the IRF9520 p-ch MOSFET in positive side switching
    applications like this, but I prefer the IRF9530 which is only a few cents
    more and has much higher rated current and lower on resistance. For
    example: max continuous current = 14A, max pulsed current = 56A, max
    operating voltage = 100, etc. You can get them for under a buck if you know
    where to look ;-)

    Randy

    www.glitchbuster.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-26 22:47
    In a message dated 7/26/2003 1:56:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    randyjones@w... writes:

    > Another good method would be a p-channel MOSFET power transistor, which
    > would be more compact and probably less expensive than the relay. Also, the
    > relay coil would consume battery power, while the MOSFET would not, since it
    > requires no current to keep it turned on.
    >
    > Matt Gilliland's books, The Microcontroller Application Cookbook, and The
    > ... Cookbook 2 have many circuit examples like this. They're very handy
    > when you know what you want to do, but need to see how it's commonly done.
    > His examples show the IRF9520 p-ch MOSFET in positive side switching
    > applications like this, but I prefer the IRF9530 which is only a few cents
    > more and has much higher rated current and lower on resistance. For
    > example: max continuous current = 14A, max pulsed current = 56A, max
    > operating voltage = 100, etc. You can get them for under a buck if you know
    > where to look ;-)
    >
    > Randy
    >
    > www.glitchbuster.com


    Randy brings up excellent points......much cleaner than a relay


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-27 07:51
    Well thank you to all for your much valued input.

    FYI the 3000 mAh battery lasts about 25 to 30 min on a full charge.

    The mosfet stratedy sounds the most advantageous for the reasons you
    mentioned, no power consumption of the battery and better able to
    handle the current, oh and the cost. As they say, "you da man."

    So the mosfet IRF9530 can be controlled with the stamp output?

    I will draft a schematic of what Randy described for your critiquing.





    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, smartdim@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 7/26/2003 1:56:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    > randyjones@w... writes:
    >
    > > Another good method would be a p-channel MOSFET power
    transistor, which
    > > would be more compact and probably less expensive than the
    relay. Also, the
    > > relay coil would consume battery power, while the MOSFET would
    not, since it
    > > requires no current to keep it turned on.
    > >
    > > Matt Gilliland's books, The Microcontroller Application
    Cookbook, and The
    > > ... Cookbook 2 have many circuit examples like this. They're
    very handy
    > > when you know what you want to do, but need to see how it's
    commonly done.
    > > His examples show the IRF9520 p-ch MOSFET in positive side
    switching
    > > applications like this, but I prefer the IRF9530 which is only a
    few cents
    > > more and has much higher rated current and lower on resistance.
    For
    > > example: max continuous current = 14A, max pulsed current =
    56A, max
    > > operating voltage = 100, etc. You can get them for under a buck
    if you know
    > > where to look ;-)
    > >
    > > Randy
    > >
    > > www.glitchbuster.com
    >
    >
    > Randy brings up excellent points......much cleaner than a relay
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-27 18:34
    You will connect the P-channel MOSFET between Battery + and the load you
    want to power, with the MOSFET "source" pin to B+ and "drain" pin to the
    load. For the MOSFET to be off, its gate must be at the same voltage as its
    source pin (B+). To turn on the MOSFET, the gate voltage must be more
    negative than the source -- in other words, closer to ground.

    If you were switching a +5V power source, you could drive the MOSFET gate
    directly from the Stamp pin... When the Stamp pin was high (+5V), the
    MOSFET would be off, since the gate and source pins would be at the same
    voltage. Remember that the source is connected to B+, which would be 5V in
    this case. When the Stamp pin was driven low, the MOSFET gate would be at
    0V and the source still at 5V. So the gate would be more negative than the
    source by 5V, and the MOSFET would turn on.

    Since your battery supply is 7.2V, you can't connect the MOSFET gate
    directly to a Stamp pin, because you would never be able to fully turn the
    MOSFET off... When the Stamp pin is high at 5V, there is still a 2.2V
    difference between B+ and the Stamp pin, which would make the gate 2.2V
    negative relative to the source. Fortunately, there is an easy solution...

