Magnetic Levitation

How Levitation Works


If you hold two permanent magnets close together, you see that one of them will jump strongly toward (or away) from the other. In 1842, Samuel Earnshaw expressed the perversity of inanimate magnetic objects in his theorem. It explains this frustrating behavior will always prevent you from suspending one permanent magnet above or below another, no matter how one arranges the two magnets. However, an active control circuit can get around this problem by rapidly adjusting the magnet's strength.


Click this image to see closeup of antigravity relay (38K) The general principle is straight forward: An electromagnet pulls a ball upward while a light beam measures the exact position of the ball's top edge. The magnet's lifting force is adjusted according to position.


As less light is detected, the circuit reduces the electromagnet's current. With less current, the lifting effect is weaker and the ball can move downward until the light beam is less blocked. Voila! The ball stays centered on the detector! It is a small distance across the photodetector, perhaps a millimeter or two, but this is sufficient to measure small changes in position. Of course, if the ball is removed the coil runs at full power. And conversely, if the light beam is blocked the coil is turned completely off.



Click here to see image of breadboard circuit (54K) This device uses two photodetectors: the "signal" detector looks for an interruption in the light beam, and the "reference" detector measures the background light. The circuit subtracts one signal from the other to determine the ball's position. The use of two detectors is my small contribution to advance the art of levitation. This design automatically compensates for changes in ambient light, and eliminates a manually

Magnetic Levitation Parts List

Resistors

Resistors listed in order by value are 1/4-watt, 5% unless otherwise indicated.

• 300 ohms R11
• 500 ohms R2
• 1,000 ohms R1, R12, R13, R14
• 1,500 ohms R10
• 10,000 ohms R4
• 11,000 ohms R6
• 22,000 ohms R8
• 56,000 ohms R3
• 100,000 ohms R5
• 150,000 ohms R7
• 370,000 ohms R9
• 50K linear taper VR1 (and VR2 opt.)

Capacitors

• C1,C2 47 uF electrolytic
• C3 0.1 uF ceramic or tantalum (must not be electrolytic)

Semiconductors

• Q1,Q2 OP505A infrared photo detector, or equivalent
• Q3 2N3055 NPN power transistor
• LED1,2,4 Red light-emitting diode
• LED 3 Infrared LED emitter
• IC1-4 LM741 op amp, Radio Shack 276-007
• D1 1N4001 (or 1N4004) silicon diode, 50v (or more) peak inverse voltage

Miscellaneous

• +/- 15 vdc power supply, 1 amp
• 9 vdc power supply, 1 amp
• Breadboard wiring pad (or printed circuit board by Amadeus)
• 18-ga stranded wire for power
• Solid hook-up wire
• 24-ga (or thicker) magnet wire for lifting coil
• 6-terminal barrier strip (2 ea.)
• Wood for base and frame
• Alternatives for the LM741 Op-Amp

I chose the LM741 op-amp out of nostalgia and convenience. It was an extremely successful and common op-amp about twenty years ago.

There are lots of modern choices for dual- and quad-package op-amps. By using a package with multiple op-amps, you can reduce the number of parts and lower the cost. For example, you could use a single quad-package op-amp instead of four separate 741s. This would allow a very small printed circuit board to contain all the electronics!

Muscular Bio-Stimulator

Particularly suitable for cellulite treatment
3V battery supply, portable set

Device purpose:

This is a small, portable set, designed for those aiming at look improvement. The Bio-Stimulator provides muscles' stimulation and invigoration but, mainly, it could be an aid in removing cellulite.


Tape the electrodes to the skin at both ends of the chosen muscle and rotate P1 knob slowly until a light itch sensation is perceived. Each session should last about 30 - 40 minutes.

