Android APP Contact Us
login / register Upload
TRENDING:

+/-10V (Dual 10V) to Single-Supply Signal Converter for ADC

This board will make your work easy if you want to interface +/- 10V (Dual 10V) device or sensor to single-supply signal ADC. This tiny project has been made for industrial and process control applications and provides an easy interface between +/-10V (Dual 10V) sensor or device to single-supply ADC. Connect +/-10V sensor/device to pin 3 of connector CN1, and circuit outputs 0.5V to 4.5V at pin 3 of connector CN2. The operating supply of the circuit is 5V and it draws few milliamps of current. The project is also provided with optional precision Ref voltage for accurate output.

Testing this project is easy, close jumper J1 to VCC, J2 to GND, close the solder jumper J3, keep jumper J4 open, apply 5V DC to pin 1 and 2 of CN2, connect +/-10V source to pin 3 (+I) and GND. Measure the output at pin 3 (OP) of CN2.

Optional Reference Voltage: for precision output, use reference voltage chip U1 REF3425 or REF3225 from Texas, close Jumper J3, J4, and J1 to GND.

The INA159 is a high slew rate, G = 1/5 difference amplifier consisting of a precision op amp with a precision resistor network. The gain of 1/5 makes the INA159 useful to couple ±10V signals to single-supply analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), particularly those operating on a single +5V supply. The on-chip resistors are laser-trimmed for accurate gain and high common-mode rejection. Excellent temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) tracking of the resistors maintains gain accuracy and common-mode rejection over temperature. The input common-mode voltage range extends beyond the positive and negative supply rails. It operates on +1.8V to +5.5V single or split supplies. The INA159 reference input uses two resistors for easy mid-supply or reference biasing. The difference amplifier is the foundation of many commonly-used circuits. The INA159 provides this circuit function without using an expensive external precision resistor network.

Features

  • Operating Supply 5V DC
  • Input +/-10V (Dual 10V) Sensor or Industrial Device
  • Output 0.5V to 4.5V DC (ADC)
  • PCB dimensions: 26.51 x 16.51 mm

Schematic

 

Parts List

NOQNTY.REF.DESCMANUFACTURERSUPPLIERSUPPLIER PART NO
12CN1,CN24 PIN MALE HEADER 2.54MM PITCHWURTHDIGIKEY732-5317-ND
21C110uF/16V SMD SIZE 1210 OR 1206MURATA/YAGEODIGIKEY
31C20.1uF/50V SMD SIZE 0805MURATA/YAGEODIGIKEY
41C31KPF/50V SMD SIZE 0805MURATA/YAGEODIGIKEY
52J1,J2JUMPER3PIN/SHUNTWURTHDIGIKEY732-5316-ND
62J3,J4PCB JUMPER/SOLDER JUMPER
72U1,R1DNP
82R2,R310E 5% SMD SIZE 0805MURATA/YAGEODIGIKEY
91U2INA159AIDGKTTEXASDIGIKEY296-18688-1-ND
102SHUNT2.54MM PITCH FEMALESULINSDIGIKEYS9001-ND

Connections

Gerber View

Photos

Video

INA159 Datasheet

1.2V to 50V @ 3A – Adjustable Power Supply with 55Vdc Input

The project presented here is a wide input voltage range non-isolated DC-DC Converter, that provides a regulated, adjustable output voltage. The operating input supply is 55V DC and output regulated from 1.2V to 50V DC. The project built using LM2576HVT-ADJ IC. Screw terminals provided for easy input and output connections, onboard power LED at the input, bridge rectifier for AC/DC Input, an onboard potentiometer to adjust the output voltage, etc. This is a low-profile board with a thermal area on PCB that acts as a heatsink. An additional LC filter using C5 and L2 that reduces the output ripple by a factor of 10 or more is included in this circuit. The device has a current limiting feature to prevent the switching current from exceeding a safe value during an accidental overload on output.

