|
How to control a latching impulse relay
I presently employ an X-10 Appliance Module and their 113A Mini Timer to control a 50AMP relay's 120VAC coil that switches power to our water heater.? Basically the water heater is only powered twice daily for fifteen minutes each. Of course, we can switch the circuit on from a variety of X-10 control devices should we need more hot water for any reason. I thought to look at latching relays thinking the ability to pulse the relay at each START time and again at each END time might prove move efficient sine we are not powering the relay coil save for the second or so it takes the PULSE to switch its state.? I found a video (o n YouTube) demonstrating how it might be controlled from several independent locations via momentary contact witches - "Impulse Relay (Latching Relay) Basic Function, Wiring and Application." So, assuming I can find a similar relay rated to switch the power to a water heater, I need a way to automate sending it a PULSE four times daily. I have mechanical timers that are able to turn the power on for several minutes - you know, the one's you plug a lamp into to give the impression you're at home when you're not -
but they are imprecise. I would prefer something digital if there is such a thing on the market. Any ideas? -- G.T. |
|
SMD G1 transistor
Need advice and thoughts from the experts. PCB on window control on 2005 Colorado. There are many SMD components. One came off. It has stamped on top G1 which from google searches is an NPN transistor similar to common 2N2222. There are several more. From schematics for the vehicle that transistor powers a relay which raises the RR window. I managed to resolder in place and the window operated fine several times but came off again later. I think the pads are damaged as one is very small (collector lead) so I¡¯m not surprised.?
Two things I¡¯ve considered doing: 1) solder a 2n2222 in its place.? 2) I found a similar control board at the salvage shop. The transistors have a different number though. BR02. What¡¯s the chances? |
|
Lenovo Adapter
Googol it - there's lots of options. You can get one from Amazon, test it out and may decided to return it and go with an AliBaba or Temu Buck Booster. I suspect that is what's in the 'brick' that lies between vehicle output an laptop input. Looks as if the proces are 'all over' the map. ? ? 14% OFF ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C DC Adapter 40AK0065WW. 14% OFF. ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C DC Adapter 40AK0065WW ? ? $59.95 ? ? Amazon.com - Seller & more ? ? ? ? Lenovo Open Source 65W DC Travel Adapter. ? ? Lenovo Open Source 65W DC Travel Adapter ? ? $29.00 ? ? Amazon & more ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C AC Travel Adapter. ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C AC Travel Adapter ? ? $79.99 ? ? Lenovo & more ? ? ? ? Lenovo 65W GaN Power Adapter. ? ? Lenovo 65W GaN Power Adapter ? ? $52.46 ? ? Amazon.com - Seller & more ? ? ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C Wall Adapter. ? ? Lenovo 65W USB-C Wall Adapter ? ? $39.99 ? ? Lenovo & more ? ? 58% OFF ? ? Lenovo 65W AC Adapter. 58% OFF. ? ? Lenovo 65W AC Adapter ? ? $24.89 ? ? Amazon.com - Seller & more ? ? Lenovo Square Port 65W Power Adapter. 55% OFF. ? ? Lenovo Square Port 65W Power Adapter ? ? $2.95$7 ? ? Walmart - Seller & more ? ? 5.0(7) ? ? 65W Type-C USB C AC/DC Power Charger Adapter. ? ? 65W Type-C USB C AC/DC Power Charger Adapter ? ? $38.99 ? ? Amazon ? ? 65W Type-C USB C AC/DC Power Charger Adapter ? ? $38.99 ? ? Amazon -- G.T. |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýAnd, replying to myself again, I should note that tinyurl further obfuscates the real target so it gets more difficult (if you don't speak native URLese) so ... just say no to bitly and tinyurl to save your neighbours. Real URLs are reasonably short and can be readily shared directly
if the tracking info is eliminated early in the process. Donald. On 4/20/25 18:04, dhlocker wrote:
|
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýApologies for replying to myself - you can also (for both bitly and tinyurl) as a '+' after the tinyurl or bitly link to find out where it REALLY goes, then clip the "?....." stuff away from the link you find and see if it works. I don't like giving the internet lords the power to track my browsing habits and my friend connections. Donald. On 4/20/25 18:01, dhlocker wrote:
|
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýFor those who are concerned about tinyurl and bitly security
(like I am) and internet tracking (like I am), the real target of
this link is For those who care, almost every link that includes a
"?blah=yadayadayada&somethingelse=morenonsensechars" you can
VERY SAFELY chop the "?everythingelse" and all following [tracking
data] and avoid getting tracked on the nets. It's easy to check
before you share a link - cut the "?blah=..." and see if the link
still works. It usually will - the extra stuff is just advertisers
tracking where you found their material, where else you visited,
and who your friends are! Donald. On 4/19/25 20:31, Dave via groups.io
wrote:
Maybe experiment with something like this from ebay. Read the description, looks like it may work for your use. Dave On 4/19/2025 4:08 PM, Luke Vogel via groups.io wrote:Hi all, I have a Lenovo laptop that currently uses an AC power supply (135W).? I think the output is aprox 20V. I'd like to be able to run it from the RV batteries (typically 12 to 13V) without the need for an inverter. I think the major issue is the current draw.? 135W at 20V can draw 6.75A so a 12V boost converter would probably draw 11.25+ Amps. Any thoughts on how best to achieve this? Luke |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
Hi TJTomPhillips,
?