Parts:

• P1______________4K7 Linear Potentiometer
• R1____________180K 1/4W Resistor
• R2______________1K8 1/4W Resistor (see Notes)
• R3______________2K2 1/4W Resistor
• R4____________100R 1/4W Resistor
• C1____________100nF 63V Polyester Capacitor
• C2____________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
• D1______________LED Red 5mm.
• D2___________1N4007 1000V 1A Diode
• Q1,Q2_________BC327 45V 800mA PNP Transistors
• IC1____________7555 or TS555CN CMos Timer IC
• T1_____________220V Primary, 12V Secondary 1.2VA Mains transformer (see Notes)
• SW1____________SPST Switch (Ganged with P1)
• B1_____________3V Battery (two 1.5V AA or AAA cells in series etc.)

Warning:

The use of this device is forbidden to Pace-Maker bearers and pregnant women.
Do not place the electrodes on cuts, wounds, injuries or varices.
Obviously we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device.

Circuit operation:

IC1 generates 150µSec. pulses at about 80Hz frequency. Q1 acts as a buffer and Q2 inverts the polarity of the pulses and drives the Transformer. The amplitude of the output pulses is set by P1 and approximately displayed by the brightness of LED D1. D2 protects Q2 against high voltage peaks generated by T1 inductance during switching.

Notes:

• T1 is a small mains transformer 220 to 12V @ 100 or 150mA. It must be reverse connected i.e. the 12V secondary winding across Q2 Collector and negative ground, and the 220V primary winding to output electrodes.
• Output voltage is about 60V positive and 150V negative but output current is so small that there is no electric-shock danger.
• In any case P1 should be operated by the "patient", starting with the knob fully counter-clockwise, then rotating it slowly clockwise until the LED starts to illuminate. Stop rotating the knob when a light itch sensation is perceived.
• Best knob position is usually near the center of its range.
• In some cases a greater pulse duration can be more effective in cellulite treatment. Try changing R2 to 5K6 or 10K maximum: stronger pulses will be easily perceived and the LED will shine more brightly.
• Electrodes can be obtained by small metal plates connected to the output of the circuit via usual electric wire and can be taped to the skin. In some cases, moistening them with little water has proven useful.
• SW1 should be ganged to P1 to avoid abrupt voltage peaks on the "patient's" body at switch-on, but a stand alone SPST switch will work quite well, provided you remember to set P1 knob fully counter-clockwise at switch-on.
• Current drawing of this circuit is about 1mA @ 3V DC.
• Some commercial sets have four, six or eight output electrodes. To obtain this you can retain the part of the circuit comprising IC1, R1, R2, C1, C2, SW1 and B1. Other parts in the diagram (i.e. P1, R3, R4, D1, D2, Q2 & T1) can be doubled, trebled or quadrupled. Added potentiometers and R3 series resistors must be wired in parallel and all connected across Emitter of Q1 and positive supply.
• Commercial sets have frequently a built-in 30 minutes timer. For this purpose you can use the Timed Beeper the Bedside Lamp Timer or the Jogging Timer circuits available on this Website, adjusting the timing components to suit your needs.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulator

Current generated flows through clips placed on the earlobes Output current adjustable from 80 to 600 microAmperes

Device purpose:

Owing to the recent launching in Europe of Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) portable sets, we have been "Electronically Stimulated" in designing a similar circuit for the sake of Hobbyists. CES is the most popular technique for electrically boosting brain power, and has long been prescribed by doctors, mainly in the USA, for therapeutic reasons, including the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chemical dependency. CES units generate an adjustable current (80 to 600 microAmperes) that flows through clips placed on the earlobes. The waveform of this device is a 400 milliseconds positive pulse followed by a negative one of the same duration, then a pause of 1.2 seconds. The main frequency is 0.5 Hz, i.e. a double pulse every 2 seconds. Some people report that this kind of minute specialized electrical impulses contributes to achieve a relaxed state that leaves the mind alert.


Obviously we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device, but if you are interested in trying it, the circuit is so cheap and so simple to build that an attempt can be made with quite no harm.

