BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR ON TL431.

WHAT IS THE BATTERY DISCHARGE

INDICATOR FOR?
How tightly Li-ion batteries have entered our lives. The fact that they are used in almost all microprocessor
electronics is already the norm. So radio amateurs have long adopted them and use them in their homemade
products. I contribute to this significant advantages Li-ion batteries, such as small size, large capacity, big
choice performances various containers and forms.

The most common battery is of the 18650 brand, its voltage is 3.7 V. For which I will make a discharge indicator.
Probably, it is not worth telling how low their low discharge is harmful for the tap batteries. And for all types of
batteries. Correct use of rechargeable batteries will extend their life several times and save you money.
Charging indicator circuit

The circuit is quite versatile and can operate in the 3-15 volt range. The response threshold can be adjusted with
a variable resistor. So the device can be used for almost any battery, be it acidic, nickel-cadmium (nicd) or
lithium-ion (Li-ion).
The circuit monitors the voltage and as soon as it falls below a predetermined level, the LED will light up,
signaling a low battery discharge.
The circuit uses an adjustable Zener diode TL431(link where I took it). In general, this zener diode is a very
interesting radio element that can greatly facilitate the life of radio amateurs when building circuits tied to
stabilization or threshold operation. So take it into service, especially when building power supplies, current
stabilization circuits, etc.
The transistor can be replaced with any other NPN structure, a domestic analogue of KT315, KT3102.
R2- adjusts the brightness of the LED.
R1 is a variable resistor with a nominal value of 50 to 150 ohms.
R3 can be added up to 20-30 ohms to save power if a high gain transistor is used.
If you do not have a TL431 regulated regulator, then you can use the proven Soviet circuit with two transistors.
The response threshold is set by the resistors R2, R3. Instead, one variable can be soldered to allow adjustment
and reduce the number of elements. Soviet transistors can be replaced with BC237, BC238, BC317 (KT3102) and
BC556, BC557 (KT3107).

The circuit can be assembled on a board or surface mounting... Put on a heat-shrinkable tube and blow with a hot
air gun. Stick on double-sided tape to the back of the case. I personally installed this board in a screwdriver and
now I do not drive its batteries to a critical discharge.
You can also connect a buzzer (beeper) in parallel with the resistor with the LED, and then you will definitely
know about the critical thresholds.