Recent Posts

81

YouTube Video Episodes / Solar Panel Test Bed - Part 1

« Last post by SeanB on September 28, 2020, 10:29:58 AM »

Solar Panel Test Bed - Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdGYz647KCg

In this 3 part series I discuss the following:
* The process and this to take into account to build my solar panel tester
* Why do thin film / amorphous solar panels potentially perform better under low light and shading than other solar panel technologies.
* The build and calibration of my solar panel test bed.

Support me through Patreon or by using my Amazon Store:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjlorton
Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20

82

YouTube Video Episodes / ZA 0:22 / 22:50 Vlog #1 - Keeping Viewer's Attention...

« Last post by SeanB on September 16, 2020, 01:57:42 PM »

Vlog #1 - Keeping Viewer's Attention...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBnGkID4omo

A vlog about some of my frustrations and the challenges on our attention span...and keeping eyes on screens!

Support me through Patreon or by using my Amazon Store:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjlorton
Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20

83

YouTube Video Episodes / T4D #146 - Delays and other bits...

« Last post by SeanB on September 16, 2020, 01:47:43 PM »

T4D #146 - Delays and other bits...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G23ZV7o7UN8

Visit my website  - http://www.mjlorton.com/

PCBWay SMT Service only $30 with Quick Turnaround Time https://www.pcbway.com/

I've been delayed in getting videos out...a little chat about that and some future projects:
* The next Odd Ball Review:
CURCONSA 2 in 1 Adjustable Switching Regulated Bench Power Supply with Digital Soldering Iron Tool:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BZHB185

* Work on my solar panel test area

* I talk about a device on working on to measure the spectral response of solar panels.

* The InfiRay / iRay Technology C200 Thermal Camera up for review soon:

http://www.infiray.com/products.html


Support me through Patreon or by using my Amazon Store:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjlorton
Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20

Editor's note:
Sorry about the slight delay, been doing a PC rebuild and update, going to SSD for things. big difference. Just a little stress in the final part having to reset the BIOS as it borked up and set a password. Been a busy 2 days of work, coming amongst a whole lot of other things as well.

84

YouTube Video Episodes / Re: DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current

« Last post by bsodmike on September 11, 2020, 09:32:58 AM »

Thanks Sean - I'm planning to make this my build, at least for an isolated 240VAC bench supply using this Toroid https://export.farnell.com/hammond/del-182n117/transformer-234v-2-x-117v-500va/dp/4607442

(1) Use a chinese chepo 240VAC -> 24VDC 200W LED Power supply as the input end:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHLFFYT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A2DYIB4IPW7T3M&psc=1

(2) This is wired to a digital buck converter PSU. The advantage here is we can program OCP protection any time.  This can be set to drive an output of 15VDC.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744BT79M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=AFHAE9RJVUMB&psc=1

(3) I would order this inverter from Farnell; it's the only one supporting 240VAC output for the lowest cost
https://export.farnell.com/ea-elektro-automatik/ea-srx-pb-300-12/inverter-dc-ac-12vdc-230vac/dp/1335838

(4) Feed the 240VAC from the inverter into the Toroid (https://export.farnell.com/hammond/del-182n117/transformer-234v-2-x-117v-500va/dp/4607442) via HRC fuses.
(5) Install Toroid inside a metal casing, with the casing grounded to earth.
(6) IEC plug connected to Toroid only has the isolated Live/neutral supply.  No earth or any connection to mains-earth reference.

Anything else to consider for safety?

85

YouTube Video Episodes / Re: DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current

« Last post by SeanB on September 10, 2020, 12:07:34 PM »

Yes, the most common types of variable voltage transformer use the same winding for both the mains input and the output, so the isolation between input and output is essentially none, as one end of the winding is a common point. more complex types use either a second transformer to provide isolation between mains input and output, and there are some designs that use a second winding wound around the core, isolated from the variable winding with some robust insulation, so that electrically the windings are separate. Both options are not commonly encountered, and are quite rare.