Parts:

• R1_____________1M5 1/4W Resistor
• R2____________15K 1/4W Resistor
• R3___________100K Linear Potentiometer
• R4_____________2K2 1/4W Resistor
• C1___________330nF 63V Polyester Capacitor
• C2___________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
• D1_____________3mm. Red LED
• IC1___________7555 or TS555CN CMos Timer IC
• IC2___________4017 Decade counter with 10 decoded outputs IC
• SW1___________SPST Slider Switch
• B1______________9V PP3 Battery
• Clip for PP3 Battery
• Two Earclips with wires (see notes)

Circuit operation:

IC1 forms a narrow pulse, 2.5Hz oscillator feeding IC2. This chip generates the various timings for the output pulses. Output is taken at pins 2 & 3 to easily obtain negative going pulses also. Current output is limited to 600µA by R2 and can be regulated from 80 to 600µA by means of R3. The LED flashes every 2 seconds signaling proper operation and can also be used for setting purposes. It can be omitted together with R4, greatly increasing battery life.

Notes:

• In order to obtain a more precise frequency setting take R1=1M2 and add a 500K trimmer in series with it.
• In this case use a frequency meter to read 2.5Hz at pin 3 of IC1, or an oscilloscope to read 400msec pulses at pins 2, 3 or 10, adjusting the added trimmer.
• A simpler setting can be made adjusting the trimmer to count exactly a LED flash every 2 seconds.
• Earclips can be made with little plastic clips and cementing the end of the wire in a position suited to make good contact with earlobes.
• Ultra-simple earclips can be made using a thin copper foil with rounded corners 4 cm. long and 1.5 cm. wide, soldering the wire end in the center, and then folding the foil in two parts holding the earlobes.
• To ensure a better current transfer, this kind of devices usually has felt pads moistened with a conducting solution interposed between clips and skin.
• Commercial sets have frequently a built-in timer. Timing sessions last usually 20 minutes to 1 hour. For this purpose you can use the Timed Beeper the Bedside Lamp Timer or the Jogging Timer circuits available on this website, adjusting the timing components in order to suit your needs.

IC Controlled Emergency Light with Charger

The circuit shown here is that of the IC controlled emergency light. Its main features are: automatic switching-on of the light on mains failure and battery charger with overcharge protection. When mains is absent, relay RL2 is in deenergised state, feeding battery supply to inverter section via its N/C contacts and switch S1. The inverter section comprises IC2 (NE555) which is used in stable mode to produce sharp pulses at the rate of 50 Hz for driving the MOSFETs. The output of IC3 is fed to gate of MOSFET (T4) directly while it is applied to MOSFET (T3) gate after inversion by transistor T2. Thus the power amplifier built around MOSFETs T3 and T4 functions in push-pull mode.



The output across secondary of transformer X2 can easily drive a 230-volt, 20-watt fluorescent tube. In case light is not required to be on during mains failure, simply flip switch S1 to off position.

Battery overcharge preventer circuit is built around IC1 (LM308). Its non inverting pin is held at a reference voltage of approximately 6.9 volts which is obtained using diode D5 (1N4148) and 6.2-volt zener D6. The inverting pin of IC1 is connected to the positive terminal of battery. Thus when mains supply is present, IC1 comparator output is high, unless battery voltage exceeds 6.9 volts. So transistor T1 is normally forward biased, which energises relay RL1. In this state the battery remains on charge via N/O contacts of relay RL1 and current limiting resistor R2. When battery voltage exceeds 6.9 volts (overcharged condition), IC1 output goes low and relay RL1 gets deenergised, and thus stops further charging of battery. MOSFETs T3 and T4 may be mounted on suitable heat sinks.

Water Softener Circuit

That circuit is based at a technique to remove or neutralize the salt in water, and protect the pipes at home as well as the washing machines or our selves from salt. Its called water softener and its automated circuit using two 555 timers. The cost of parts is nearly 10$ and its very easy to build it.

Automatic Room Lights

n ordinary automatic room power control circuit has only one light sensor. So when a person enters the room it gets one pulse and the lights come ‘on.’ When the person goes out it gets another pulse and the lights go ‘off.’ But what happens when two persons enter the room, one after the other? It gets two pulses and the lights remain in ‘off’ state. The circuit described here overcomes the above-mentioned problem. It has a small memory which enables it to automatically switch ‘on’ and switch ‘off’ the lights in a desired fashion. The circuit uses two LDRs which are placed one after another (separated by a distance of say half a metre) so that they may separately sense a person going into the room or coming out of the room. Outputs of the two LDR sensors, after processing, are used in conjunction with a bicolour LED in such a fashion that when a person gets into the room it emits green light and when a person goes out of the room it emits red light, and vice versa.



