Evening Dan,
>> At 12:47 PM 9/20/2006, you wrote:
Thanks for the comments.
I recently made a "fancy" homemade CS maker with adjustable current
regulation and adjustable auto-shutoff.
I have thought about the "Adjustable Shutoff" feature.
I suppose all technicians have thought about building a sophisticated
system. I know I have thought about it but never got the start impulse.
I would favor using my control and data logging system. It has most
of the components needed including analog inputs, digital inputs, and
event counters as well as pH meters and EC meters. Most of these are
in need of calibration which is not so hard when we have full
control of the software.
I have a configuration file that has individual fields for correction
factors. I even provided for multiply scale factors and divide scale factors.
Next I added a line or two of code that checks each. If both are
zero, the program will not run. If no change is needed on the data,
a simple ONE input into the field will leave it unchanged and let the
program run.
Dividing by zero is a hard task for most processors.
Auto-shutoff is really great, especially when making CS more often or in
large quantities which takes more time.
This would be very easy on a computer controlled system.
You could change most any data value within a few seconds due to the
configuration file. One could have multiple configuration files
stored in another directory and copy the one needed into the program directory.
I wrote a special edit program for the configuration file. Typically
I can edit this while the program is running and copy it into the
program directory and the program never has to be stopped to change
any configuration.
One really appreciates the
convenience of being able to leave the setup alone to finish on it's
own. Having the ability to vary current and shut-off level allows one
to do so much more with various electrode and cell geometry.
I understand. That part would be fun with the computer
controlled stuff, yet very simple.
Usually what I do when I want a new application for my program is to
simply make a new copy, then start to take a few things out and add a
few lines here and there. This is a 10,000 line C program I worked
on over a 5 year period. The data logging is icing on the cake. It
will even write a C binary file and a DBF file, both at the same time.
( Almost the same time )
Each data channel logged can have an individual file name or be
logged into the default common data file.
I still had and will have to do as you suggest, record voltage and current
levels vs. time every time I change any of the variables of the CS
maker. Once you change something, you have to know enough about the
process to figure out, once again, where you are operating and what
you are producing.
Yes, this is the final proof. Being a technician for near 50
years, I have always used my current meters more than any technician
I have known.
Final proof of correct operation of any circuit is the current
draw. No current, no work. I usually have a very good DC current
meter and a 300
AMP AC current meter with me at all times. Also have a 50 AMP meter
shunt for the larger DC stuff that the Fluke meter will not handle.
For a number of years I serviced large Inverter system and was the
factory service rep for Computer Power, Emergilite, Chloride
Systems, and Hunt Electronics. Darn, what a variety of
equipment. No wonder my mind is worn out.
I also put an LED in the output of my generator as an indicator that it
is brewing. It only has brightness change at the very start of the run
as it is current limited and right now I am running at about 20 ma.
True, but nothing beats a visual indicator that everything is
working lovely. A glance is all it takes.
I think an LED would have been useful for
that cell.
Yes, the eye is an amazing measuring tool.
Don't forget (less technical people), you have to get the LED connected
in the correct polarity (correct way around). One way will allow
current to flow but the reverse way will block it. It won't blow up
your circuit but it will prevent it from operating if it is in the wrong
way.
True, I know I left out several things. I advise people, ........
If you have no technical knowledge, "Make friends with someone who
does". Heck there is a technician of sorts on every corner these days.
I think it takes 100 technicians to keep 100 non technical people working.
Do you do the auto cutoff on current flow only?
I firmly believe that the non technical can master the use of the diode.
If they can't, they can seek help from the corner technician.
I have a friend who winds starters and generators for living. He did
not understand how a simple diode works. I gave him about a 15
minute short course and the next week he was finding bad diodes in equipment.
Often a little help goes a long ways.
Wayne
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