051 NiCd battery charger

Design: K. Walraven D1
R2
The design of the charger is sim-
120 Ÿ
ilar to that of many commer-
cially available chargers. The
charger consists of a mains
R1
*
adaptor, two resistors and a 5W
light-emitting diode (LED). In K1
practical use, this kind of
charger is perfectly all right.
Resistor R1 serves two func- * zie tekst
see text
BT1

tions: it establishes the correct * siehe Text

charging current and it drops * voir texte
sufficient voltage to light the *
diode. This means that the LED
lights only when a charging cur- 984005 - 11
rent flows into the battery. The
charging current is about 1/4 of
the battery capacity, which across R1. Note that the adaptor Battery voltage (V) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.2
allows a slight overcharging, and must be capable of supplying a Minimum voltage (V) 4.7 6.1 7.5 8.9 10.3 11.7
yet the charging cycle is not too current of not less than half the Adaptor voltage (V) 4.5 6.0 7.5 9.0 12 12
long (4–5 hours). battery capacity. Value of R1 (theoretical) (½) 12.4 12.8 13.2 13.6 20 14.4
The value of the resistors The value of R1 in ohms is E12 value of R1 (½) 15 15 15 15 22 15
may be calculated as follows, for equal to 3.3 divided by 1/4 of
Value of R2 (½) 120 120 120 120 240 120
which the nominal e.m.f. and the battery capacity. The value
the capacity of the battery must of the resistors for various bat-
be known. tery voltages is given in the capacity, the theoretical value of if a 6 V battery with a nominal
Adjust the output of the Table. The battery capacity is R1 in the table must be divided capacity of 600 mAh is to be
mains adaptor to 1.17 times the taken as 1 Ah. The rating of R1 by the battery capacity. Its charged, the value of R1 must be
nominal battery voltage plus should be 5 W. If the battery to actual value is the nearest one 20/0.6 = 33 ½.
3.3 V, which is the potential be charged has a different in the E12 series. For instance, [984005]
052

6-channel running light

Design: L. v/d Heeden 9V
The circuit of the running light
comprises two integrated cir- 20mA
cuits (ICs), a resistor, a capac- S1
D3
itor and seven light-emitting 16
diodes (LEDs), Decade scaler R1 3
D4
S2
IC2 ensures that the LEDs light 0
2M2

CTRDIV10/ 1 2 D5
sequentially. The rate at which DEC 4
2
this happens is determined by 4 8
3
7
D6
IC2
the clock at pin 14. 7
DIS
R
4
10
The clock is generated by IC1
4017
5
1
D1
IC1, which is arranged as an 2 TR
555 OUT
3 14
& + 6
5
13 6
astable multivibrator. Its fre- (TLC555) 7 D2
6 9
quency is determined by THR
CV 15
8
11
R1-C1. 5 1
CT=0 9
12
The touch switch, consisting C1 CT≥5

of two small metal disks is 100n 8

optional. When switch S1 is in
position ‘off’, the circuit may be
actuated by the touch switch. By 984008 - 11
the way, this enables the circuit
to be used as an electronic die
(in which case the LEDs have to The running light is powered tor. It draws a current not
be numbered from 1 to 6). by a 9 V battery or mains adap- exceeding 20 mA. [984008]

92 Elektor Electronics 7-8/98