Rc Battery Monitor Log , 4.5v To 6v

[FAKHREALAM]

I am starting building RC Voltage Monitor, it will display input voltage by 8 leds. It will measure voltage from 4.5v to 6v or higher.

Here is the video link of initial design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcbaiRIi5jU

Here is the picture of the initial protptype.


Fakhre Alam

[FAKHREALAM]

Here is image of working circuit. Pot used as variable voltage input.

Fakhre Alam

[FAKHREALAM]

Here is image of 1st MSP430F2012 PCB, its will connect with the led board. Cost will be under US$5.00. It will be made in USA.

Fakhre Alam

[FAKHREALAM]

Here is the working board, I will do all this on double side PCB with LED on one side and MPS430F2012 on other side. You will get USB stick from Ti for $20.00 and make your own, it comes with free IDE software. I will share my software with you all.

Fakhre Alam

[FAKHREALAM]

Here is working board with 4.8 v and 7.2 v battery. The total cost will be

1) MS430F2012 ($1.5)
2) PCB ($0.5 to $1.0)
3) LEDS and RESISTORS, 3.3V REGULATOR ($1.00)
4) RC SERVO CABLE ($0.50)

The total cost will around US$3.5 to US$4.00. It can measure and display voltage 4v to 6v but can take input voltage from 4.0 v to 15 v.

Fakhre Alam

[Tomapowa]

Alright... guess I'll have to be the one to ask...

What does this (your batt. monitor) do that this (pictured/linked) does not ...?

http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2038


http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/catalog/HXTVR01.jpg

[FAKHREALAM]

Alright... guess I'll have to be the one to ask...

What does this (your batt. monitor) do that this (pictured/linked) does not ...?

http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2038


http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/catalog/HXTVR01.jpg

Mine will the best available in the market of this class of product.

1) 1st of all its made in USA.
2) Its designed with best parts in the world.
3) All specs and diagrams are mentioned.
4) Will provide u voltage by SPI or UART or I2C port.
5) No games in shipping.
6) Not a copy of some one else design, we are not in Asia.
7) Vin range from 15 v to 4 volt.
8) Allow u to use it with different battery voltage just by changing the jumper or dip sw.
9) Leds current consumption is less by doing multiplexing at 30 HZ.

You can not compare my design with some thing which have no digram and specs and features. It different state of mind here and in Asia.


Fakhre Alam

[rc_sjo]

4) Will provide u voltage by SPI or UART or I2C port.

This appears to be the only factual difference...

[FAKHREALAM]

This appears to be the only factual difference...

The product you are talking about does not even provide the power consumption. Its up to you if u see only one diff, from my point of view my product will consume less power then the other ones and will have new design with all documentation provided as well as open source software.

1) 1st of all its made in USA.
2) Its designed with best parts in the world.
3) All specs and diagrams are mentioned.
4) Will provide u voltage by SPI or UART or I2C port.
5) No games in shipping.
6) Not a copy of some one else design, we are not in Asia.
7) Vin range from 15 v to 4 volt.
8) Allow u to use it with different battery voltage just by changing the jumper or dip sw.
9) Leds current consumption is less by doing multiplexing at 30 HZ.

Fakhre Alam

[rc_sjo]

1) 1st of all its made in USA.Why is this a benefit over being manufacturered elsewhere in the world?

2) Its designed with best parts in the world.So far we've only seen a proto board. Doesn't look very 'best parts' so far. Perhaps some more detail or a production version photo?

3) All specs and diagrams are mentioned.Is this truly important when all people want is a voltage indicator?

4) Will provide u voltage by SPI or UART or I2C port.Great feature, for the few that would make use of it.

5) No games in shipping.Not really sure what you mean here. I buy products from many countries around the world and rarely have issues. If by 'games' you actually mean 'import duty' then well, that's just a fact of life.

6) Not a copy of some one else design, we are not in Asia.I think that's pretty racist.

7) Vin range from 15 v to 4 volt.Something which others may also do? Yet to be proven.

8) Allow u to use it with different battery voltage just by changing the jumper or dip sw.The alternatives do this also.

9) Leds current consumption is less by doing multiplexing at 30 HZ.At least some of the others are multiplexed also.


I'm not trying to poo-poo your product, more infact trying to help you avoid wasting time on re-inventing the wheel. Don't take it personally :D

[FAKHREALAM]

I'm not trying to poo-poo your product, more infact trying to help you avoid wasting time on re-inventing the wheel. Don't take it personally :D


Please use technical language, no bad words (poo-poo). Its nothing personal. Please post the product specs from manufacture along with spec doc and diagram and test results. If you even find specs doc let me know

1) current consumption
2) input voltage range
3) how long leds will last
4) product life
5) part list with numbers
6) circuit diagram
7) firmware upgrade option.

I will be very happy to review this product and post the results.

Fakhre Alam

[Tomapowa]

Hate to say but for "2 for $10 delivered"...
(http://cgi.ebay.com/2-RC-Hobby-7-LED-Battery-Voltage-Indicator-Monitor_W0QQitemZ270418899401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRa dio_Control_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef638f1c9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
)
...I don't think many customers worry about specs like that... they simply want it to display voltage... and is affordable. If/when it breaks... you simply throw it away and get another for $5. Unless you sell thousands of these, you will not make $ selling another version of something as simplistist as this. Don't take it personnally but I think you need to get into a better market niche...