No, this wont work as it cannot deliver the current needed.
?
Hi Andy,
a DC-DC boost converter is not an inverter.? I was hoping to avoid the use of the inverter I already have because there is additional overhead on that device that will draw more current from my RV batteries.? I'm aiming for a reasonably efficient solution.
Hi Dave, Yes, this looks like it may do the job.? The description of the product recommends additional cooling if the current draw exceeds 8A.? This may not be a problem though because I believe full current draw would only be necessary if charging an almost flat battery.? As the battery state of charge improves the bulk charge current would reduce. ?
I'll investigate this option further.?
?
Thank-you all for your replies.
?
Luke
?
? |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
On Saturday 19 April 2025 07:42:44 pm Andy via groups.io wrote:
Are we at odds over use of the word "inverter"?? You spoke of a "boost converter", but isn't that an inverter?No. -- Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters" - Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James M Dakin |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
An excellent solution is to buy a Lenovo 65W USB-C DC Travel Adapter. See . With that unit, you would have one that you can trust to safely power your laptop and save the time an expense to experiment with building your own device.
?
You can also find third party adapters at cheaper prices but then you would need to evaluate user reviews for the one you buy. |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
Maybe experiment with something like this from ebay. Read the description, looks like it may work for your use.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Dave On 4/19/2025 4:08 PM, Luke Vogel via groups.io wrote:
Hi all, |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
Perhaps you were thinking of an "inverter" as something to generate a 60 Hz, 120 V sinewave.? That is one kind of inverter.
?
But a boost converter to go from 12 V to 20 V is also an inverter.
?
I may have misunderstood you when you wrote "without the need for an inverter".
?
Andy
? |
|
Re: Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
On Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 07:20 PM, Luke Vogel wrote:
So, the question you need to answer is:? Can you correctly power the circuits inside the laptop that normally need 20 V, from just a 12 - 13 V power source and no inverter? ?
My first answer is "no!"? Not without an inverter to boost it up to 20 V.? But to correctly answer it, you would need to know exactly what inside the laptop gets driven by that DC input voltage, and whether or not it can accommodate such a low voltage.? If it goes directly into an internal DC-DC converter (and nothing else) and if that converter is compliant enough to accept 12 V without a hiccup, then OK.? But do you have access to the schematic and internal parts list for this laptop?
?
Without that, I think the best you can say is that it is highly unlikely to work without an inverter.
I think that is incorrect.? Electronic circuits need certain voltages to work properly, and if 12 V is too little compared to the 20 V that it needs, then either it won't work with only 12 V, or it could let out the "magic smoke", or do something else bad.
?
Yes, that is a reasonable estimate - if you can use a high efficiency inverter. ?
Note that your RV's battery might be as much as 15 V when charging.
?
Also make sure that the laptop actually needs 20 V.? How did you determine that?? If you measured its AC-DC power supply without the laptop connected, it might not be the normal in-circuit voltage, as you probably know.
?
Are we at odds over use of the word "inverter"?? You spoke of a "boost converter", but isn't that an inverter?
?
Andy
? |
|
Boost Converter to run my laptop from my RV batteries.
Hi all,
I have a Lenovo laptop that currently uses an AC power supply (135W).? I think the output is aprox 20V.
?
I'd like to be able to run it from the RV batteries (typically 12 to 13V) without the need for an inverter.
?
I think the major issue is the current draw.? 135W at 20V can draw 6.75A so a 12V boost converter would probably draw 11.25+ Amps.
?
Any thoughts on how best to achieve this?
?
Luke
?
? |
|
Re: controlling mosfet biasing directly in the circuit question
FYI, the minimum recommended Length and Width for your "NMOS" N-channel MOSFETs are:
? L=10000n
? W=10000n
?
