Problem with LED voltmeter

Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
I am trying to insert a led voltmeter in my circuit to obtain output voltage, but cant get it to work.:(

This is the Voltmeter
http://www.lascarelectronics.com/pdf-usb-datalogging/data-logger0052334001208961058.pdf

I should have a positive output of few volts (tested on oscilloscope), and measured relative to ground.

I cant figure out which pins needs to be grounded, left floating etc. (expect the obvious power supply pins), especially the relative voltage pins.

Any help will be really appreciated.
 

bertus

Joined Apr 5, 2008
22,270
Hello,

All information can be found in the datasheet.
Pin 2 is a Positive powersupply.
Pin 1 is a negativ powersupply.
Pin 4 is ground / zero reference for voltmeter.
Pin 3 is the input for the voltmeter.
Pin 5 and Pin 6 need to be connected for the reference voltage.

Input is standard 200 mV full scale, this can be scaled up using resistor divider according to the tabel given in the datasheet.

Greetings,
Bertus
 

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Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
Thanks for your reply bertus.
But i dont know what the reference voltage is meant to be. Is it the same as supply:confused:
Also i am planning to connect pin 11 to pin 12. So should i leave pins 9 and 10 floating, or ground them?
 

bertus

Joined Apr 5, 2008
22,270
Hello,

You can connect 11 to 12 and leave 9 and 10 open, they have internal resistors.
The reference can be set with the potmeter at the rear of the module.

Between pin 1 and 4 should be at least 1.6 Volt, as said in the datasheet.
So pin 1 is connected to a negative powersupply.

Greetings,
Bertus
 

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Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
Thanks for your reply mate.

The problem is that i dont have a negative power supply. All i have is a 12V battery with one terminal connected to supply rail, and the other one to ground. And then i have a positive voltage that i need to measure with respect to ground. So what do you suggest mate?
 

bertus

Joined Apr 5, 2008
22,270
Hello,

Is the voltage you try to measure connected to -ve ( 0 Volt )?
The meter expects the lower input at (at least) 1.6 Volt.

Greetings,
Bertus
 

Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
Hello,

Is the voltage you try to measure connected to -ve ( 0 Volt )?
The meter expects the lower input at (at least) 1.6 Volt.

Greetings,
Bertus
Hi Bertus,
Yes the voltage is connected to O V. I noticed that in your previous post as well. You reckon there is a way round all this. I will post pics of my circuit once i get home.
 

Audioguru

Joined Dec 20, 2007
11,248
The meter is designed to be powered from a 9V alkaline battery that has no connections to ground or to the input. A separate 9V power supply can be used instead of the battery.

The meter measures DC voltage but your circuit has an AC output voltage. You will need to make a precision rectifier circuit to convert low level AC to DC.

The voltmeter uses a low current LCD display, not a high current LED display. It will be invisible at night.
 

Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
The meter is designed to be powered from a 9V alkaline battery that has no connections to ground or to the input. A separate 9V power supply can be used instead of the battery.

The meter measures DC voltage but your circuit has an AC output voltage. You will need to make a precision rectifier circuit to convert low level AC to DC.

The voltmeter uses a low current LCD display, not a high current LED display. It will be invisible at night.
Thanks mate, it makes sense.
Any particular circuit you would recommend for rectifier.

Visibility is not a problem, will only need it in day.
 

Thread Starter

kvsingh21

Joined Apr 15, 2008
63
I have connected a full wave rectifier to convert AC to DC, which is then the input for LCD voltmeter. I am using a 9V alkaline battery as power supply. But its still not functioning properly.

This is the way i connected pins. PLease tell me if they are right , wrong etc.

1) Negative terminal of 9V alkaline battery
2) Positive terminal of battery
3) Positive DC output from rectifier
4) Negative output from rectifier
5, 6) Connected to each other.
7,8,9,10) Unconnected.
11,12) connected to each other
 

bertus

Joined Apr 5, 2008
22,270
Hello,

If you are using a 9V battery to power the meter, you can use the "floating" diagram from the datasheet.

1) Negative terminal of 9V alkaline battery
2) Positive terminal of battery
3) Positive DC output from rectifier
4, 5, 6) Connected to each other. Negative output from rectifier
7,8,9,10) Unconnected.
11,12) connected to each other

Greetings,
Bertus
 

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