These outputs are simultaneously applied to two counters. One of the counters will count as +1, +2, +3 etc when persons are getting into the room and the other will count as -1, -2, -3 etc when persons are getting out of the room. These counters make use of Johnson decade counter CD4017 ICs. The next stage comprises two logic ICs which can combine the outputs of the two counters and determine if there is any person still left in the room or not. Since in the circuit LDRs have been used, care should be taken to protect them from ambient light. If desired, one may use readily available IR sensor modules to replace the LDRs.

The sensors are installed in such a way that when a person enters or leaves the room, he intercepts the light falling on them sequentially—one after the other. When a person enters the room, first he would obstruct the light falling on LDR1, followed by that falling on LDR2. When a person leaves the room it will be the other way round. In the normal case light keeps falling on both the LDRs, and as such their resistance is low (about 5 kilo-ohms). As a result, pin 2 of both timers (IC1 and IC2), which have been configured as monostable flip-flops, are held near the supply voltage (+9V).

When the light falling on the LDRs is obstructed, their resistance becomes very high and pin 2 voltages drop to near ground potential, thereby triggering the flip-flops. Capacitors across pin 2 and ground have been added to avoid false triggering due to electrical noise. When a person enters the room, LDR1 is triggered first and it results in triggering of monostable IC1.

The short output pulse immediately charges up capacitor C5, forward biasing transistor pair T1-T2. But at this instant the collectors of transistors T1 and T2 are in high impedance state as IC2 pin 3 is at low potential and diode D4 is not conducting. But when the same person passes LDR2, IC2 monostable flip-flop is triggered. Its pin 3 goes high and this potential is coupled to transistor pair T1-T2 via diode D4. As a result transistor pair T1-T2 conducts because capacitor C5 retains the charge for some time as its discharge time is controlled by resistor R5 (and R7 to an extent).

Thus green LED portion of bi-colour LED is lit momentarily. The same output is also coupled to IC3 for which it acts as a clock. With entry of each person IC3 output (high state) keeps advancing. At this stage transistor pair T3-T4 cannot conduct because output pin 3 of IC1 is no longer positive as its output pulse duration is quite short and hence transistor collectors are in high impedance state. When persons leave the room, LDR2 is triggered first followed by LDR1.

Since the bottom half portion of circuit is identical to top half, this time with the departure of each person red portion of bi-colour LED is lit momentarily and output of IC4 advances in the same fashion as in case of IC3. The outputs of IC3 and those of IC4 (after inversion by inverter gates N1 through N4) are ANDed by AND gates (A1 through A4) are then wire ORed (using diodes D5 through D8). The net effect is that when persons are entering, the output of at least one of the AND gates is high, causing transistor T5 to conduct and energise relay RL1.

The bulb connected to the supply via N/O contact of relay RL1 also lights up. When persons are leaving the room, and till all the persons who entered the room have left, the wired OR output continues to remain high, i.e. the bulb continues to remains ‘on,’ until all persons who entered the room have left. The maximum number of persons that this circuit can handle is limited to four since on receipt of fifth clock pulse the counters are reset.

The capacity of the circuit can be easily extended for up to nine persons by removing the connection of pin 1 from reset pin (15) and utilising Q1 to Q9 outputs of CD4017 counters. Additional inverters, AND gates and diodes will, however, be required.

Running Message Display

Light emitting diodes are advan- tageous due to their smaller size, low current consumption and catchy colours they emit. Here is a running message display circuit wherein the letters formed by LED arrangement light up progressively. Once all the letters of the message have been lit up, the circuit gets reset. The circuit is built around Johnson decade counter CD4017BC (IC2). One of the IC CD4017BE’s features is its provision of ten fully decoded outputs, making the IC ideal for use in a whole range of sequencing operations. In the circuit only one of the outputs remains high and the other outputs switch to high state successively on the arrival of each clock pulse.



