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anubis51
Crew Chief
Australia
932 Posts |
 Posted - 06/15/2012 : 8:12:36 PM
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Hi all,
Here is a handy little tool that I use around the workbench. I find it very useful for testing circuits and checking all manners of globes, LEDs, and other components. .[:-bulb]
It consists of four D-cell battery holders in series, and a section of terminal strip, all of which are assembled together onto a piece of three-ply or stout cardboard.
I used a silicone-based roof and gutter-sealant to bond all the sections together, and set it aside to cure for a day or so, with a house brick on top to weight it down.
The feeder cables are then soldered onto the battery holder tags and routed to the terminal strip at the lower edge, following this diagram.
You simply clip the D-cell batteries into the holders. Then you can tap whichever voltage you require from the appropriate terminals, knowing that it will never exceed the selected voltage.
Of course, there is no reason why you cannot add as many D-cells as you wish, up to and over 12V if necessary, but my immediate requirements were for the lower voltages, up to 6V.
It could also be built using C-cells, or even AA-cells with their appropriate holder clips, which would make the unit smaller, but this would also lower the length of usage you would get from the D-cells. (I have had this one running for over four years, and I am still on the original set of batteries!)
The whole unit cost less than ten dollars, (excluding batteries) and took me about two hours to get up and running.
My only problem now is remembering where I left it…[:-banghead][:-bigeyes]
Let me know how you go with yours!
John
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Time is the Gauge of Existence |
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Multi-Voltage Battery Pack
