USB Power Booster

The USB serial bus can be configured for connecting several peripheral devices to a single PC. It is more complex than RS232, but faster and simpler for PC expansion.Since a PC can supply only a limited power to the external devices connected through its USB port, when too many devices are connected simultaneously, there is a possibility of power shortage. Therefore an external power source has to be added to power the external devices.

Circuit diagram:

USB Power Booster Circuit Diagram

In USB, two different types of connectors are used: type A and type  B. The circuit presented here is an add-on unit, designed to add more power to a USB supply line (type-A). When power signal from the PC (+5V) is received through socket A, LED1 glows, opto-diac IC1 conducts and TRIAC1 is triggered, resulting in availability of mains supply from the primary of transformer X1. Now transformer X1 delivers 12V at its secondary, which is rectified by a bridge rectifier comprising diodes D1 through D4 and filtered by capacitor C2.

 Pin configurations of moc3021, bt136 and 5v regulator 7805

Regulator 7805 is used to stabilise the rectified DC. Capacitor C3 at the output of the regulator bypasses the ripples present in the rectified DC output. LED1 indicates the status of the USB power booster circuit. Assemble the circuit on a general-purpose PCB and enclose in a suitable cabinet. Bring out the +5V, ground and data points in the type-A socket. Connect the data cables as assigned in the circuit and the USB power booster is ready to function.

http://www.ecircuitslab.com/2011/12/usb-power-booster.html

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5 to 15V Regulated Power Supply Rise

Regulated Power Supply

This project is a normal DC regulated power supply that is a variable DC voltage range from 5V to 15V. It can supply current up to  400mA to power the various circuits for your electronic projects. The voltage output is varied by using the potentiometer V.R1. In this circuit, the input line power supply is designed for 240V.A.C. If 110VAC input is used, alter the ratings of the varistor to 150VAC & the transformer ratio to 110V/12V. 

Fuse F1 is used as a protection in case theres any short circuit in the circuit. Varistor V1 is connected in parallel to the input of the line voltage to clamp the surge voltage from the line to a reasonable level that helps to protect the transformer & other circuitry. One time the voltage level surge to a high level beyond the ability of the varistor to absorb it, fuse F1 or varistor V1 or both will burn. If this circuit failed after a period of operation, check that the fuse & the varistor are still in nice condition or else replace them.

Diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 are used to rectify the 12V.A.C voltage to DC voltage. Electrolytic capacitor E1 is used as a smoothing capacitor to reduce the ripple of the DC voltage. The DC voltage is fed in to the input of 7805 regulator where the output DC voltage is obtained. Changing the worth of VR1 will alter the output of the DC voltage. Capacitor C1 is used to filter out high frequency part from the power supply.

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Simple Stereo VU Meter

I like to see lights move to music. This project will indicate the volume level of the audio going to your speakers by lighting up LEDS. The LEDS can be any color so mix them up and really make it look good. The input of the circuit is connected to the speaker output of your audio amplifier. You want to build two identical units to indicate both right and left channels. The input signal level is adjusted by the 10k ohm VR. If you wish to make a very large scale model of this unit and hang it on your wall there is an optional output transistor that can drive many LEDS at once. The unit I built drove three LEDS for each output. The sequence of the LEDS lighting are as follows Pin 1, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10.

Streampowers

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Laser Level Detector

Rotating laser levels, which are very handy  for setting objects in a room or garden at the  same height, are available at prices of a few  dozen pounds. At relatively large distances  and for outdoor use, the light from the rotating laser beam is often not easy to see, and  the laser beam detector described here can  be useful in such situations. The detector  works well at distances up to 50 metres (150  feet) and consists entirely of standard components. The detector is housed in a plastic case  that can be fixed to an object (such as a post  or a beam). It has three LEDs and a beeper that  indicate whether the object should be raised  or lowered.

LEDs with a transparent package and integrated lens (round surface) are used as sensors. The top and bottom detection zones  each have five LEDs and two opamps (IC1a &  IC1b or IC1c & IC1d), which drive the ‘Move  Up’ and ‘Move Down’ indicator LEDs. The middle sensor LED drives the ‘OK’ indicator LED  via two opamps (IC2a & IC2b).  The rising edges of the opamp output signals  trigger three separate monostable multivibrators (type CD4047). If desired, the circuit  shown inside the dashed outline (one gate of a  CD4044 quad RS latch) can be used in place of  each of the monostable multivibrators. In this  case the output signal has the opposite polar-ity, so the BS170 N-channel MOSFET must be  replaced by a P-channel type.

The monostable time of the middle retriggerable MMV should be longer than the rotation period of the laser (e.g. with a 2 rpm laser  it should be longer than 500 ms) so that the  beeper will emit a continuous tone. Most  rotating laser levels have variable speed, so  this can also be achieved by adjusting the peed if necessary. The monostable times of  the upper and lower MMVs are dimensioned  to generate clearly distinguishable short and  long beeps, respectively. The three MOSFETs  (T1, T2 and T3) are configured as a wired-OR  gate to drive the shared beeper. The fourth  MOSFET (T4) drives the ‘OK’ LED.

The circuit can be housed in an enclosure  together with three penlight cells.

Source: http://www.ecircuitslab.com/2012/05/laser-level-detector.html

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