As for specs... (taken from simlar product from Tower Hobbies):

FEATURES: 7-LEDs provide instant, accurate battery voltage status of Low, Safe,
or Max. Only one LED glows at a time
Small switch to select 4.8V or 6V battery
Very lightweight, only .15oz (4.3g) unit can mount on the side
of the fuselage, or under the plane's canopy
Draws amazingly low current - from 4-34mA depending on the battery
voltage
Plugs into any open receiver channel using a Futaba J connector
One year warranty

INCLUDES: One VoltWatch2 On-Board Receiver Battery Monitor w/Futaba J plug
One 1.5"x1" piece of double sided mounting tape

REQUIRES: Plugging into any unused receiver port
Mounting onto the airplane with double-sided tape

SPECS: Length: 1.65" (42mm)
Width: .63" (16mm)
Height: .16" (4mm)
Weight: .15oz (4.3 grams)
Current Draw: approx 4-34mA
Lead Length: 198mm (7.79")

[FAKHREALAM]

Hate to say but for "2 for $10 delivered"...
(http://cgi.ebay.com/2-RC-Hobby-7-LED-Battery-Voltage-Indicator-Monitor_W0QQitemZ270418899401QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRa dio_Control_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef638f1c9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
)
As for specs... (taken from simlar product from Tower Hobbies):

REQUIRES: Plugging into any unused receiver port
Mounting onto the airplane with double-sided tape

SPECS: Current Draw: approx 4-34mA
Lead Length: 198mm (7.79")

Note: taken from simliar product from Tower Hobbies (selling for $12.00).
Note: Draws amazingly low current - from 4-34mA depending on the battery
voltage (its high when your battery have only 4.8v and 600mah)

I am not making it for $ any way, I can import same product from China for
$1.5 to $2.00 and sell in USA for $4.00 to $5.00, not an issue. I know what I getting from there. Specs not up to what I need, then parts used are 3rd grade. All parts I used in my design are from Mouser and Digikey (they are 1st grade parts, cost more money any way). This product I am working on it, its not for money any way.

1) Its for people who want to check the battery voltage on their UAV or FOV or u can use it with OSD.
2) I am adding current sensor too and u can get value by serial port.
3) For normal user cost matters but for high end user quality matters.
4) I am doing this just for fun, for making money China is the good place to buy and manufacture, get it from china and sell all around the world.
5) Let me know why Current Draw: approx 4-34mA, no way if u are turning one led on at time, if u know how multiplex 7 seg works (if u have 3 seven segment digits, only one lit at a time, so seven leds will turn on and the current consumption will be for only 1 led (10ma) current X 7 = 70 ma.
The data you provide it seems to me no-multiplex. Put the scope and check, post the digital image.
6) I am adding some new features to the old available product. Low end market does not have enough juice in it, if u do all your assembly is China you are good and make 100% to 400% by selling it to USA and around the world.

Thanks for the feed back. I am making all these for fun any way. Thanks all for the good feedback.

Fakhre Alam

[Tomapowa]

Hi Fakhre,
The idea of trying to compete w/ China is moot...
I simply can not see how you can build these for $5... (incl PCB, parts, leds, wire, assembly, packing, etc...).

Your niche should be in designing a "DIY" voltage/current monitor... like I heard you mention previously, sharing schematics, PCBs and code. I've messed a little with the TI micro stuff in the past but most like myself use PICs and AVRs. Feel free to post away... I like the DIY nature of your project.

[rc_sjo]

Please use technical language, no bad words (poo-poo). Its nothing personal. Please post the product specs from manufacture along with spec doc and diagram and test results.

It's not my job to provide the specs. You have made unsubstantiated claims that your product is superior to another without knowing the competitors spec yourself. Why should I or anyone else have to find data that backs up YOUR claims? That's your job.

As per Tomapowa, releasing the schematic, PCB design, hex and BOM would be a better idea than trying to produce these products for sale.

[FAKHREALAM]

As per Tomapowa, releasing the schematic, PCB design, hex and BOM would be a better idea than trying to produce these products for sale.

I made it for fun in 2 days (complete prototype, around 8 to 10 hr, it cost me $10.00 per hr around = 10x10 = US$100.00 for 1st prototype, u can divide it by 100 pieces so the development cost will be $1.00 per piece), when it will be available for sale, I will add all needed documentation. Its for the people who know C language and add more option if they want too as per their need, kind of development board. Same way as when we buy kit or board from sprakfun.

Thanks.
Fakhre Alam

[lazy-b]

Fakhre Alam,

Nice project and thanks for sharing....

almost all my RC Helicopter and Airplane use a simple LM3914 and 10 LED Voltage indicator.......works perfectly for more than 20 years.

one disadvantage of using a 10 LED display is that you can not see it at a Distance.

look like a single LED display is more simple, just need to drill a single Hole in the Plane or Helicopter. you could use a different Blink rate to indicate Voltage Level.....

since its a microcontroller base, its nice to have an automatic Voltage Level Data log, you can program it to record the Last 15 minutes flight, anything happen, you can recall all the Voltage Data log by just plugging it into computer.

[FAKHREALAM]

Fakhre Alam,

Nice project and thanks for sharing....

almost all my RC Helicopter and Airplane use a simple LM3914 and 10 LED Voltage indicator.......works perfectly for more than 20 years.

one disadvantage of using a 10 LED display is that you can not see it at a Distance.

look like a single LED display is more simple, just need to drill a single Hole in the Plane or Helicopter. you could use a different Blink rate to indicate Voltage Level.....

since its a microcontroller base, its nice to have an automatic Voltage Level Data log, you can program it to record the Last 15 minutes flight, anything happen, you can recall all the Voltage Data log by just plugging it into computer.

Its a very cool idea, I will add the data logger too, user can download the last 15 minutes flight data (battery voltage, current and power) by PC COM port. Will be cool.

Fakhre Alam