LM2576 Description

The LM2576 series of regulators are monolithic integrated circuits that provide all the active functions for a step-down (buck) switching regulator, capable of driving 3-A load with excellent line and load regulation. These devices are available in fixed output voltages of 3.3 V, 5 V, 12 V, 15 V, and an adjustable output version. Requiring a minimum number of external components, these regulators are simple to use and include fault protection and a fixed-frequency oscillator. The LM2576 series offers a high-efficiency replacement for popular three-terminal linear regulators. It substantially reduces the size of the heat sink, and in some cases, no heat sink is required. A standard series of inductors optimized for use with the LM2576 are available from several different manufacturers. This feature greatly simplifies the design of switch-mode power supplies. Other features include a ±4% tolerance on output voltage within specified input voltages and output load conditions, and ±10% on the oscillator frequency. External shutdown is included, featuring 50-µA (typical) standby current. The output switch includes cycle-by-cycle current limiting, as well as thermal shutdown for full protection under fault conditions.

Note: The board works with DC input and due to the onboard rectifier the input polarity is not a problem. This project can also work with AC input, use appropriate filter capacitor for AC input needed, CX capacitor provision helps you to use THT capacitor at input DC line.

Features

  • Input voltage 55V (it can work with Lower Input DC Supply, but the output will be lower)
  • Bridge Rectifier at the input so No polarity issue in DC input
  • Adjustable version output voltage range: 1.23 V to 50 V ±4% maximum over line and load conditions
  • 3A output current (Maximum)
  • Cycle-by-Cycle Peak Current Limit for Overload Protection
  • Power LED at input
  • Onboard Potentiometer for Output Voltage Adjust
  • Screw Terminal for Inputs and Output Connection
  • Additional Inductor and Capacitor to reduce the Ripple
  • 52-kHz Fixed-frequency internal oscillator
  • Thermal shutdown and current limit protection
  • PCB Dimensions 85 x 71.60 mm

Schematic

Parts List

NOQNTY.REFDESCMANUFACTURERSUPPLIERSUPPLIER PART NO
11CN12 PIN SCREW TERMENAL 5.08MM PITCHWIEDMULLERDIGIKEY281-2888-ND
21CN22 PIN SCREW TERMENAL 5.08MM PITCHWIEDMULLERDIGIKEY281-2888-ND
31C11uF/100V SMD SIZE 1206MURATA/YAGEODIGIKEY
43C2,C5,C8100uF/63V SMD NICHICONDIGIKEY493-6185-1-ND
52C32200uF/63V THT NICHICONDIGIKEY493-1360-ND
65R1,J1,C4,C6,C7DNP
74D1,D2,D3,D41N5408ON SEMIDIGIKEY1N5408FSTR-ND
81D5RED LED SMD SIZE 0805OSRAMDIGIKEY475-1415-1-ND
91D6MBRS360ON SEMIDIGIKEYMBRS360T3GOSCT-ND
101L1150uH/5A 30MM DIABOURNSMOUSER652-2200LL-151-H-RC
111L220uH OR 12uH/4.5A 12MMX12MMBOURNSDIGIKEYSRR1260-120MTR-ND
121P150K POT 16MMBOURNSDIGIKEYPDB181-K415K-503B-ND
131R24.7K 5% SMD 2512 OR 1210MURATA/YAGEO
141R31.21K 1% SMD SIZE0805MURATA/YAGEO
151U1LM2576HVT-ADJ TO220TEXASDIGIKEYLM2576HVT-ADJ/NOPB-ND

Connections

Gerber View

Photos

Video

LM2576 Datasheet

Texas Instruments TMAG511x 2-Dimensional Dual Hall-Effect Latches

Posted on by mixos

Texas Instruments TMAG511x 2-Dimensional Dual Hall-Effect Latches operate from a 2.5V to 38V power supply. Designed for high-speed and high-temperature motor applications, these devices are optimized for applications leveraging rotating magnets. Integrating two sensors and two separate signal chains, the TMAG511x offers two independent digital outputs, giving speed and direction calculation (TMAG5111) or giving directly the digital output of each independent latches (TMAG5110). This high level of integration allows the use of a single TMAG511x device instead of two separate latches.