The timer NE555 (IC1) is wired as a 1Hz astable multivibrator which clocks the IC2 for sequencing operations. On reset, output pin 3 goes high and drives transistor T7 to ‘on’ state. The output of transistor T7 is connected to letter ‘W’ of the LED word array (all LEDs of letter array are connected in parallel) and thus letter ‘W’ is illuminated. On arrival of first clock pulse, pin 3 goes low and pin 2 goes high. Transistor T6 conducts and letter ‘E’ lights up. The preceding letter ‘W’ also remains lighted because of forward biasing of transistor T7 via diode D21. In a similar fashion, on the arrival of each successive pulse, the other letters of the display are also illuminated and finally the complete word becomes visible. On the following clock pulse, pin 6 goes to logic 1 and resets the circuit, and the sequence repeats itself. The frequency of sequencing operations is controlled with the help of potmeter VR1.

The display can be fixed on a veroboard of suitable size and connected to ground of a common supply (of 6V to 9V) while the anodes of LEDs are to be connected to emitters of transistors T1 through T7 as shown in the circuit. The above circuit is very versatile and can be wired with a large number of LEDs to make an LED fashion jewellery of any design. With two circuits connected in a similar fashion, multiplexing of LEDs can be done to give a moving display effect.

Electronic Scoring Game

You can play this game alone or with your friends. The circuit comprises a timer IC, two decade counters and a display driver along with a 7-segment display.

The game is simple. As stated above, it is a scoring game and the competitor who scores 100 points rapidly (in short steps) is the winner. For scoring, one has the option of pressing either switch S2 or S3. Switch S2, when pressed, makes the counter count in the forward direction, while switch S3 helps to count downwards. Before starting a fresh game, and for that matter even a fresh move, you must press switch S1 to reset the circuit. Thereafter, press any of the two switches, i.e. S2 or S3.

On pressing switch S2 or S3, the counter’s BCD outputs change very rapidly and when you release the switch, the last number remains latched at the output of IC2. The latched BCD number is input to BCD to 7-segment decoder/driver IC3 which drives a common-anode display DIS1. However, you can read this number only when you press switch S4. The sequence of operations for playing the game between, say two players ‘X’ and ‘Y’, is summarised below:

Player ‘X’ starts by momentary pressing of reset switch S1 followed by pressing and releasing of either switch S2 or S3. Thereafter he presses switch S4 to read the display (score) and notes down this number (say X1) manually.
Player ‘Y’ also starts by momentary pressing of switch S1 followed by pressing of switch S2 or S3 and then notes down his score (say Y1), after pressing switch S4, exactly in the same fashion as done by the first player.
Player ‘X’ again presses switch S1 and repeats the steps shown in step 1 above and notes down his new score (say, X2). He adds up this score to his previous score. The same procedure is repeated by player ‘Y’ in his turn.
The game carries on until the score attained by one of the two players totals up to or exceeds 100, to be declared as the winner.

Several players can participate in this game, with each getting a chance to score during his own turn. The assembly can be done using a multipurpose board. Fix the display (LEDs and 7-segment display) on top of the cabinet along with the three switches. The supply voltage for the circuit is 5V

Wiper Speed Control

A continuously working wiper in a car may prove to be a nuisance, especially when it is not raining heavily. By using the circuit described here one can vary sweeping rate of the wiper from once a second to once in ten seconds. The circuit comprises two timer NE555 ICs, one CD4017 decade counter, one TIP32 driver transistor, a 2N3055 power transistor (or TIP3055) and a few other discrete components.


Timer IC1 is configured as a mono- stable multivibrator which produces a pulse when one presses switch S1 momentarily. This pulse acts as a clock pulse for the decade counter (IC2) which advances by one count on each successive clock pulse or the push of switch S1. Ten presets (VR1 through VR10), set for different values by trial and error, are used at the ten outputs of IC2.

