| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 852.1 | see 126.82 | GUSHER::RYDER | | Tue Jan 24 1989 05:57 | 2 |
|
I put in a temporary answer under the cycler topic, Note 126.
|
| 852.2 | cycler | NEXUS::PAGE | | Wed Jan 25 1989 09:55 | 3 |
|
Come on Mark, cut loose w/ some of the big Software bucks and
buy a digipace!!
|
| 852.3 | Here's one solution | LEDS::WATT | | Thu Jan 26 1989 08:49 | 21 |
| I have done all of this but I don't believe in simple. I know there
is a market for the low end basic cycler but I went for the high
end computer controlled version. This gives me much better info
on what the nicads are doing. I realize that this isn't for everyone.
The best simple cycler would be one that discharges through a fixed
resistor until the voltage reaches a set level. (4.4 V for reciever,
8.8 V for transmitter) The timer could be a regular electric clock
controlled by a relay that trips when the battery voltage reaches
the limit. You set the clock to 12:00 before starting and read
the clock after it has been stopped by the relay. This is what
we had in the old days before Digipace. You could build this for
a couple of bucks if you had an old electric clock. By the way,
the clock must be the old fashioned motor driven type not a digital
one. You need to read it after it has been shut off. (I know it's
obvious) Unless you are into tinkering, it is probably better to
shell out the bucks for a commercial unit rather than build one.
They're lots cheaper than the cost of replacing one airplane that
crashes due to nicad failure.
Charlie
|
| 852.4 | I GOT ONE 'A THOSE.... | PNO::CASEYA | THE DESERT RAT (I-RC-AV8) | Thu Jan 26 1989 10:01 | 15 |
| Charlie,
What you describe in .-1 is an exact description of my Flite-Life
cycler, the first one I bought back in the early 70's. I still
have it but don't use it anymore as I prefer the simpler operation
of the L.R. Taylor cycler but the unit is still quite serviceable.
Note also that this type cycler is just that; a "cycler" only...it
has no recharging capability so the discharged pack(s) must be
recharged on the radio's charger(s) following discharge.
|
| | 00 Adios, Al
|_|_| ( >o
| Z__(O_\_ (The Desert Rat)
|
| 852.5 | Ok....Ok....OK | CSC32::M_ANTRY | | Thu Jan 26 1989 14:58 | 5 |
| OK. I am through with the abuse......I will have to shell out the
money.
Thanks alot Guys
|
| 852.6 | Taylor makes a nice Taylor | GUSHER::RYDER | | Fri Jan 27 1989 06:23 | 11 |
| Mark, the solution described in Charlie's Note 852.3 is just a hair
from the Taylor. Use a SPDT relay; the "normally open" contact
controls the clock, and the "normally closed" contact controls a
simple charger. The Taylor isn't much more; it has a push button
switch to start the discharge, and it has two complete units in
one box; it is a detail that it uses solid state circuitry instead
of relays to control things.
At the price Jeff is getting on the Taylor units, buying instead
of building is a very reasonable decision, especially if you are
not a circuitry hobbyist.
|
| 852.7 | I have a schematic | SNOC01::BROWNTONY | Tony Brown Sydney, Australia | Thu Feb 02 1989 16:53 | 17 |
| For the solder enthusiasts, I have found a very simpler discharger
circuit in an old Radio Modeller. It uses 3 transistors, 8 resistors,
1 pushbutton switch, and 1 LED for each of transmitter, receiver,
etc. I guess it could be adapted to drive a clock etc. If anyone
is interested, I will attempt to figure out to post it in this conference.
The operation is:
1. Connect battery and charger.
2. Push switch to start discharge, the LED will light.
3. When battery drops to ? v (setup at 1.1 v per cell), the LED
goes out and the charger is connected.
Simple, but should do the job. In fact, if I get time this
weekend.....
Tony
|
| 852.8 | Here is a schematic | SNOC01::BROWNTONY | Tony Brown Sydney, Australia | Thu Feb 02 1989 20:56 | 76 |
| Here is the schematic I was referring to in .8
+ ----------------------------------------------------C E--------------- +
(battery) | | | B TR4 (charger)
| | | |
\ \ V |
/ R1 / R3 - LED |
\ \ | |
/ / | |
| | E \
---\/\/-------------B TR2 / R8
| R4 C \
\ | /
/ R2 | |
\ | |
| |* C
----------------\/\/------------)--------B TR3
| | R5 | E
| | \ |
| | / R6 |
| | \ |
| | / |
/ C | |
/ SW TR1 B-------------------- |
/ E | |
| | \ |
| | / R7 |
| | \ |
| | / |
| | | |
- --------------------------------------------------- -
Notes:
* this point is the only crossover. ie wires cross over and are not connected
TR1 - NPN 2N3407
TR2 - PNP BC 328
TR3 - NPN BC 238 (not the same as TR2!!!
TR4 - PNP BC 328
Tx Rx
----- -----
R1 27, 1W 27, 1W
R2 27, 1W 0 use a link for Rx
R3 820 1.5k 1.5k is not specified in article - my calc
R4 680 680
R5 47K 22k
R6 330 150
R7 1k 1k
R8 4.7k 2.2k
Unless specified, 1/4 W should suffice
SW single pole, push to make
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS UNLESS YOU CAN DEBUG IT. AS YOU CAN SEE,
ONE RESISTOR VALUE WAS OMITTED. I WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO HELP DEBUG IF I
BUILD IT MYSELF.
OPERATION:
"Upon switch on, TR3 is turned on via R1 and R5. This in turn causes TR4 to turn
on and conduct, , thus switching the charger through to the nicad. Now,
depressing SW causes TR3 and TR4 to turn off, disconnecting the charger. At the
same time, TR2 now turns on, causing the LED to light; it also takes the TR1
base positive via R6, thus causing TR1 to turn on, so the current will stay in
discharge, even when the switch is released. As the nicad discharges, the
voltage across R1 drops until it can no longer hold TR2 on. The LED in TR2 acts
as a constant voltage source, and provides the circuit reference. As TR2 turns
off, so does TR1.This removes the discharge path, the current now resets into
its initial stage and begins recharging the nicad."
Good luck
Tony
|
| 852.9 | I knew it would happen | CSC32::M_ANTRY | | Fri Feb 03 1989 17:56 | 6 |
| Thanks Tony. I think I will give it a try....
Fire up those soldering irons!!!!!!!
Mark Antry
|
| 852.10 | Did anyone build it | TROPPO::LEWIS | David Lewis - TROPPO::LEWIS | Fri Jun 09 1989 05:21 | 5 |
| As a newcomer to the world of RC and use/abuse of Nicads, I'd be interested
in hearing if anyone has built/debugged Tony's cycler.
David
|
| 852.11 | Part way there | SNOC02::BROWNTONY | Tony Brown @ SNO: Sydney, Australia | Tue Jun 13 1989 02:31 | 14 |
| David
I have built the cycler: the Rx part is working, but not the Tx.
I modified the Tx to suit my 6 cell transmitter and obviously have
introduced a minor bug. Once I get the customers of my hair and
get to spend a little time at home base, I should get back to it!
Call me if you want a copy of the original article.
I hope sunny Brisbane is giving you more flying time than #$@&*
Sydney has this year!
Tony
|