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Interested in learning about electronics.

E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Like, making circuits and stuff.

I have a couple of projects that I would like to complete soon, but I don't really know much about this stuff. 😉

How do I make a voltage-limiter circuit?

The generator on my scooter is not regulated, and if I go too fast.. it burns out the bulbs. How do I make a circuit to keep the output at 6v even if the generator is pumping out more?

I also want to learn about battery charging cicruits. 😉 How do you know what to recharge NiCad batteries at? Is there a formula?

So.. does anybody know of any good sites? 😉

Thanks. 🙂
 
ehw..recharging NiCad batteries manually can be tricky at best. They are known for having a chemical "memory" that will screw you up if you don't charge or run them down correctly.
Any idea what the nominal (no load) voltage of the battery is? How about the physical size?

As far as the regulator...how many bulbs are involved? I could easily put something together for you at work. LMK

 
<----- Electronics Major


Voltage regulator circuits are pretty common, a google search should be able to turn you up a pretty simple one.

6V Voltage Reg. IC's are available and would be pretty simple for you to hook up: In, Out & Ground. Probably can find one online pretty easily. any flavor of a 7806 3 pin regulator should suit your needs pretty well...

I'm sure some of the EE's around here can help you out.

Edit: Linkage
 
Cool. 🙂 Thanks.

No, I don't know the specs of the battery pack, it hasn't been chosen yet. 😉

What kind of batteries are easy to recharge? lead acid? lol..

Do they make small lead acid batteries? Like, smaller than motorcycle size(pretty damn small..)?
 
Originally posted by: JCobra14
<----- Electronics Major


Voltage regulator circuits are pretty common, a google search should be able to turn you up a pretty simple one.

6V Voltage Reg. IC's are available and would be pretty simple for you to hook up: In, Out & Ground. Probably can find one online pretty easily. any flavor of a 7806 3 pin regulator should suit your needs pretty well...

I'm sure some of the EE's around here can help you out.

Edit: <a class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/reg-rx.htm" target=blank>Linkage</A>
Click to expand...

depending on the bulbs you're using, a voltage regulator would need to be a bit more complicated than they describe in that link. For headlights/brake lights/etc they are going to require too much current. Most voltage regs are good for about 1.5 amps max, but have to be derated based on the voltage differential on the input/output. LED's and maybe incandescent instrumentation lights might be ok, I wouldn't try it with anything bigger. National Semiconductor has a lot of application notes and datasheets about all this stuff, and there is probably one about how to increase current capacity with a big FET or BJT. I know they also have a couple App Notes on Battery Chargers too.

 
Originally posted by: jteef
Originally posted by: JCobra14
<----- Electronics Major


Voltage regulator circuits are pretty common, a google search should be able to turn you up a pretty simple one.

6V Voltage Reg. IC's are available and would be pretty simple for you to hook up: In, Out & Ground. Probably can find one online pretty easily. any flavor of a 7806 3 pin regulator should suit your needs pretty well...

I'm sure some of the EE's around here can help you out.

Edit: <a class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/reg-rx.htm" target=blank>Linkage</A>
Click to expand...

depending on the bulbs you're using, a voltage regulator would need to be a bit more complicated than they describe in that link. For headlights/brake lights/etc they are going to require too much current. Most voltage regs are good for about 1.5 amps max, but have to be derated based on the voltage differential on the input/output. LED's and maybe incandescent instrumentation lights might be ok, I wouldn't try it with anything bigger. National Semiconductor has a lot of application notes and datasheets about all this stuff, and there is probably one about how to increase current capacity with a big FET or BJT. I know they also have a couple App Notes on Battery Chargers too.
Click to expand...

I think they would be considered incandescents...

Although I was thinking of using a 5W Luxeon Star(or three) as a headlight.
 
What 'bout using a converter circuit instead of voltage regulator? Say, 3-10v in, and a steady 6v out?

Oh, and for the battery example.. how about this 4.8v NiCd battery pack? Was for a remote control car, I think...
 
Anyone?

I found this...

God, I love the internet. 🙂

Now I just need to learn how to start building stuff like this.
 
so these are headlights you are talking about regulating? Any idea on the wattage? Car headlights are like 55-100 watt and would be really complicated and expensive to regulate, I have no idea what it would be on a bike.

here are a bunch of links to help you understand some of this stuff. None of them would be suitable for a 50 watt regulator, and I can't give any specific advice on that since i've never done it before. There is good info about battery chargers in them though.

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Originally posted by: jteef
so these are headlights you are talking about regulating? Any idea on the wattage? Car headlights are like 55-100 watt and would be really complicated and expensive to regulate, I have no idea what it would be on a bike.

here are a bunch of links to help you understand some of this stuff. None of them would be suitable for a 50 watt regulator, and I can't give any specific advice on that since i've never done it before. There is good info about battery chargers in them though.

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3

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Click to expand...

LOL!

No, not talking about car headlights. Like, small 6 or 12v lights.. designed for use on bicycles.

As I said, I was thinking about using a couple of 1Watt.. or maybe even the 5Watt Luxeon Star LEDs...

All this would be going on my scooter..
 
ok, then you should find a lot of good information in those app notes i posted. Make sure the regulator and the pass transistors are properly heatsinked.
 
Originally posted by: redly1
All this would be going on my scooter..
Click to expand...

hey, my neighbor's kid has something like that. Sounds like a weed eater
Click to expand...

Yep, because they almost literally use 2-cycle weedeater engines. 🙂

Mine sounds a little different.. Not as high pitched and whiney.. cause I'm one of the only people to put a 4-stroke engine on their scooters. 🙂

Now I want to put an electrical system in.. for those night rides.. and so I can mount an electric fuel gauge. 🙂
 
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