An application field of electronics that requires high reliability and fail-safe systems.
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the purpose of the diodes in this circuit?
I'm trying to get my head around the headlight wiring in my car, and I'm curious what purpose the two diodes in this diagram serve. Hoping one of the clever people on here can explain it for me:
Is ...
0
votes
0answers
2k views
How many devices can you plug into your car's cigarette lighter plug? [closed]
I was thinking about getting a dual USB adapter for my car's cigarette lighter plug. This would be used to charge my Ipod and phones. There is available, however, an adapter which splits the outlet ...
1
vote
2answers
201 views
How does Magic Sky Control work in the new mercedes-benz?
I came across this new technology implemented by Mercedes Benz that allowed windows to be tinted just at the pressing of a button. I figured out that some voltage applied at the actual window would ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Arduino in car: capacitor for extra 3 sec of power
I want to install an Arduino Uno in a car, powered by a consumer 12V->5V car voltage regulator plugged into the lighter socket. The socket is switched, i.e, there's no power when the motor's off. When ...
5
votes
1answer
558 views
In terms of protection, how does this automotive power supply circuit look?
Preface
This is a power supply circuit I designed that will be part of a larger device. The very basic intention is that it will take standard +12V automotive power and generate a 5V output and ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
Bluetooth for motorcycles
I am a computer programmer and typically post on Stack Overflow, but the tag I stuck in a recent post recommended I post it here.
Does anyone have experience with Bluetooth devices on engines like ...
3
votes
2answers
591 views
Why do PTC fuses have different voltage ratings depending on package size / hold current?
I've been trying to figure out the PTC fuse I want to use in a little automotive power supply circuit and I'm a little disconcerted by the max Vdc ratings most of these things have.
For instance, ...
5
votes
2answers
248 views
what does “70A moy/arit 90A eff” on a high-current automotive lead-acid battery charger mean?
I have a huge (28 kg mass) automotive high-current battery charger, and its current delivering capabilities are described like that:
70A moy/arit 90A eff
What do ...
2
votes
2answers
173 views
Buck Regulator Running From Car Battery Stability Problems
I'm running this regulator off of a ~12V car battery. I've set it up almost identically to the 'typical application' schematic and layout that the datasheet suggests to generate a 5 V output, ...
4
votes
1answer
600 views
How can I simulate and handle an automotive load dump?
Long story short, I'm designing a little device to monitor a sensor or two in my car. I'm not an EE, but I'm a stickler for knowing things will work right and that I won't have wasted my time and ...
3
votes
3answers
864 views
Splitting wires for newbies
I'm in the process of getting ready to build a car PC running Linux. One of the features I'd really like to incorporate is the ability to record car statistics from the sensors live using ODB2.
Due ...
8
votes
4answers
734 views
Car Tail light - why the extra components?
I'm replacing the LED in a car tail-light. Naturally, it will run off 12V (battery) but the circuit I have uses just an LED and a 0.6w (440ohm) resistor. But the existing circuit includes two, larger ...
10
votes
4answers
281 views
What are these coaxial connectors called?
I know these are coaxial and probably SMB, however, I'd like to know how each particular type of connector is called.
Moreover, I was wondering if these colors mean anything in particular (i.e. if ...
2
votes
2answers
163 views
Industrial electronics layout and design
Why do industrial panels for oil and natural gas compressors or other industrial equipment use terminal blocks for wire management? I have been doing some repairs for companies and was wondering why ...
0
votes
1answer
257 views
Radio controlled car / Arduino control algorithm ideas
I have a brushless radio controlled car that is far, far too powerful, such that at about 60% throttle the front wheels will come off the ground, the car flips and stuff breaks.
To remedy this, I ...
1
vote
1answer
400 views
30 amp 12 v diode
I want to hook up some more back up lights on my truck but also want to use a toggle switch to turn them on/off and will need a diode to stop the feed back when using the switch. The diode would need ...
2
votes
2answers
163 views
What to look in a desktop/small DC Power Supply?
I'm looking for the most adequate power supply that can go between ~0-30v and ~0-5A. These are going to be used for software development for automotive infotainment systems and the operation specs for ...
0
votes
2answers
110 views
Converter or cable to car power supply [closed]
I have a PC intended to be powered by 12VDC in a car.
I wish to operate the PC from the AC mains at home. To do this I will need to connect it using a plug as shown below, and I will need a converter ...
-1
votes
1answer
197 views
Mount giant antenna on car?
I am looking to mount this antenna on a 4 door sedan, without harming the vehicle. I dont have the specifications of the vehicles, but it will need to be sturdy enough to withstand a cross-country ...
0
votes
1answer
155 views
dust sealed connectors for PCB to wire, and wire to wire
I am working on a solar car, and I have been going back and forth on what connectors to use to seal out the dust, and keep the wires together during extreme vibrations. I am looking for wire to board, ...
1
vote
4answers
568 views
Combining RFID badges
I have multiple RFID cards that I use to get into parking garages at the office, client site, home, parents place, etc, etc, etc.....
I'd like to either
A) combine all of these into 1 card or ...
1
vote
2answers
238 views
Automotive Clockspring Alternative
Theoretical question: I was told by an auto mechanic friend that replacing a clockspring in the steering wheel of a car with concentric conductive rings (separate ring for each component powered such ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Why is there risk of overvoltage when jump-starting a vehicle?