Using your dimensions results in warnings from LTspice.
?
It is possible that LTspice quietly changes the Length and Width to these recommended minimum values.? Or it might use the values you asked for,, even if they result in miscalculations in the model formulas.? The model was not designed to be used with such small dimensions as yours.? They were impossible dimensions in 1975.
?
Andy
? |
|
Re: controlling mosfet biasing directly in the circuit question
On Sat, Apr 12, 2025 at 09:53 AM, john23 wrote:
First, you have made some mistakes, which you should fix before progressing further. ?
The P-channel MOSFETs are correctly named so that they use your CMOSP (BSIM3) model.? However, all of your N-channel MOSFETs are still named "NMOS", so all of them are LEVEL=1 MOSFETs using 1975 technology, and are certainly incorrect for 180nm MOSFETs.? You can not expect that simulation to have meaningful results.? They do not use the P-channel .MODEL on your schematic because the model names are incorrect.
?
In order to use the T588F SPICE BSIM models, you need to name your MOSFETs to agree with the .MODELs.
?
It is unlikely (but not impossible) that both N-channel and P-channel MOSFETs would ave the same dimensions.? Often the P-channel MOSFETs need to be wider, in part because of the differences between N and P materials.
?
It is possible (uncertain) that you have the wrong LEVEL number in these two .MODEL statements.? At the top, it states, that the LEVEL should be 8 for SPICE 3F5, and 49 for HSPICE.? LTspice has capability of both LEVEL=8 and LEVEL=49, and it is unclear which one you should use.? LEVEL=8 is described in the Help as:
SPICE 3F5 is from U-Cal Berkeley.? LEVEL=49 is not described in the Help, but it does work in LTspice (probably added for compatibility with HSPICE's LEVEL=49 models).? I am not sure but I think HSPICE chose to make their LEVEL=8 differ from the "standard" (Berkeley) LEVEL=8 model, and so they had to fix that problem by making a brand new LEVEL=49.? There is the possibility that LEVEL=8 and LEVEL=49 are either the same or so close (in LTspice) to be indistinguishable from one another, but that is only an uneducated guess.? HSPICE describes their LEVEL=8 as "advanced LEVEL 2", and LTspice clearly states that it is BSIM3, which is what these models are.? (Unfortunately, there is no central clearinghouse for SPICE MOSFET LEVEL numbers.? That creates problems, like this one, where it is unclear which model should be used.) What are M3,5,1,2 and M4,6?? I cannot find them on your schematic. ?
Are you trying to adjust the dimensions of the MOSFETs?? Or adjust the voltage sources?? Or adjust the resistance value of R1?? Or all three?
?
Can you pull out individual MOSFETs from the circuit, and sweep them (.DC sweeps) to see their characteristics, then use that information to set up your circuit's biasing the way you want it to be?
?
Andy
? |
|
Re: converting mathematical into plot like extraction of W/L params
On Fri, Apr 18, 2025 at 06:50 AM, john23 wrote:
What and where is "step 3"? ?
If you know that "step 3" uses approximations and that there is a better way, why not tell us what is this better way? ?
Andy
? |
|
converting mathematical into plot like extraction of W/L params
Hello , I am trying to follow the example shown in the manual below. In step 3 they find the proper W/L using mathematical expressions. However I know that these formulas are aproximations ,the realistic way is to usr characteristic plots. What caractestics plots you reccomend me to use in order to get the proper W/L? Thanks. |
|
Re: Off topic on PC Popups
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDan,
There are many videos that shows how to install win11 on unsupported hardware :
There are some hard requirements (4 gb ram minimum, must be able to run 64 bit os, etc.). ? So not all old hardware is physically able to run win11, but at the same time not all unsupported hardware is unable to either.
Some of those videos tells you want to check before trying to install win11 on old hardware.
Jong?