I however have used a variable voltage transformer with a separate transformer to provide both mains voltage reduction and isolation, using a 50VA toroidal transformer to provide 12VAC to the variable voltage unit, so I could get a variable 0-12VAC supply at up to 5A, as the variable transformer I was using, a unit otherwise unusable as it was originally designed for 115VAC 400HZ avionics use, was not meant to operate on 50Hz without serious derating of the input voltage, and 12VAC was well within the VHZ product, so the core would not saturate. Still use it as a benchtop adjustable AC supply, though for a number of years it did sterling service driving a 12V halogen lamp, as a dimmer to tame the light output as needed. No Rf or switching noise from it at all, as the control was totally linear with no semiconductors involved.

86

YouTube Video Episodes / Re: DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current

« Last post by bsodmike on September 10, 2020, 10:29:39 AM »

I found the rotary switch here:
https://export.farnell.com/schneider-electric/k10b001uch/rotary-switch-1-pole-10a-400v/dp/3108265

Also Martin someone told me that variacs are dangerous in the sense that they are not always fully isolated. His exact comment: "99.99% of all Variacs do not *NOT* provide any isolation whatsoever."

Care to comment?

87

YouTube Video Episodes / Re: DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current

« Last post by bsodmike on September 10, 2020, 06:40:32 AM »

Awesome, Martin could you share details on the components used.

I'm also interested in some of the switches you've used, so a full detail of parts would be greatly appreciated.  Bits I'm after:

- Illuminated power switch
- Illuminated AC output on/off switch.
- AC power/energy meter
- Auto transformer? Perhaps I could just use a variac like this: (power here is 240VAC)
https://export.farnell.com/multicomp/mc2f-1/transformer-variable-2a/dp/1086028
- 1/0/2 selector switch

Thanks!

88

YouTube Video Episodes / Re: DIY Bench Power Supply no 8

« Last post by bsodmike on September 09, 2020, 06:08:05 AM »

Hi Martin,

Replying here to keep my comment relevant.  Could you share details on the Heatsink you've used as this looks ideal for the same Hammond box.
I would like to use it on my CC DC load build as well, thanks!

89

YouTube Video Episodes / DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current

« Last post by SeanB on September 02, 2020, 12:06:37 PM »

DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current Trip-Pt1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTLJrcjPo-k

DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current Trip-Pt2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Tv_MJcb-g

A look at my DIY / Prototype AC Power Source with Adjustable Current Trip.
I compare it's performance to the Sencore PR570 Powerite II Variable Isolation Transformer Safety Analyzer.

Support me through Patreon or by using my Amazon Store:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjlorton
Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20

90

YouTube Video Episodes / SOK LiFePO4 Battery & ZKE Tech EBC-A10H Battery Tester / Analyzer

« Last post by SeanB on August 22, 2020, 12:56:54 PM »

SOK LiFePO4 Battery & ZKE Tech EBC-A10H Battery Tester / Analyzer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp2wmDzFsl4

A "quick" look at the SOK 100 AH LiFePO4 Battery sent to me for testing and the
 EBC-A10H Battery Tester / Analyzer I will test it with.
* SOK 100 AH LiFePO4 Battery:

https://www.sokbattery.com/100ah-12v-lifepo4-deep-cycle-battery.html

https://www.amazon.com/SOK-Battery-Applications-Temperature-Disconnected/dp/B087BP1Z63

* ZKE Tech EBC-A10H Battery Tester / Analyzer:

http://www.zketech.com/pd.jsp?id=17#_pp=2_303https://www.seeedstudio.com/ZKETECH-E...

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1726729/Zketech-Ebc-A10h.html?page=2#manual

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5A-Charge-10A-Discharge-Multifunction-Current-Battery-Capacity-Tester-USA-STOCK/264810749949?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

https://www.seeedstudio.com/ZKETECH-EBC-A10H-AC-Electronic-Load-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Powe-Supply-Tester-30V-10A-150W-p-4522.html


 Support me through Patreon or by using my Amazon Store:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjlorton
Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20