Ford Focus C-Max manual describes jump-starting procedure as follows:
shut off everything, connect the jump cables, start the donor vehicle engine and let it run for a while, turn the ignition key on ...
10
votes
4answers
721 views
Protection against automotive power supply hazards
this is my first post here, so please be gentle
I'm looking for a way to protect a small circuit which is to be used inside of a car or truck (12V or 24V power system). The circuit consumes about ...
1
vote
2answers
116 views
Will this setup create much audio interference for me?
I'll be installing a ipod adapter kit in my 2004 honda accord, and on the device that connects to my stereo, it includes stereo outputs - red/white - that i can connect with a stereo to 3.5mm cable to ...
3
votes
1answer
205 views
Circuit diagram and components for Comfortron controller (Chevy, Oldsmobile, …)
I am trying to help repair a Comfortron heating and cooling controller for a late 1960's Chevrolet Impala. The Comfortron is an early climate control system that uses a combined vacuum and electrical ...
3
votes
1answer
231 views
Can I run a microcontroller on the power from a go-kart alternator?
I've been asked to help someone design and build a cool go-kart tachometer, and I thought I'd use a cheap atmel AVR microcontroller to measure the RPM and drive an LED display. The guy I'm working ...
1
vote
1answer
420 views
Do fuse blow on ampere or effect?
I have a faulty car (bad central locking engines) and a fuse is blowing every time I open/lock the it. I'm looking to do a quick fix, and just replace it with an automatic fuse. The car runs on ~12V, ...
1
vote
3answers
3k views
Is it okay to keep a USB charger plugged into the cigar lighter?
I have a USB micro charging adapter for my smartphone for my car. It is basically a cigar lighter plug that turns into a USB micro plug. When I don’t have my phone connected, and as such don’t want ...
2
votes
1answer
296 views
Controlling a NE2 lamp with a 12 V signal
I have some NE2 lamps i want to control with a signal from my car. Signal voltage is about 11 to 14 volts and isn't very clean. I also have 170vdc available to power the NE2s. I plan on using these ...
5
votes
3answers
573 views
Is the 42V car dead?
I was rather curious about why many buck converters and linear regulators were rated up to 42V, or close to it. It's a rather strange voltage to stop at, after all - why not 40V or 45V?
I read that ...
1
vote
1answer
492 views
Car Inductive Charger Module?
I will try to design an inductive charger which will run by using cigar lighter of the car. Does anybody have any suggestions on my project? Taking the power from cigar lighter is easy but how should ...
-1
votes
1answer
129 views
I am thinking of designing an electric car and am wondering about the best way to drive the wheels
I'm thinking of a light cart - barely enough room for one person and the batteries.
What do you think would give me the best battery life?
I am thinking a (brushless?) motor with the input voltage ...
3
votes
3answers
392 views
What device is a car radio dial?
I'm trying to find out what the device is called that is found on a car radio.
The dial that you turn to change stations. I want to track one down to see how it works, but I have no idea what it's ...
2
votes
1answer
120 views
How does a dual-wattage (automotive) bulb work?
I have a motorcycle headlamp bulb on my desk here. I notice the bulb has a rating of "60/55W" and has three connectors instead of the usual two.
Evidently these correspond to the high/low beam ...
5
votes
4answers
477 views
is it possible to install some device which will measure in real time the torque my diesel engine is providing at the moment?
It is easy to make a meter which will show the engine RPM, many cars have one installed. But to know the power in kW that the engine is providing right now, I also need to know the torque, because:
...
1
vote
3answers
309 views
iPod connector car control
I recently bought a car with an iPod dock. When I plug in the iPod disables and I am forced to control it with the car's audio controls. I want to get around this.
Can I simply yank pin 21 from an ...
1
vote
2answers
176 views
Is it a good idea to make a second DC installation in a car with its negative separate from the car body?
Normally in a car's DC installation the negative is on the car's body. Is it just to make it cheaper by not having to provide two wires everywhere, but just one and use the car body as negative, or is ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Extra negative battery cable when charging outside car?
If you go to: http://www.battery-chargers.com/charging_instructions.htm
...Under "Operating Instructions" part "B: Charging battery outside of vehicle", it says you have to attach an extra jumper ...
6
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I protect against an automotive load dump?
A load dump occurs when the load to which a generator is delivering current is abruptly disconnected. In automotive electronics, this applies to disconnecting a battery while it is being charged by ...
2
votes
1answer
348 views
Question About the Ground Wire on Aux Attachment Circuit for my Car
This is a specific question about a specific circuit, but I'm trying to use it as a learning experience as I'm still new to electronics and need to take practical knowledge where I can get it.
I ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
iPod Car Charger w/ Audio Out
I'm pretty new to this and am working it out as I go.
I have been working on a circuit design that would allow me to charge my iPhone/iPod classic 120gb from my Car.
I am going to use power from the ...
10
votes
5answers
634 views
12v LEDs and use on a motorbike
I would like to replace the bulb based tail/brake light and rear indicators/flashers on my bike with one integrated LED unit (flashers in brake light).
These are pretty expensive, and since I'm on a ...