But since only one output of IC2 is high at a time, only one preset (at selected output) effectively comes in series with timing resistors R4 and R5 connected in the circuit of timer IC3 which functions in astable mode. As presets VR1 through VR10 are set for different values, different time periods (or frequencies) for astable multivibrator IC3 can be selected.


The output of IC3 is applied to pnp driver transistor T1 (TIP32) for driving the final power transistor T2 (2N3055) which in turn drives the wiper motor at the selected sweep speed. The power supply for the wiper motor as well as the circuit is tapped from the vehicle’s battery itself. The duration of monostable multivibrator IC1 is set for a nearly one second period.

Ultrasonic Pest Repellant

This electronic circuit is an ultrasonic pest repellant are repelled by variabble ultrasonic frequency in the range of 30 kHz to 50 kHz. Thus to increase the effectiveness, frequency of ultrasonic oscillator has to be continuously varied between certain limits.


By using this circuit design, frequency of emission of ultrasonic sound is continuously varied step-by-step automatically. Here five steps of variation are used but the same can be extended up to 10 steps, if desired. For each clock pulse output from op-amp IC1 CA3130 (which is wired here as a low-frequency square wave oscillator), the logic 1 output of IC2 CD4017 (which is a well-known decade counter) shifts from Q0 to Q4 (or Q0 to Q9).

Five presets VR2 through VR6 (one each connected at Q0 to Q4 output pins) are set for different values and connected to pin 7 of IC3 (NE555) electronically. VR1 is used to change clock pulse rate. IC3 is wired as an astable multivibrator operating at a frequency of nearly 80 kHz. Its output is not symmetrical. IC4 is CD4013, a D-type flip-flop which delivers symmetrical 40kHz signals at its Q and Q outputs which are amplified in push-pull mode by transistors T1, T2, T3 and T4 to drive a low-cost, high-frequency piezo tweeter.

For frequency adjustments, you may use an oscilloscope. It can be done by trial and error also if you do not have an oscilloscope. This pest repeller would prove to be much more effective than those published earlier because here ultrasonic frequency is automatically changed to cover different pests and the power output is also sufficiently high. If you want low-power output in 30-50 kHz ultrasonic frequency range then the crystal transducer may be directly connected across Q and Q outputs of IC4 (transistor amplifier is not necessary).

2-Way Electronic Crossover Network

The electronic crossover featured here is an 18dB / octave unit, and has the crossover frequency centred on 300Hz. The frequency may be changed by increasing (or decreasing) resistor / capacitor values.

Increasing capacitance or resistance - Reduces frequency

• Doubling the capacitance or resistance halves the frequency

Reducing capacitance or resistance - Increases frequency

• Halving the capacitance or resistance doubles the frequency

The values of resistance and capacitance (indicated with a * in the circuit diagram) in the filter are critical, and close tolerance components are mandatory. If you cannot obtain close tolerance capacitors, use a capacitance meter to select values within 5% of the indicated value. Use only 1% metal film resistors throughout. The 1uF coupling caps are not critical, and standard tolerance is Ok.


If the crossover frequency is changed, it is critical that the ratios of capacitor and resistor values are not varied. For example, if you wanted to halve the frequency, the resistors would become 22k and 102k (100k is only just acceptable. If the ratios are changed, the filter damping is also changed, and the behaviour at the crossover point will be unpredictable (causing a dip or peak in the frequency response).

The values you change to alter the crossover frequency are indicated with a * in the circuit diagram

Do not change the 10k resistors - they set the damping of the filter and strange happenings will befall s/he who fiddles indiscriminately.

the NE5532 Dual op-amp is used. This circuit can be operated from the same power supply as the Audio Preamp, featured elsewhere on these pages. Other dual opamps may also be used, depending on your preference.
The input is buffered by U1a (the second channel can use the other half of the op-amp), and fed to the two filter networks. Each filter is a 3rd order section, and has a gain of 2. The output of each section is fed (via a 1uF polyester capacitor) to the level control and output buffer stage.
In use, the output of the preamplifier is fed to the input of the crossover network, and the outputs are fed to their respective amplifiers. For more information on bi-amping, refer to the article "Bi-Amplification - Not quite magic (but close)" on these pages.

