madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: thesameage on November 05, 2014, 06:44:48 PM

Title: Low voltage battery indicator circuit?
Post by: thesameage on November 05, 2014, 06:44:48 PM
Has anyone ever built one?

Basically, it's an LED indicator that let's you know when your battery drops below a certain voltage. I'd love to build one for my active bass. Here's an example of a commercial one, but it's $40... gotta be easier to make one yourself: http://www.bestbassgear.com/john-east-bli-01-led.htm
Title: Re: Low voltage battery indicator circuit?
Post by: electrosonic on November 05, 2014, 07:59:02 PM
Boss pedals have a zener diode in the LED path.  The LED dims before the pedal is affected by the dying battery - so you know to change the battery before your audio is compromised.

Andrew.
Title: Re: Low voltage battery indicator circuit?
Post by: thesameage on November 05, 2014, 08:03:28 PM
Interesting...

There's no LED on my internal bass preamp, but maybe there's a way to adapt that zener technology to add an LED that would only light up when the battery is dying?
Title: Re: Low voltage battery indicator circuit?
Post by: davent on November 05, 2014, 08:35:38 PM
That zener method.

http://www.dazatronyx.com/tech/low-battery-led-fading/

I would think the resistor value would need to be adjusted for your particular LED.

Title: Re: Low voltage battery indicator circuit?
Post by: thesameage on November 05, 2014, 08:41:11 PM
Just found this... it's something. Gotta learn vero!

http://www.paulinthelab.com/2012/11/low-battery-indicator-9v-stripboard.html