Lead Acid Battery Charger #2

The above pictured schematic diagram is just a standard constant current model with a added current limiter, consisting of Q1, R1, and R4. The moment too much current is flowing biases Q1 and drops the output voltage. The output voltage is: 1.2 x (P1+R2+R3)/R3 volt. Current limiting kicks in when the current is about 0.6/R1 amp. For a 6-volt battery which requires fast-charging, the charge voltage is 3 x 2.45 = 7.35 V. (3 cells at 2.45v per cell). So the total value for R2 + P1 is then about 585 ohm. For a 12 V battery the value for R2 + P1 is then about 1290 ohm. For this power supply to work efficiently, the input voltage has to be a minimum of 3V higher than the output voltage. P1 is a standard trimmer potentiometer of sufficient watt for your application. The LM317 must be cooled on a sufficient (large) coolrib. Q1 (BC140) can be replaced with a NTE128 or the older ECG128 (same company). Except as a charger, this circuit can also be used as a regular power supply.

Parts List: R1 = 0.56 Ohm, 5W, WW R2 = 470 Ohm C2 = 220nF R3 = 120 Ohm R4 = 100 Ohm C1 = 1000uF/63V Q1 = BC140 Q2 = LM317, Adj. Volt Reg. C3 = 220nF (On large coolrib!) P1 = 220 Ohm

12 Volt DC Fluorescent Lamp Driver

A number of people have been unable to find the transformer needed for the Black Light project, so I looked around to see if I could find a fluorescent lamp driver that does not require any special components. I finally found one in Electronics Now. Here it is. It uses a normal 120 to 6V stepdown transformer in reverse to step 12V to about 350V to drive a lamp without the need to warm the filaments.

Parts: C1 100uf 25V Electrolytic Capacitor C2,C3 0.01uf 25V Ceramic Disc Capacitor C4 0.01uf 1KV Ceramic Disc Capacitor R1 1K 1/4W Resistor R2 2.7K 1/4W Resistor Q1 IRF510 MOSFET U1 TLC555 Timer IC T1 6V 300mA Transformer LAMP 4W Fluorescent Lamp MISC Board, Wire, Heatsink For Q1 Notes: 1. Q1 must be installed on a heat sink. 2. A 240V to 10V transformer will work better then the one in the parts list. The problem is that they are hard to find. 3. This circuit can give a nasty (but not too dangerous) shock. Be careful around the output leads.

Brake Light Signal Module

Generates 4 short flashes, followed by a steady on light Can drive LED Arrays at currents up to 1 Amp Circuits of this kind are intended to drive LED Arrays in order to create more visibility and conspicuity when a vehicle is stopped or stopping. This circuit, in particular, will emit a visual alerting signal of 4 short flashes, followed by a steady on light that remains steady on as long as the brakes are applied. Circuit operation: IC1 internal oscillator generates a square wave whose frequency is divided 64 times by the flip-flops contained in the chip in order to obtain about 1 to 4Hz at pin #4: this is the LED Array flashing frequency and can be set to the desired value by means of R3. A positive signal at D1 Cathode stops the oscillator after 5 pulses are counted. C2 and R1 automatically reset the IC whenever the brakes are applied. Q1 is the LED Array driver: LEDs will be on when pin #4 of IC1 goes low.

Parts: R1_____________10K 1/4W Resistor R2____________220K 1/4W Resistor R3____________500K 1/2W Trimmer, Cermet or Carbon R4______________1K8 1/4W Resistor (See Note) R5______________1K8 1/4W Resistor C1_____________47F 25V Electrolytic Capacitor C2______________1F 25V Electrolytic Capacitor C3_____________10nF 63V Polyester Capacitor D1___________1N4148 75V 150mA Diode IC1____________4060 14 stage ripple counter and oscillator IC Q1____________BC327 45V 800mA PNP Transistor (See Note) SW1____________SPST Brake Switch B1______________12V Vehicle Battery Note:

The transistor type suggested for Q1 will drive LED Arrays at currents up to 500mA. To drive Arrays requiring higher currents (up to 1A and even more) use a BD436 (32V 4A PNP Transistor) for Q1 and a 1K resistor for R4.