The device is offered in a standard 3mT operating point, as well as a high-sensitivity 1.4mT operating point. The higher magnetic sensitivity provides flexibility in low-cost magnet selection and mechanical component placement. The Texas Instruments TMAG511x is also available in three 2-axis combination options (X-Y, Z-X, Z-Y) to allow flexible placement of the sensor relative to the magnet. The device performs consistently across a wide ambient temperature range of –40°C to +125°C.

Features

  • 2D sensing with planar and vertical hall sensors
  • Inherent quadrature independent of magnet alignment or magnet pole pitch
  • Two functional options available:
    • TMAG5110 – independent 2D outputs
    • TMAG5111 – speed and direction outputs
  • Ultra-high magnetic sensitivity
    • TMAG511xx2 – ±1.4mT (typical)
    • TMAG511xx4 – ±3mT (typical)
  • Fast 40kHz sensing bandwidth
  • 2.5V to 38V operating VCC range
  • Open-drain output (10mA sink)
  • Wide ambient operating temperature range
    • –40°C to +125°C
  • Protection Features
    • Reverse Supply Protection (up to –20V)
    • The device survives up to 40V
    • Output Short-Circuit Protection
    • Output Current Limitation

more information: https://www.ti.com/product/TMAG5110

MPM3632S High-Frequency 18 V/3 A DC/DC Regulator with Integrated Inductor

Posted on by mixos

MPS’ MPM3632S offers full protection features, including output OVP, OCP, and thermal shut down

MPM3632S from Monolithic Power Systems is asynchronous, rectified, step-down, mini-module regulator with built-in power MOSFETs, an inductor, and two capacitors. It offers a compact solution with only input and output capacitors to achieve a 3 A continuous output current with excellent load and line regulation over a wide input supply range. The device operates in a fixed 2.2 MHz switching frequency with constant on-time (COT) control to provide a fast load transient response. The MPM3632S offers full protection features, including output overvoltage protection (OVP), overcurrent protection (OCP), and thermal shut down. The MPM3632S is available in an EC LGA-10 (3 mm x 3 mm x 1.45 mm) package.

Features

  • Wide 4 V to 18 V operation input range
  • 0.5% accuracy output voltage
  • 3 A continuous output current
  • 2.2 MHz switching frequency
  • Power good indicator
  • Hiccup OCP protection
  • Output OVP protection
  • Fast transient response
  • Internally fixed soft-start time
  • Forced CCM mode
  • Available in an EC LGA-10 (3 mm x 3 mm) package

more information: https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/mpm3632s.html

Würth Elektronik introduces its WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor

Posted on by mixos

Würth Elektronik has developed a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor only 2 × 2 × 0.9 mm in size. Thanks to its low energy requirement and its calibrated and temperature-compensated digital output, the sensor measures humidity and temperature with long-term stability. The WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor is based on advanced MEMS technology: A dielectric polymer absorbs or releases water molecules in proportion to the relative humidity in the surroundings, thereby changing the permeability of a capacitor structure. The humidity sensor with integrated analog-digital converter and temperature sensor can be connected to commonly used microcontrollers via an I2C or SPI interface. With the help of the software development kit, which is also available, there is no faster/easier way to individually set data rates and use the interrupt pin.

Alongside classical applications, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, and cooling systems, thanks to its small size and minimized energy requirement, the WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor is also suitable for dataloggers, as well as stationary and portable IoT applications. For modern applications, Würth Elektronik provides developers with an evaluation board. The MEMS sensor delivers calibrated measurement results with superb accuracy of ±3.5% RH in the 20% to 80% RH humidity range. The sensor outputs at a data rate in the millisecond range. Condensate forming on the surface of the polymer structure can be removed again by activating a built-in heater – so the sensor can generate measured data again within a very short time. The operating temperature range of the robust sensor is –40 to +120 °C.

Characteristics

  • MEMS based capacitive sensing principle
  • Relative humidity range 0% to 100%
  • Embedded analog to digital converter
  • Fully calibrated 16 bit humidity and temperature output
  • I²C and SPI communication interface
  • Selectable output data rate up to 12.5 Hz
  • Operating temperature range: -40 °C to 120 °C
  • Sensor Software Development Kit
  • Sensor SDK User Manual

Easy to integrate

“With WSEN-HIDS, we are pleased to be able to offer one of the most innovative humidity and temperature sensors. The sensor promotes rapid terminal device development because developers can use a digital output directly via I2C or SPI and do not have to worry about calibration or temperature compensation,” explains Vinod Kumar Ramu, Product Manager at Würth Elektronik eiSos. “Very practical: The sensor’s interrupt pin can also be used to wake up the microcontroller if the humidity changes. This is ideal for economical and low-maintenance monitoring functions.”