    We will use one more transistor, and it can be a dirt-cheap NPN such as a
    2N3904, PN2222, or whatever. First, connect a resistor between the MOSFET
    gate and B+ to pull-up the gate voltage so the MOSFET will be normally off
    until we turn it on. This is important since the Stamp initially powers up
    with all pins as high-impedance inputs, and noise could turn on the MOSFET.
    The resistor value isn't critical; lower values provide more noise immunity
    but will consume more current when we switch on the MOSFET. Something in
    the 10k to 50k range should be fine.

    The NPN transistor's base will be connected to the stamp pin through a base
    resistor to limit the current. Since the transistor will be switching very
    little current, the base resistor can be fairly large -- 10k, or
    considerably higher, should work fine. Connect the NPN's emitter pin to
    ground and its collector to the MOSFET gate. That's it.

    When the Stamp pin is driven high, a small current will flow through the
    resistor and the NPN's base, turning it on. This effectively connects the
    MOSFET gate to ground, turning on the MOSFET. When the Stamp pin is made
    low, there is no current flowing through the NPN's base, and it turns off
    (very high resistance). Now the MOSFET's gate is pulled to B+ by its
    gate-source resistor, and the MOSFET is turned off.

    I would probably start with 10k resistors in both places, which would result
    in current consumption of a couple milliamps total for this part of your
    circuit. If you wanted to play with larger resistor values, it could
    probably be reduced even more. With the amount of power used by the 'bot,
    this is just a drop in the bucket and probably not worth worrying about.

    Randy

    www.glitchbuster.com


    Original Message
    From: "nestlerv" <nestlerv@a...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 11:51 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Turning on my robot via the stamp...


    > Well thank you to all for your much valued input.
    >
    > FYI the 3000 mAh battery lasts about 25 to 30 min on a full charge.
    >
    > The mosfet stratedy sounds the most advantageous for the reasons you
    > mentioned, no power consumption of the battery and better able to
    > handle the current, oh and the cost. As they say, "you da man."
    >
    > So the mosfet IRF9530 can be controlled with the stamp output?
    >
    > I will draft a schematic of what Randy described for your critiquing.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, smartdim@a... wrote:
    > > In a message dated 7/26/2003 1:56:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
    > > randyjones@w... writes:
    > >
    > > > Another good method would be a p-channel MOSFET power
    > transistor, which
    > > > would be more compact and probably less expensive than the
    > relay. Also, the
    > > > relay coil would consume battery power, while the MOSFET would
    > not, since it
    > > > requires no current to keep it turned on.
    > > >
    > > > Matt Gilliland's books, The Microcontroller Application
    > Cookbook, and The
    > > > ... Cookbook 2 have many circuit examples like this. They're
    > very handy
    > > > when you know what you want to do, but need to see how it's
    > commonly done.
    > > > His examples show the IRF9520 p-ch MOSFET in positive side
    > switching
    > > > applications like this, but I prefer the IRF9530 which is only a
    > few cents
    > > > more and has much higher rated current and lower on resistance.
    > For
    > > > example: max continuous current = 14A, max pulsed current =
    > 56A, max
    > > > operating voltage = 100, etc. You can get them for under a buck
    > if you know
    > > > where to look ;-)
    > > >
    > > > Randy
    > > >
    > > > www.glitchbuster.com
    > >
    > >
    > > Randy brings up excellent points......much cleaner than a relay
    > >
    > >
    > > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    >
    >
    > 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/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-07-28 13:39
    just use a transistor that can handle the current you wish to control. see
    this web site for schematics and parts to do this with a stamp.
    jim
    http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/


    Original Message
    From: smartdim@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=2O_qHiDgrBIvfCb0Wl2YKqjiV2EDoptbbKDPLDcVFdMuy4KQhX6xR36rvFut5Cr4kpmjK5-RRINvhw]smartdim@a...[/url
    Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 11:55 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Turning on my robot via the stamp...


    In a message dated 7/26/2003 7:09:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time, vern@t...
    writes:

    > I would be concerned that 3000ma (3amps) would be way too much current
    > for the 2n2222 transistor to switch. I think you'd be better off using
    > the transistor to drive a relay to switch the power to the load.. Just my
    > $0.02... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern

    Vern is correct here, 3000 ma will ruin your 2n2222. His relay suggestion is
    easy, see post from smartdim


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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