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Re: [ATM] device controllers



I'm not sure that an 8 pin PIC wouldn't be as cheap as a 555 and a 
capacitor; it really depends if you are more comfortable messing with 
hardware or software.

I did a dew heater controller with a 555 and a TIP530 MOSFET and IIRC I 
just connected the 555 output to the FET gate. I've also done a dome 
controller where a TIP530 is driven by an RS232 output line from a PC 
and switches a 12V windscreen wiper motor. These MOSFETs seem pretty 
bullet proof, they switch with about 5V and almost no current and have a 
built in diode that seems to cope with inductive loads pretty well.

Chris

Mike Lockwood wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Dominic-Luc Webb wrote:
>> Not sure about easily. I have had some major adventures getting
>> 555 timers to drive transistors. On the other hand, I have an
>> excellent PMT power supply that can give pulses to a HV relay
>> that works great. There are plenty of cheap/simple 2 transistor
>> circuits out there that can do this as well.
> 
> Hmmmm.... a 555 should produce an output voltage close to the supply 
> voltage when it's output is "on", and that should easily drive a 
> MOSFET into full-on mode.  (MOSFETS are voltage-controlled, 
> transistors are current-controlled.)  If you want to avoid that, have 
> the 555 drive a high-current buffer into saturation and the buffer 
> should be able to drive the relay with no problem.  Surely there are 
> lots of circuits online.
> 
> You should be able to set up the first 555 circuit to pulse every 
> minute or so.  Then that pulse should also be able to activate another 
> 555 circuit that would turn on the grit dispenser for a chosen number 
> of seconds, after which it turns off.  The intervals might be a bit 
> temperature dependent, but I doubt it would be a problem.
> 
> Just Google "555 timer circuit" and start looking through the 437,000 
> hits.
> 
> 	Mike L.
> 
> 
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> ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/
> 
> 

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