The current consumption of the humidity sensor is 8.9 µA in continuous operation with measurement data available every second. Using a CR2032 button cell with 230 mAh capacity, this corresponds to a battery life of about three years. If the sampling rate is reduced, applications stay maintenance-free even longer.

The sensor is now available from stock without a minimum order quantity as a belt section or tape & reel package.

more information: https://www.we-online.com/catalog/en/WSEN-HIDS

TinyCharger – Single Cell Li-Ion Battery Charger with Monitoring

Posted on by mixos

TinyCharger is an ATtiny25/45/85-based, single-cell Li-ion battery charger with selectable charging current limit (100mA – 1000mA) and an OLED display for monitoring.

For battery charging the TP4056 is used. The TP4056 is a complete constant-current/constant-voltage linear charger for single cell lithium-ion batteries. The maximum charge voltage is fixed at 4.2V and the charge current can be programmed externally with a resistor. The total resistance is determined by three resistors connected in parallel, two of which can be switched on and off by the ATtiny via MOSFETs. The TP4056 automatically terminates the charge cycle when the charge current drops to 1/10th the programmed value after the final float voltage is reached. Other features include current monitor, under voltage lockout and automatic recharge.

An INA219 is used to measure voltage and current. The INA219 is a current shunt and power monitor with an I²C-compatible interface. The device monitors both shunt voltage drop and bus supply voltage, with programmable conversion times and filtering. A programmable calibration value, combined with an internal multiplier, enables direct readouts of current in amperes. The selected shunt resistance of 8 milliohms enables both a very small influence on the circuit and a measurement with a resolution of 1 milliampere. For an accurate measurement, a shunt resistor with a low tolerance (1% or better) should be selected.

You can get the source files and details of this project on GitHub.com

New Piezoelectric Film Haptic Actuator Made from Electro-active Polymer Film

Posted on by mixos

KEMET Introduces High-Definition Piezoelectric Film Haptic Actuator for Next Generation of User Interfaces

Thin-film actuators add haptic skin to any product surface to create localized, independent sensations at any frequency creating a wide range of tactile effects.

KEMET, part of the Yageo Group and leading global electronic components supplier, announces its innovative haptic solution: the piezoelectric polymer film haptic actuator. When embedded directly into a product’s surface, the actuator acts as haptic skin that provides localized bodily sensations and tactile effects unavailable with other haptic solutions currently in the market. KEMET film actuators enable design engineers to implement advanced haptic solutions with high-performance actuators in a broad spectrum of applications that include remote controls, smart buttons, medical devices, AR/VR, and anything in contact with hands, fingers, head, and lips.

While piezoelectric haptic solutions are found in many applications, they are often large and heavy, thus shaking the entire device. KEMET’s thin (150 µm), flexible and conformable haptic actuators are made from a proprietary, patent-protected paper-thin material, an electro-active polymer film, that enables piezoelectric effects to mimic the sense of touch. Unlike eccentric rotating mass (ERM) technology, which is often used in devices for haptic sensations, KEMET haptic actuators do not shake the entire device. KEMET’s lightweight piezoelectric polymer film actuators offer superior performance with a combination of displacement and force, as well as response time, thus offering high-definition haptic feedback.

These haptic actuators can convey specific material textures and familiar feelings, like the clicks and clacks of buttons, raindrops, and so much more through localized sensations on consumer devices’ surface. The wide bandwidth of the devices coupled with some physiology of touch and sensation allows for a richer user experience for many consumer devices, including gaming controllers, virtual reality (VR) haptic gloves, and devices with touch user interfaces. These haptic actuators offer an in-depth interaction with our consumer devices by using the sense of touch to increase immersion and user satisfaction.