Be careful when adjusting the level controls, since it is easy to create a mismatch in levels between the amplifiers. I suggest that the controls be mounted on the rear panel, with their shafts cut off really short, and a slot cut into the end with a hacksaw. Once the adjustment is made, it should not require further changes in use. Make sure that the power amplifier volume controls (if fitted) are turned fully up, and try to set the crossover controls so somewhere between midway and 75%. This ensures plenty of scope for getting the levels right, and will ensure that the preamp settings are not radically different from their "pre-biamp" days.

Car Parking Sensor

This circuit was designed as an aid in parking the car near the garage wall when backing up. LED D7 illuminates when bumper-wall distance is about 20 cm., D7+D6 illuminate at about 10 cm. and D7+D6+D5 at about 6 cm. In this manner you are alerted when approaching too close to the wall.

All distances mentioned before can vary, depending on infra-red transmitting and receiving LEDs used and are mostly affected by the color of the reflecting surface. Black surfaces lower greatly the device sensitivity. Obviously, you can use this circuit in other applications like liquids level detection, proximity devices etc.

Circuit operation:

IC1 forms an oscillator driving the infra-red LED by means of 0.8mSec. pulses at 120Hz frequency and about 300mA peak current. D1 & D2 are placed facing the car on the same line, a couple of centimeters apart, on a short breadboard strip fastened to the wall. D2 picks-up the infra-red beam generated by D1 and reflected by the surface placed in front of it. The signal is amplified by IC2A and peak detected by D4 & C4. Diode D3, with R5 & R6, compensates for the forward diode drop of D4. A DC voltage proportional to the distance of the reflecting object and D1 & D2 feeds the inverting inputs of three voltage comparators. These comparators switch on and off the LEDs, referring to voltages at their non-inverting inputs set by the voltage divider resistor chain R7-R10.

Parts List:

• R1 - 10K 1/4W Resistor
• R2,R5,R6,R9 - 1K 1/4W Resistors
• R3 - 33R 1/4W Resistor
• R4,R11 - 1M 1/4W Resistors
• R7 - 4K7 1/4W Resistor
• R8 - 1K5 1/4W Resistor
• R10,R12-R14 - 1K 1/4W Resistors
• C1,C4 - 1µF 63V Electrolytic or Polyester Capacitors
• C2 - 47pF 63V Ceramic Capacitor
• C3,C5 - 100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitors
• D1 - Infra-red LED
• D2 - Infra-red Photo Diode (see Notes)
• D3,D4 - 1N4148 75V 150mA Diodes
• D5-7 - LEDs (Any color and size)
• IC1 - 555 Timer IC
• IC2 - LM324 Low Power Quad Op-amp
• IC3 - 7812 12V 1A Positive voltage regulator IC

Notes:

• Power supply must be regulated (hence the use of IC3) for precise reference voltages. The circuit can be fed by a commercial wall plug-in adapter, having a DC output voltage in the range 12-24V.
• Current drawing: LEDs off 40mA; all LEDs on 60mA @ 12V DC supply.
• The infra-red Photo Diode D2, should be of the type incorporating an optical sunlight filter: these components appear in black plastic cases. Some of them resemble TO92 transistors: in this case, please note that the sensitive surface is the curved, not the flat one.
• Avoid sun or artificial light hitting directly D1 & D2.
• If your car has black bumpers, you can line-up the infra-red diodes with the (mostly white) license or number plate.
• It is wiser to place all the circuitry near the infra-red LEDs in a small box. The 3 signaling LEDs can be placed far from the main box at an height making them well visible by the car driver.
• The best setup is obtained bringing D2 nearer to D1 (without a reflecting object) until D5 illuminates; then moving it a bit until D5 is clearly off. Usually D1-D2 optimum distance lies in the range 1.5-3 cm.
• If you are needing a simpler circuit of this kind driving a LED or a relay

VO Fuel Controller

A small circuit to avoid cross contamination of diesel and VO in dual tank vehicles. This is a schematic for a vegetable oil fuel controller, the function is to enforce that VO goes back to the VO tank and diesel goes back to the diesel tank.

