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boosting battery voltage

J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?

If I know what it is called, I can google for it.

TIA,
Joe
 
P

petrus bitbyter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?

If I know what it is called, I can google for it.

TIA,
Joe

Joe,

Google for "boost mode smps"

petrus
 
G

Gareth

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?
Yes, there are ICs which do this.

Look for Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), switching regulators or
DC-DC converters. There are devices which can step the voltage up and
devices which can step the voltage down, obviously you want the "boost"
or "step up" type.

National Semiconductor have a good selection of ICs, see:

http://www.national.com/parametric/0,1850,1758,00.html

see also:

www.maxim-ic.com
www.linear.com
www.ti.com


--
 
G

Gary Lecomte

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?

If I know what it is called, I can google for it.

TIA,
Joe

You could possibly use a ICL7660, and only two batteries. It will almost double it.

Gary
 
C

Colubris

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?

If I know what it is called, I can google for it.

TIA,
Joe

Hi Joe,
Try "DC to DC converter" (or similar) "step up" "Switching power
supply" "boost converter"
Might have an easier time just trying different style / chemistry
batts though.

Good Luck,
Arch
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
petrus bitbyter said:
I

Joe,

Google for "boost mode smps"

petrus

Thank you, Petrus. Lots of hits, I will have to sort thru them. I was
hoping to find a simple circuit that I could build myself to do what I need.
There are some circuits out there that show basically an inductor, a switch,
and a cap or RC network. The switch looks like some kind of transistor, but
It didn't show what was driving it. Anyway, at least now I know what to look
for.

Joe
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Gareth said:
Yes, there are ICs which do this.

Look for Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), switching regulators or
DC-DC converters. There are devices which can step the voltage up and
devices which can step the voltage down, obviously you want the "boost"
or "step up" type.

National Semiconductor have a good selection of ICs, see:

http://www.national.com/parametric/0,1850,1758,00.html

see also:

www.maxim-ic.com
www.linear.com
www.ti.com


--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To reply to me directly:

Replace privacy.net with: totalise DOT co DOT uk and replace me with
gareth.harris


Thanks for the links, Gareth. I will be sorting thru those sites the next
few hours.

Joe
 
R

Robert C Monsen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
I have an application where I need to use 5V (433MHZ receiver module). I am
using batteries (alkaline 1.5V). I have tried using 4 batteries and then
using a diode to drop the voltage to about 5.4Volts, but, because of space
constraints in this project, I was wondering if there is any such (fairly
simple) circuit that would allow me to use 3 batteries (total 4.5V) and
somehow get my 5 volts. The spec of the RX module is 4.5 to 5.5 Volts, but
it does not seem to perform very well at 4.5V so I would like to use at
least 5Volts. Is this possible?

If I know what it is called, I can google for it.

TIA,
Joe

Hi Joe.

Go to http://www.linear.com/software/, and download LTSpice (its free.) If
you install it, and open "switch selector guide" from the file menu, it'll
prompt you for input and output voltages and current requirements, and then
design a SMPS for you automatically (using one of linear's parts, of
course.)

You can also build these from discrete components, but its going to be
simpler to get something going with one of these chips and a few spare
parts.

Regards,
Bob Monsen
 
J

Jamie

Jan 1, 1970
0
if the receiver is not drawing to much you can get a DC-DC converter chip.
they have some average ones that can produce up to 1 amp using power
source as low as .9 volts the last time i looked.
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Gary Lecomte said:
You could possibly use a ICL7660, and only two batteries. It will almost double it.

Gary

Hi Gary,

Thanks for that info. The ICL7660 only supplies 10mA, but, while on that
same page (Maxim), I found the maxim 1759. I am not sure yet if this will
work, but I will keep looking. My requirement is now to be able to use 2 C
alkaline cells to generate 5V for a 433MHZ receiver module and its
associated decoder (HT12D). When the data is received, at first, all I plan
on doing is usint a nor gate latch and flashing a LED (~20mA), but
eventually I want to turn on a solenoid to press the shutter button on a
camera (will need possibly up to 200mA).

I found a home brew boost converter on the web somewhere and have only
LTspiced it so far, but it looks like it is very load sensitive and draws a
huge amount of current when the transistor is on. I can post it to ABSE if
anyone is interested.

Joe
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Colubris said:
Hi Joe,
Try "DC to DC converter" (or similar) "step up" "Switching power
supply" "boost converter"
Might have an easier time just trying different style / chemistry
batts though.

Good Luck,
Arch

Thanks Arch,

Is there a such thing as a 5Volt battery that's not terribly expensive?
(This is a hobby project, probly one or two at most). If not, what would you
suggest for style/chemistry? I need 5 volts and at least 50mA capability,
possibly more if I use a solenoid.

Joe
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert C Monsen said:
I

Hi Joe.

Go to http://www.linear.com/software/, and download LTSpice (its free.) If
you install it, and open "switch selector guide" from the file menu, it'll
prompt you for input and output voltages and current requirements, and then
design a SMPS for you automatically (using one of linear's parts, of
course.)

You can also build these from discrete components, but its going to be
simpler to get something going with one of these chips and a few spare
parts.

Regards,
Bob Monsen

Thanks Robert,

I have LTSPICE, but did not think to look at their components. I seem to
remember that their ICs needed a lot of spare components. I can check again.
Just scroll down the component list. Maybe I shoul ask on the yahoo LTSPICE
list I am on, duh! (LOL)

Joe
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jamie said:
if the receiver is not drawing to much you can get a DC-DC converter chip.
they have some average ones that can produce up to 1 amp using power
source as low as .9 volts the last time i looked.
Thanks Jamie,

1 amp would be more than adequate, Any part numbers come to mind?

Joe
 
W

Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert C Monsen said:
module). I
am

Hi Joe.

Go to http://www.linear.com/software/, and download LTSpice (its free.) If
you install it, and open "switch selector guide" from the file menu, it'll
prompt you for input and output voltages and current requirements, and then
design a SMPS for you automatically (using one of linear's parts, of
course.)

You can also build these from discrete components, but its going to be
simpler to get something going with one of these chips and a few spare
parts.

Regards,
Bob Monsen

But do they still sell their chips in thru-hole versions? Most of what
I see on Maxim is surface mount.
 
J

Joe

Jan 1, 1970
0
Watson A.Name - "Watt Sun said:
But do they still sell their chips in thru-hole versions? Most of what
I see on Maxim is surface mount.


Thanks for the info, watts. Just about everything i am finding is surface
mount. I did find something in the mouser catalog and I ordered a couple of
them today to see if they will work. The part number is ST619LBN. It comes
in a dip 8 package and you just have to hang 4 capacitors onto it.

Joe
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joe said:
Hi Gary,

Thanks for that info. The ICL7660 only supplies 10mA, but, while on that
same page (Maxim), I found the maxim 1759. I am not sure yet if this will
work, but I will keep looking. My requirement is now to be able to use 2 C
alkaline cells to generate 5V for a 433MHZ receiver module and its
associated decoder (HT12D). When the data is received, at first, all I plan
on doing is usint a nor gate latch and flashing a LED (~20mA), but
eventually I want to turn on a solenoid to press the shutter button on a
camera (will need possibly up to 200mA).

I found a home brew boost converter on the web somewhere and have only
LTspiced it so far, but it looks like it is very load sensitive and draws a
huge amount of current when the transistor is on. I can post it to ABSE if
anyone is interested.

Joe
It's probably just laziness on my part, but if I had room for two C
cells and a SMPS, I'd probably use 4 AAs and a diode.

Have fun!
Rich
 
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