On Apr 17, 2025, at 2:55 AM, Dan Kahn via groups.io <dankahn88@...> wrote:
|
|
Re: Off topic on PC Popups
Here is the "Final" update. I ran two DOS commands, sfc /scannow and chkdsk C: /f. Also downloaded, installed and ran PrivaZer. After multiple restarts, the popup was gone. I can not say which of the commands or apps got rid of the problem but it is at least gone now. The existing pc will not pass the hardware requirement for upgrade to WIN11 so he is opting for a new one. The 'end of support' date looming in October prompted him to ask me to help migrate to a new pc. I was concerned that when the user gets his new WIN 11 pc that this popup would be transferred. Now I just have to do this again on another friends WIN10 pc. I'll separate the DOS commands from PrivaZer to determine which cleared the issue. Thanks to all for the suggestions. Regards, wings515 On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 09:42:55 AM EDT, C. Michael Stone via groups.io <enots123@...> wrote: I have seen pop-ups occur as the result of some installedbrowser extensions or add-ons. You can go into the browser and turn off all the extensionsand see if the pop-ups stop. If they stop, you then turn on each extension one at a time untilyou discover the extension that causes the pop-ups to return. You then delete that extension. You stated you used TeamViewer. Does TeamViewer still limit your connection time? I had to change to UltraViewer because TeamViewer waslimiting my connection time to 5 minutes. Mike Stone On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 06:25:36 AM PDT, Dan Kahn via groups.io <dankahn88@...> wrote: Update! I downloaded Malwarebytes and after a 55 minute scan it found 5 PUP's. I figured the problem was solved. Much to my dismay, the user opened his email account and up popped the same warning. So it was not removed. I am going to try downloading PrivaZer and see if that does the trick. These "pop-ups" must be embedded in some registry location since it is not application related. It is on Chrome, Edge and Outlook. As an aside, the pc does not meet the requirements for an upgrade to WIN11 so this user has requested that I do the transfer to a new PC he is buying. My concern is this Norton/McAfee popup will also be transferred to the new pc and I will have that to deal with during the install. Is a puzzlement! wings515 On Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 11:07:45 AM EDT, Donald H Locker via groups.io <dhlocker@...> wrote: Are they actually popups from the browser or do they just look like browser popups? Donald. On 4/13/25 10:35, Dan Kahn via groups.io wrote: Donald, I agree, these pop-ups are not from both McAfee and Norton but some other insidious hacker. Since they are on both Chrome and Edge, I would think they are imbedded in the registry some place. I am wondering if Malwarebytes and PrivaZer might be able to find and eliminate them. I have both of these and are not plagued by these popups. wings515 On Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 02:59:42 PM EDT, Donald H Locker via groups.io <dhlocker@...> wrote: I'd be strongly suspecting that these popups are not, in fact, from McAfee or Norton. McAfee has a fairly good page on spotting and eliminating fake popups: In particular note that if setting the browser to block popups from the claimed site is not working, that is another indication that the popup did not originate with that site. (I can't tell you, off the top of my head how to identify the actual source site for popups; sorry.) Disclaimer - I haven't use Windoze for at least five years, so my experience is quite dated. Donald.
On 4/12/25 11:56, Dan Kahn via groups.io wrote: I just linked in to the user PC with TeamViewer.? There are no URL's listed under the Allowed links to remove as per the YouTube video. I also did a search to see if either Norton or McAfee was downloaded and they were not. ? I had the user download Gaurdio or something like that and even though it stated "Free" it was only free after entering the Credit card info.? I was not going to have the user do this without knowing if this app really worked. ? Additionally the user mentioned he has other friends with this same problem. ? On going investigation. ? Thanks, wings515 |
|
Re: Off topic on PC Popups
The Windows Host file is located at C:Windows\System33\Drivers\etc\hosts. The Host file maps names to IP addresses, so I am not sure how the average computer user could figure out which entry or entries were the source of the popups. Mike Stone
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 12:07:22 PM PDT, jong kung via groups.io <jongkung01@...> wrote:
Dan,
If I remember the location of host file changed few times with the version of windows. ? So you will have to figure it out.
Normally HOST file should be empty of entries. ?When you type ¡°Google.com¡± your DNS server should tell your computer what is the numerical address of ¡°Google.com¡±. ? But some nefarious site might enter that Google goes somewhere else.
Oh another way they use host file is to enter 127.0.0.1 (your own computer) for popular sites like Google.com and have a fake web servers that send your browser those pop-ups. ? Here¡¯s a brief writer-up about host file hijacking?
?= ?= ?= ?= ?= ?=?
While I was typing this, there¡¯s also the possibility of DNS hijacking. ? Your dns entry is normally your own ISP (or one of the famous DNS). ? But sometimes an attacker might enter their own DNS server address so it will tell your browser to
go to their own websites (to make pop up happen).
?= ?= ?= ?= ?= ?=?
DNS hijacking and host file hijacking would probably have the symptoms you¡¯ve described (multiple browsers all showing pop-ups, without any virus being installed or detected).
I hope it works out and I didn¡¯t send you down a bad rabbit¡¯s holes.
Jong?
On Apr 15, 2025, at 3:55 AM, Dan Kahn via groups.io <dankahn88@...> wrote:
|
Gooey
Luke Vogel