Thread: Stang-Sense
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Unread 04-12-2002, 23:30
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
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Matt,
When the site comes up the schematic is at http://www2.wildstang.com/2002/inventor/schematics.asp
The archive discussion is at http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sp...=&postid=99762 and you will find a full description there.

The IC we used is from Maxim, MAX 4172, it is called a "high side current monitor" and can be purchased from Digikey. The downside is it's only available as a surface mount package. Digikey sells header boards that accept the surface mount package and converts it into a SIP you can insert in any .100 center circuit board or socket.
The Maxim 4172 is designed for monitoring current in battery charge circuits and is intended for a single power supply. It measures the voltage drop across a very small resistor and converts that and amplifies it to a suitable voltage. We used a 1 foot long piece of #10 wire as the resistor (.001 ohm)which turned out to be a good compromise since it was available for no cost, we were already using it as part of the robot (speed controller wiring per robot handbook)so there was no weight increase and it didn't need to be in the custom circuit box. The whole circuit except for programming interface fit inside the required box and a palm pilot was a valid device for use at the player station to view the dashboard output. We do owe a full explanation so that might be a future white paper. I will contact the other folks and see if we can't put something together.
Let me know if there is anything else we can help with.
Al
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Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
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Storming the Tower since 1996.