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  1. TenderTendon

    solonoid controler

    Nice! Although this would take up a little more space, it really simplifies the circuit and component selection. Edit: Actually, it could take up a lot more space, depending on the current requirements of the solenoid...
  2. TenderTendon

    solonoid controler

    One thing I forgot to mention to Harald: Nice circuit design. Very simple and creative!
  3. TenderTendon

    solonoid controler

    It is very hard to understand "Don't go by the circuit diagram", when that is what I have been doing my entire life. This is just another reason that I am having such a hard time grasping modern day electronics. Nobody's fault but mine. I am an old dog, and you know what they say about old...
  4. TenderTendon

    solonoid controler

    I am obviously looking at it in entirely the wrong way. My background is industrial maintenance for the past 30 years. Switch 1 and 2 appear to be relays to me, with both wired to their N/O contacts which would present a dead short. The model directives are over my head. I'm very sorry for...
  5. TenderTendon

    solonoid controler

    I'm confused by this drawing. It appears that supply V1 will be directly shorted out when V2 energizes switch1 and switch2.
  6. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    All of the components arrived today. I have a PIC wired up and connected to the PICKIT3. I am able to communicate with the PIC with MPLAB IPE. I can read and erase, so I assume I'm connected properly. Where do we go from here?
  7. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    OK, I'll get a couple of the Microsemi. Just curious - as we are using batteries as a power source, what conditions would expose the diode to a damaging level?
  8. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    OK, thanks...
  9. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    The PICKIT3 arrived today. The software that was included is MPLAB IDE V8.70, which according to Microchip's software archive page is rather old. There are newer versions of MPLAP IDE available, but only for 32 bit Windows. I am running 64 bit Windows 7. They seem to have done away with MPLAB...
  10. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    OK, I would like to get all the parts ordered to build a couple protos. So, is the plan to use a Schottky or P channel MOSFET? What would be a good choice for the reservoir cap? Thanks!
  11. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Sorry, I'm confused. I thought we abandoned the idea of pulsing the MOSFET off to recharge the cap. Edit: Approximately how long would a 10uF cap run the PIC with the MOSFET in the on state?
  12. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    OK, a couple more quick question... With a 33 ohm resistor in place, and a 3.7v cell installed, how long will it take to completely charge that 10uF cap? The reason I ask is that 33 ohm resistor will cut the run time by approximately 14%. Approximately how long would that 10uF cap be able to run...
  13. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    I don't have the PIC or MOSFET here yet. I just wanted to experiment with this driver to find the lowest value resistor I can use that won't mess with the mode switching operation.
  14. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Sorry, had a ton of work to get caught up on today. Hopefully I can find some time tomorrow to do a voltage vs. current test on that driver. I can also experiment with the effect a paralleled resisitor has on the driver's operation. Any guestimate on the resistor value that would be needed, so I...
  15. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Kris, Looks fantastic to me. We are definitely on the same wavelength. Yes, the driver operates exactly as you describe. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with junk like this and everyone accepts it due to the low cost. I have been trying to get some well designed drivers made for the past...
  16. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Marketing the open source certainly isn't, but copying the original appearance and using trademarked names without authorization for the purpose of deception definitely is.
  17. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Sorry I can't give more information. I know it would make your job easier. I was able to locate schematic of that driver. Looks like it might cause a .5v drop?
  18. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    The LED driver is used for it's flexibility. It allows the customer to set up his light exactly the way they want. The LED driver would never be replaced by the switch alone, as all end user customization would be lost. 2.8v is the minimum useful voltage of a LI-Ion and IMR cell. I see you were...
  19. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    Easier said than done. We are talking about a simple flashlight here. The current path is simply: bat(-), switch, metal flashlight tube, LED driver, bat(+). Bringing a separate constant (+) back down to the switch is an electronic piece of cake, but a mechanical nightmare to execute. I am a...
  20. TenderTendon

    Microcontroller controlled by pushbutton for LED flashlight

    That is all it does. Yes, it provides current limiting. Some drivers have boost circuits, but with today's low Vf LED's and Li-Ion battery availability, they aren't used much any more. Not sure what you are asking here. It's a flashlight. To provide light in darkness.
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