According to a Cambridge, UK-based consultancy firm IDTechEx Research report, the market for haptics technology is growing exponentially and is set to be worth almost $5 billion in 2025. Its increasing use in smartphones will drive growth. Still, the technology is beginning to appear in other industry sectors and products where newer, more advanced haptics are making significant improvements in performance and versatility.

KEMET haptic actuators are available upon request via KEMET distributors. To learn more about their capabilities and applications, visit https://ec.kemet.com/sensors/.

Source: “Haptics 2020-2030: Technologies, Markets and Players,” James Hayward, IDTechEx Research

$19 Button Size Node 3 is an Arduino Pro-mini board with on-board LoRa

Posted on by Emmanuel Odunlade

Electronic enthusiast and hobbyist, Koresh, has designed an Arduino IDE compatible microcontroller for home automation and IoT, called the Button Size Node 3.

Button Size Node 3 is a low-cost wireless Arduino Pro-mini board with on-board LoRa RFM 95 or RFM 69 HW(CW) radio, external EPROM flash, crypto authentication chip, a light sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor.

The on-board radio transceivers provide an extremely good range, about hundreds of meters in open fields, the external flash chip allows burning Arduino sketch wirelessly while the onboard CryptoAuthentication chip makes communication with other controllers very secured. You may want to use the Button Size Node 3 as a universal sensor board for radio controlling DIY projects.

Features and Specifications Include:

  • Fully compatible with the Arduino IDE
  • 4 Layers PCB with larger ground plane improving range
  • Atmel ATSHA204A Crypto Authentication Security Chip
  • Preprogrammed Dual Optiboot bootloader – Implements over the air firmware update ability
  • LoRaRFM 95 or RFM 69-HW (high power consumption version) or CW (ultra-low power consumption version) 915/868/433 MHz Radio transceivers
  • FTDI header for programming
  • LED connected to pin 6
  • Reset button
  • External JDEC EPROM flash
  • W25X40CLNIG OTA flash
  • Si7021 temperature and humidity sensor
  • BH1750 light sensor – Spectral responsibility is approximately human eye response.
  • LIS3DH accelerometer (Full version only)
  • BMP280 barometer (Full version only)
  • SM351LT magnet sensor (Full version only)
  • Battery voltage sensor
  • High accuracy temperature sensor: Up to ±0.4 °C, –10 °C ~ 85 °C
  • Precision Relative Humidity Sensor: Up to ± 3% RH, 0 ~ 80% RH
  • Supply voltage: 3.5 V – 10 V
  • 3.3 V Digital and Analog pins
  • Powered by two CR2032 batteries in series with high-efficiency power converter (3.5-10V).
  • Sleep Current Consumption: 9 ~ 12 uA
  • Board Dimensions: 45mm x 23mm
  • Operating Temperature Range: -20 to +40 °C

Pricing and Availability

The Button Size Node 3 is available and currently sells on tindle for $19.00. There are two versions of the board: the full version and the light version. Some of the other nice additions attached to the Button Size Node 3 such as the LIS3DH accelerometer, the BMP280 barometer, and the SM351LT magnet sensor, are only available with the full version, while the external flash comes with the light version only.

Koresh is also the mastermind behind several other impressive projects that were introduced recently like the Easy PIR multisensors box, mini Relay box, and wall socket insertable node. The designer also has a few other projects that are still in the works like a mini dimmer box, a multiRF multi-voltage protobox and an RFM gateway. Hopefully, those should be completed and made available for the community soon.

Eduponics Mini, ESP32-Based smart-agriculture IoT kit

Posted on by Tope Oluyemi

STEMinds have posted details on Crowdsupply about the Eduponics Mini. The STEMinds Eduponics Mini is a smart-agriculture and IoT board that features an ESP32 module. The Eduponics Mini features an array of built-in sensors—including temperature, humidity, barometric, ambient light, water quantity, and soil moisture sensors – that function together to enable smart agriculture easy and affordable. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, with little power consumption, making it perfect for real-world IoT applications.