Notable Parts:

1. K1 is the return fuel line relay
2. K2 is the send fuel line relay
3. S1 is the primary switch
4. S2 is the bypass switch
5. S3 is the purge button
6. S4 is the On/Off switch
7. LED1 is the return line indicator
8. LED2 is the send line indicator (download schematic)

Usage

When the vehicle is warm enough so that it can run on vegetable oil turn on S1. The send line will immediately switch to VO and the return line will stay on diesel for a user specified amount of time. To determine correct timing switch your engine to VO and time how long it takes for the diesel to be purge from the system. Now you set the time in the circuit by changing R1 to the correct value based on 1.1 * R1 * C2. To make it easier, I set C2 at 1000µF, so if you want about 45 seconds use the closest value below 45Kohms (45,000 ohms). In the circuit as set up above R1 is 39K ohms giving a timing of just under 45 seconds (1.1 * 39 = 42.9).

When you are a few minutes from home turn off S1 and press S3. By turning off S1 you will switch the send line back to diesel and by pressing S3 you will keep the return line on VO for a user specified amount of time. To set timing use the same value resistor for R4 as you did for R1.

If you stop for a short period of time and the engine is still warm enough to run on VO when you restart it then either switch on S2 for a minute or so or press the purge button. In either case you will bypass the on-delay timer and keep the VO going to the VO tank.

Caveats

Do not expect exact timing from this circuit because capacitors are not perfect and voltage leakage will increase the time to some extent. When I timed the above circuit I found that it varied approximately 2 - 5 seconds (though I used a stopwatch and might have hit the start early or late, so YMMV). The timing can also be affected by length of time of discharge of the capacitors. If you turn off the circuit and turn it on again pretty quickly the timing can be much shorter than expected. I do not consider this an issue because the time it takes for the vehicle to cool down should be well longer than the time it takes for the capacitors to discharge. If this does become a problem use a lower value capacitor and a higher value resistor, for instance you can use a 220uF capacitor and a 180K ohm resistor to get approximately the same amount of time but the timing errors I initially stated may become more noticeable.

Modifications

If you want the circuit to be more automated so you can just switch it on when you turn on the vehicle and it will wait until temperatures are high enough before switching from diesel to VO, just add a thermostat into the circuit directly before S1. Use a NO (normally open) thermostat set to close it's contacts when the desired temperature is reached.

Parts List

1. (1) 7805 voltage regulator
2. (2) 1N4148 diodes
3. (2) SPST switch
4. (1) DPST switch
5. (1) N/O momentary push button switch
6. (2) LM555 timer
7. (2) 1000uF polarized capacitors
8. (1) 0.01uF non-polarized capacitor
9. (3) 0.1uF non-polarized capacitors
10. (2) LEDs
11. (2) 500 ohm resistors
12. (2) 100K ohm resistors
13. (2) resistors chosen for timing value (R1 and R4)
14. (2) solid state relays capable of handling the current your solenoid valves draw

All capacitors should be rated at least 25 volts, anything higher is fine.
Resistors should be rated for 1/4 watt.
7805 is a generic voltage regulator, if it says 78L05AZ or something it's still fine. visit page

Oxygen Sensor Simulator

The oxygen sensor simulator as built on a protoboard. Note the cigarette lighter plug used for power source. The adjustment knob is at the left, and the switch is on the right. The red indicator LED is in the middle. Only use red, because the voltage drop of the LED is part of the circuit!



The schematic diagram for the simulator. Closing the switch engages the simulator. Turning the knob clockwise simulates a lean condition, turns the LED off, and the car should start running rich to compensate. The big "V" is a digital voltmeter(not shown in the pictures). Using a smaller value for C1, perhaps 4.7 uF, will make the circuit oscillate faster and might be more like a real oxygen sensor(a new sensor switches more often than an old one).


The adapter cable. Note the connector recycled from an old oxygen sensor. Hard to see under the black tape: 100K resistor.

The schematic diagram of the adapter cable and oxygen sensor. Note the heater is shown as a resistor, mine measured about 7 ohms.