Nuts and Volts - September 2010

BATTERY KITS

Battery Zapper Mk III KC-5479 $46.50 plus postage & packing The popular battery zapper kit has gone through a couple of upgrades and this is the latest easier-to-build version. Like the original project from 2005, it attacks a common cause of failure in lead acid batteries: sulfation, which can send a battery to an early grave. The circuit produces short bursts of high levels of energy to reverse the sulfation effect. The battery condition checker is no longer included and the circuit has been updated and revamped to provide more reliable, long-term operation. It still includes test points for a DMM and binding posts for a battery charger.

• Not recommended for use with gel batteries • PCB with solder mask and overlay • Components • Screen printed machined case • 6, 12 & 24VDC SLA Battery Health Checker Kit KC-5482 $46.50 plus postage & packing The first versions of the battery zapper included a checker circuit. The Mk III battery zapper (KC-5479) has a separate checker circuit - and this is it. It checks the health of SLA batteries prior to charging or zapping with a simple LED condition indication of fair, poor, good etc.

• Overlay PCB and electronic components • Case with machined and silk-screened front panel • PCB: 185 x 101mm Fast Ni-MH Battery Charger Kit KC-5453 $25.00 plus postage & packing Capable of handling up to 15 of the same type of Ni-MH or Ni-Cd cells. Build it to suit any size cells or cell capacity and set your own fast or trickle charge rate. It also has overcharge protection including temperature sensing. Kit includes solder mask & overlay PCB, programmed micro and all specified electronic components. Case, heatsink and battery holder not included. PCB: 98 x 53mm

KC-5434 $10.00 plus postage & packing

An extremely useful and versatile kit that enables you to use a tiny trigger current - as low as 400μA at 12V to switch up to 30A at 50VDC. It has an isolated input, and is suitable for a variety of triggering options. The kit includes PCB with overlay and all electronic components with clear English instructions.

DC RELAY SWITCH KIT

KC-5377 $19.25 plus postage & packing
This is a universal module which
can be adapted to suit a range of
different applications. It will trip
a relay when a preset voltage is
reached. It can be configured to
trip with a rising or falling voltage,
so it is suitable for a wide variety of voltage outputting
devices eg., throttle position sensor, air flow sensor, EGO
sensor. It also features adjustable hysteresis (the difference
between trigger on/off voltage), making it extremely
versatile. You could use it to trigger an extra fuel pump
under high boost, anti-lag wastegate shutoff, & much
more. Kit supplied with PCB, & all electronic components.
PCB Dimensions: 105 x 60mm
UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE SWITCH

Emergency 12V Lighting Controller KC-5456 $40.75 plus postage & packing Automatically supplies power for 12V emergency lighting during a blackout. The system has its own 7.5Ah SLA battery which is maintained via an external smart charger. Includes manual override and over-discharge protection for the battery. Kit supplied with all electronic components, screen printed PCB, front panel and case. Charger and SLA battery available separately.

Motor and Lamp Controller

AA-0347 $27.50 plus postage & packing

Continuously controls the speed of 12VAC motors and can also be used as a dimmer for incandescent lamps. With the addition of a rectifier, it can also be used to control DC motors and if you add a 100k or

200k pot, you can control 24 or

48V devices. Suitable for iron core transformers only.

• Mode of operation: Phase control • Control range: approx. 0 - 90

• Loading capacity: for resistive or inductive loads up to 10A max • Dimensions: approx. 87(L) x 60(W) x 32(H)mm POWER KITS

NEW SOLAR KITS!

KC-5490 $46.50 plus postage & packing This kit intercepts and alters the signal from engine sensors that supply a voltage signal to the engine control unit (ECU). Restore correct air/fuel ratios after engine modifications, prevent engine boost cuts or alter sensor signals for improved drivability. Requires hand controller for programming, RS-232 cable and a suitable input signal. Kit includes PCB, case & electronic components.

• 12VDC
VOLTAGE MODIFIER KIT

3-In-1 Solar Robot Kit
KJ-8928 $14.50 plus postage & packing
A 3-in-1 solar robot kit that
easily transforms into
three intergalactic robotic
designs. See how solar
power drives the motor
forcing three robots to make
different movements. On a
cloudy day, have some indoor
fun and use a 50W halogen light. Projects include
a tank, robot and a scorpion.

Solar Powered Planetarium

KJ-8927 $14.50 plus postage & packing

Young astronomers will love this mini solar kit. With real solar energy, the planets orbit around the solar paneled sun. Easy to build and loads of fun, take it outside and under direct sunlight then watch the Solar system come to life. May also be operated by a 50W halogen bulb.

Kit Includes: • 6 colors of opaque acrylic paints and paint brush • Planets including Earth, Mars and Jupiter • Solar panel with motor • Detailed instruction manual Suitable for ages 10+

3V to 9V DC to DC
Converter Kit
KC-5391 $9.50 plus postage & packing
This great little converter allows you to use regular Ni-Cd
or Ni-MH 1.2V cells, or Alkaline 1.5V cells for 9V
applications. Using low cost, high capacity rechargeable
cells, the kit will pay for itself in no-time! You can use any
1.2-1.5V cells you desire. Kit supplied with
PCB, and all electronic components.
PCB: 59 x 29mm

AA-0364 $20.50 plus postage & packing A versatile and useful timer module that can be set for periods of 2 seconds to 10 minutes. If you add a 500k pot you can extend the time period to 30 minutes. The start and stop functions are controlled by simple switch inputs and the relay output can control a device of up to 3A.

• Operating voltage: 12V • Current consumption: 20mA • Time adjustment: 30 sec to 10 min • Dimensions: 60(L) x 45(W) x 20(H)mm 12V 3A TIMER MODULE