Speaking about the board, the company says:

”We believe that high-quality industrial-IoT and smart-agriculture technology should be accessible to everyone, not just to those with significant resources and technical expertise. Using MicroPython or Arduino IDE, you can design your smart garden in no time. We’ve assembled all of the documentation you will need to guide you, step-by-step, into the world of electronics and programming.”

Eduponics mini has a vast application in our daily lives and is accessible not just to the professionals or those with significant resources but to everyone. Amongst the applications are the following :

  • An IoT weather station
  • Hydroponics and aquaponics(using external sensors)
  • A smart aquarium
  • Environmental monitoring and data-driven irrigation projects
  • Plant growth and disease forecasts based on research
  • The development of the Eduponics mini has sparked the design of a user–friendly app for the system with a public MQTT broker on the backend and a React Native user interface which eliminates the need to set-up and maintain a database. It enables you to execute the following;
  • Monitoring and control of a limitless number of Plants
  • You can water and monitor your plants remotely, from any location
  • You can monitor soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and sunlight exposure.

The Application only supports soil moisture sensors for now, but the addition of hydroponics and even smart-aquarium projects are in the works. Furthermore, A Library has been created to enable modifications to virtually all aspects of the app. With this, Plants can be added, renamed, configure new sensors, and a lot more, it’s available on Android but will soon be integrated into the iOS platform.

The company has set goals, and one of them is giving us a product of the highest quality, and they have worked very hard taking their time to research the best possible sensor components on the market, the soil moisture sensors are suitable for real-life applications, long-term and will continue operating without supervision. Amongst set goals is the product compatibility with hydroponics and aquaponics, in regards to hydroponics we usually need to use multiple submersible sensors to measure the EC, TDS, ORP, PH and other indicators. These sensors usually are unable to operate at the same time without interfering with one another, but as usual, STEMinds came up with a solution, a solution that is easier and more effective than using relays to turn the sensors on and off. With the development of the Eduponics mini extension board, the analog sensor state can be toggled which allows multiple sensors to operate simultaneously without interference and when the sensors are not in use, no current flows which results in lower power consumption. The entire process is fully automated in the library and requires no additional code.

Talking about the idea behind the project, the company says:

“COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of inspiration for this project, the food shortages observed in the early days helped us to search for quick, efficient , at-home techniques for growing our own veggies and greens, studying a few high quality DIY water irrigation systems which includes the necessary control boards, modulus and sensory almost derailed our progress due to the high cost required to use existing solutions identified. Therefore, we decided to think out of the box by designing our smart-agriculture and IoT development kit called EDUPONICS MINI.”

Below are the components of the system :

  • Eduponics Mini Board
  • One STEMinds soil-moisture sensor (short)
  • Contact-less water quantity sensor and two-sided attachment sticker
  • Screwdriver for adjusting the potentiometer on the water-quantity sensor
  • 12 V submersible water pump
  • 12 V / 2 A DC power supply
  • USB Type-C data cable
  • Water hose for the pump
  • Water regulator to regulate the flow
  • Integrated ESP32-WROVER module with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support and an external antenna connector
  • Support 5-12 V power input via DC and USB Type-C interfaces
  • Compatible with Arduino IDE and MicroPython
  • XH2.54 2P Interface for pump, integrated with built-in relay
  • XH2.54 3P Interface for soil-moisture sensor (or any other analog or digital device)
  • XH2.54 4P Interface for water-quantity sensor
  • On/Off and Reset switches and a “wake-up” button to resume from deep-sleep mode
  • Integrated I²C RTC DS1307 module (coin-cell battery not included)
  • Integrated I²C BH1750 I²C light sensor
  • Integrated I²C BME280 temperature, humidity and barometric sensor (3 in 1)
  • Integrated I²C AT24C02 EEPROM
  • Extension pins for DHT11 / DHT22 sensors (DHT sensor not included)
  • IO Extension pins to connect extra sensors with 3.3 – 12 V output pins
  • Dimensions: 53 x 71 mm
  • Corrosion-resistant, Capacitive soil-moisture sensor
  • 5 V operating voltage, 3.3 V output (voltage regulator is built-in)
  • Highly accurate and precise
  • Short Sensor dimensions: 20 x 102.03 mm
  • Long Sensor dimensions: 20 x 155.03 mm.

