devmonkey
Jun 09, 2004, 06:41 PM
Hi,
I have been looking for an ldo regulator to build an ultra simple lipoly charger from. It needs to be ldo since I need to charge 3S (12.6v) from around 14v. Micrel make some excellent regulators.
http://www.micrel.com/_PDF/mic29150.pdf
My question is this: The datasheet says that the devices include current limiting and that in overload conditions the output current will be constant. Does this imply that If i was to pick a regulator that was rated at the max charge current (say 1.5A) I required and simply set it to regulate to 12.6v open circuit that in the initial part of the charge it would drop the output voltage to lower the current to 1.5A?
If this is correct then the charger could be built with only 4 components. They also have an error flag which indicates the device is in an over current condition. This could be used to light an LED during the constant current part of the charge.
What do you think?
Joe
I have been looking for an ldo regulator to build an ultra simple lipoly charger from. It needs to be ldo since I need to charge 3S (12.6v) from around 14v. Micrel make some excellent regulators.
http://www.micrel.com/_PDF/mic29150.pdf
My question is this: The datasheet says that the devices include current limiting and that in overload conditions the output current will be constant. Does this imply that If i was to pick a regulator that was rated at the max charge current (say 1.5A) I required and simply set it to regulate to 12.6v open circuit that in the initial part of the charge it would drop the output voltage to lower the current to 1.5A?
If this is correct then the charger could be built with only 4 components. They also have an error flag which indicates the device is in an over current condition. This could be used to light an LED during the constant current part of the charge.
What do you think?
Joe