Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Question - Best way to determine charging status
I have a couple of hand held battery operated vacuums.
The internal brass charging contacts that are suppose to make contact when the power switch is turned off will not always conduct good enough to recharge the batteries. It is a bad design that I have been unable to correct by modifying the contacts. What I have been able to do is to wiggle the off switch every time I need to recharge. This gives me the best shot at seating the contacts.This has worked for the most part. The problem is that I can not determine %100 of the time if the vacuum is actually charging. Here's the question............The vacuum uses a low voltage AC output brick power supply. Is there a way to make a add on pickup/sensor for the brick or two conductor charging wire that will let me know if the contacts are made and current is flowing? I do not want to cut into the circuit. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I used to use a small low voltage light bulb sized such that is just
glowed dimly when the battery was charging. The bulb needs to be wired in SERIES with the power supply output. If you don't know what that means then someone here can give you more help. Mark |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
On 3 May 2005 14:01:31 -0700, "Mark" wrote:
I used to use a small low voltage light bulb sized such that is just glowed dimly when the battery was charging. The bulb needs to be wired in SERIES with the power supply output. If you don't know what that means then someone here can give you more help. Mark I'd rather not cut into the circuit. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
wrote in message ... I have a couple of hand held battery operated vacuums. The internal brass charging contacts that are suppose to make contact when the power switch is turned off will not always conduct good enough to recharge the batteries. It is a bad design that I have been unable to correct by modifying the contacts. What I have been able to do is to wiggle the off switch every time I need to recharge. This gives me the best shot at seating the contacts.This has worked for the most part. The problem is that I can not determine %100 of the time if the vacuum is actually charging. Here's the question............The vacuum uses a low voltage AC output brick power supply. Is there a way to make a add on pickup/sensor for the brick or two conductor charging wire that will let me know if the contacts are made and current is flowing? I do not want to cut into the circuit. One old trick was to take a piece of thin insulator and add thin contacts on either side with wire leads. Slip it into the base socket and attach a meter. -- N |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Yet another tub caulking question (sorry!) -this time about color | Home Repair | |||
new foundation question | Home Repair | |||
Simple question regarding Ceiling tiles and sound? | UK diy | |||
Simple question regarding Ceiling tiles and sound? | Home Repair | |||
Plumbing Question | UK diy |