STEMinds has also developed a custom extension board that includes an extremely accurate ADS1115 ADC and the MCP23017 IO extension, an extra four relays, and an extra four analog inputs that connect directly to the ADS1115 ADC. There will be additional extensions with sensors that monitor things like pH, EC, and water temperature.

Features of the board includes:

  • ADS1115 ADC chipset for precise analog data reading
  • MCP23017 IO chipset, connected directly to four relays and capable of activating and deactivating ADC sensors
  • External interrupt pins on data change for MCP23017
  • External interrupt alert on analog data changes for ADS1115
  • Four Relay modules with XH2.54 connectors and 5-24 V support
  • I²C interface (only two pins required)
  • I²C addresses changeable by changing resistors
  • Compatible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and other controllers
  • Dimensions: 53 x 71 mm

The company is offering a discounted price of $59 for the full Eduponics Mini kit. After the campaign, the price will be increased to $69. The Eduponics Mini Dev Board is currently available for $29, and will increase to $39, and the soil-moisture sensors will increase from $3 to $4 for the short sensor and from $4 to $5 for the long sensor. Note that the  Waterproof Soil-Moisture Sensors are limited edition and will not be available after the campaign.

For more information, visit the campaign page on Crowdsupply.

Solar-Powered Li-Po Rechargeable Battery Offers High Power Capacity

Posted on by Tope Oluyemi

A campaign for a new set of lithium rechargeable batteries has been launched on Kickstarter called Solarcell. Solarcell is the latest of Lithium rechargeable batteries with a USB-C connection that offers a high power capacity and is extremely safe. There’s a large selection of battery models to help you power up any of the devices you own and use regularly. Solarcell is the best option for powering all of your devices because it has more energy, better safety, and high rechargeability.

To power all of our technology and gadgets, we still rely on a large number of disposable batteries. AA and AAA batteries are commonly used in household appliances like TV remote controls, game controllers, electric razors, toothbrushes, computer peripherals, and other electronic devices. However, Solarcell is different from these conventional AA batteries. It is modern, convenient, and offers renewable energy. They are the pioneers of Lithium polymer (Li-Po) rechargeable batteries with USB-C connections for 18650 batteries.

In comparison to traditional Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, Solarcell is powered by Lithium polymer, which has a much greater energy capacity and hence higher voltage output. One AA Li-Po battery, for example, is capable of delivering a constant voltage of 1.5V, on the other hand, one AA Ni-MH battery can only deliver 1.2V. Solarcell stores and generate more energy than other technologies, it can also be charged via any USB-A to C or USB-C to C cable courtesy of its USB-C connection. This enables you to charge them from a wall outlet, a power bank, a laptop, or even a solar panel. Li-Po batteries are very economical because they have a 10-year life cycle and 1200 charge cycles. This helps you save money when you purchase it, instead of purchasing disposable batteries. 1 Li-Po battery will save you 1200 disposable batteries over the course of a year.

Solarcell batteries save you time since they can be charged rapidly in about 1-3 hours, depending on their capacity. In contrast, older Ni-MH batteries take up to 10-12 hours to charge. While charging, Li-Po batteries consume 30% less power from the grid. Another advantage of the Solarcell is that it reduces carbon emissions, and also eliminates the need for disposable batteries, which can result in significant land pollution and other issues if the used battery cells are not properly treated. Backers of Solarcell will receive a solar panel as a reward.

Throughout their life span, Li-Po batteries maintain a self-discharge rate of around 4-5 percent per month. If they’ve been left for a while, they’ll need to be recharged before they can be used again. However, because of their low self-discharge rate, Li-Po rechargeable batteries are more convenient to use, offer a longer storage life, and do not have the same problems as Ni-MH batteries.

To protect the Solarcell batteries from overheating and overcharging, the company utilizes a custom-designed PCB in the battery to ensure maximum safety. Apart from power leakage protection and short circuit protection, high-pressure and over-current protection are also added. The red light on the battery illuminates when the Solarcell is being charged via USB-C cable. The light turns green when the charging process is complete.

For more information about the Solarcell batteries, visit the campaign page on Kickstarter.

TOP PCB Companies