Signals when an on-circuit battery is exhausted 5V to 12V operating voltage

A Battery-status Indicator circuit can be useful, mainly to monitor portable Test-gear instruments and similar devices. LED D1 flashes to attire the users attention, signaling that the circuit is running, so it will not be left on by mistake. The circuit generates about two LED flashes per second, but the mean current drawing will be about 200µA. Transistors Q1 and Q2 are wired as an uncommon complementary astable multivibrator: both are off 99% of the time, saturating only when the LED illuminates, thus contributing to keep very low current consumption. 

Circuit diagram :

Flashing-LED Battery-status Indicator Circuit Diagram

The circuit will work with battery supply voltages in the 5 - 12V range and the LED flashing can be stopped at the desired battery voltage (comprised in the 4.8 - 9V value) by adjusting Trimmer R4. This range can be modified by changing R3 and/or R4 value slightly.

When the battery voltage approaches the exhausting value, the LED flashing frequency will fall suddenly to alert the user. Obviously, when the battery voltage has fallen below this value, the LED will remain permanently off. To keep stable the exhausting voltage value, diode D1 was added to compensate Q1 Base-Emitter junction changes in temperature. The use of a Schottky-barrier device (e.g. BAT46, 1N5819 and the like) for D1 is mandatory: the circuit will not work if a common silicon diode like the 1N4148 is used in its place.

Parts :

R1,R7__________220R  1/4W Resistors
R2_____________120K  1/4W Resistor
R3_______________5K6 1/4W Resistor
R4_______________5K  1/2W Trimmer Cermet or Carbon
R5______________33K  1/4W Resistor
R6_____________680K  1/4W Resistor
R8_____________100K  1/4W Resistor
R9_____________180R  1/4W Resistor
C1,C2____________4µ7  25V Electrolytic Capacitors
D1____________BAT46  100V 150mA Schottky-barrier Diode
D2______________LED  Red 5mm.
Q1____________BC547   45V 100mA NPN Transistor
Q2____________BC557   45V 100mA PNP Transistor
B1_______________5V to 12V Battery supply
Notes :

• Mean current drawing of the circuit can be reduced further on by raising R1, R7 and R9 values. 

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NE555 Flashing LEDs

This Flashing LEDs uses a clean Astable multivibrator built around the general timer IC NE555. Resistors R1,R2 and capacitor C1 determines the output frequency. what time the output becomes excessive, Red LEDs light basic. When the capacitor C3 charges fully, Yellow LEDs light. The delay occasion relating this depends on the denomination of C3. while the output of Astable turns low leafy LEDs light using the current stored here the capacitor. Since this cycle is very fast, several levels of Flashing can come to pass obtained. If the light from Green LEDs is low, reduce the numeral to lone.

NE555 Flashing LEDs Schematic

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220 Volts Flashing Lamps

Especially designed for Christmas tree lamps Replaces old thermally-activated switches This circuit is intended as a reliable replacement to thermally-activated switches used for Christmas tree lamp-flashing. The device formed by Q1, Q2 and related resistors triggers the SCR. Timing is provided by R1,R2 & C1. To change flashing frequency dont modify R1 and R2 values: set C1 value from 100 to 2200µF instead. Circuit diagram : 220 Volts Flashing Lamps Circuit Diagram Best performances are obtained with C1=470 or 1000µF and R4=12K or 10K. Due to low consumption of normal 10 or 20 lamp series-loops intended for Christmas trees (60mA @ 220V typical for a 20 lamp series-loop), very small and cheap SCR devices can be used, e.g. C106D1 (400V 3.2A) or TICP106D (400V 2A), this last and the suggested P0102D devices having TO92 case.

Parts List:

R1 100K 1/4W Resistor
R2,R5 1K 1/4W Resistors
R3,R6 470R 1/4W Resistors
R4 12K 1/4W Resistor
C1 1000µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1-D4 1N4007 1000V 1A Diodes
D5 P0102D 400V 800mA SCR
Q1 BC327 45V 800mA PNP Transistor
Q2 BC337 45V 800mA NPN Transistor
PL1 Male Mains plug
SK1 Female Mains socket

Note: For proper operation its absolutely necessary to employ high Gate-sensitive SCRs. If you are unable to find these devices you can use Triacs instead. In this case the circuit operates also with relatively powerful devices. A recommended Triac type is the ubiquitous TIC206M (600V 4A) but many others can work.Note that in spite of the Triac, diode bridge D1-D4 is in any case necessary.

This circuit was awarded with publication in ELECTRONICS WORLD "Circuit Ideas", June 2000 issue, page 458

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