smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

The relay locked closed. So now when I am driving at night I have to put my hat on the dashboard cause it is so bright, it will not go into dot mode.

[budm]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

OK, it is the relay failure not the IC failure, thanks. By the way, can we see the pictures of this finished project? I thought you had given up since we were having so much problem during the prototype wiring, and did you have to change any component values on my circuit?

[stj]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

you dont need to go digging into the headlight wiring,
you can use the GI (general ilumination) wire on the dashboard lights.
you can also get this from the light on the cigarette lighter socket.

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

I am having problems with this light design.

I tried putting 10k ohm resistor from vcc to pin 9. It will not activate the circuit. if I reduce the resistor all the way down to 1k ohm them it activates the circuit. when I try to energize the transistor the power supply gets hot and it starts smoking.

Any ideas?

[budm]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

Can you draw up to show how you have it hooked up, pictures also?

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

the far left pin is connected to ground on the other side of the board.

transistor used is a 2N 3904

the other side of the 1000 ohm resistor is attached to the same 10v VCC that all of the LEDS are attached to.

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

Guys don't bust your brain, I wired in a relay again. This time I ran it to an external female socket so I can just pop an automotive bosch relay if it ever fails again. I would be shocked if it fails again this one is a monster rated at 40A

[budm]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

The Collector connection does not look right at all. Can we see the whole board? I see on the IC has pin 9 connected the VCC pin3, the second IC i do not see how you get the voltage to VCC pin3 of the second IC. Do you have the diagram of this circuit with two ICs?
Where is it on this board layout that you provided has that new transistor and resistor connected to?
I think I see hwy it smoked.
BTW, the second IC on the bottom corner orientation of pin 1 looks wrong to me.

[budm]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

The regulator feedback network resistors for this LM317 are also not right.
Looks to be lots of error on the board layout.

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

Please bear with me, this was my first attempt at a circuit board. there was a lot of solder bridges and bits of wire soldered in place to make things work properly. I do have 10.00VDC for my VCC and both gauges are/were working. I will get some photos up soon of the actual board but right now it looks like a train wreck of wire and copper and solder.

I think the external relay was the way to go, I only need to take 2 light gauge wires out of the board. the ground and the 12v headlight signal can come from some other place. it seems like an acceptable repair and it is much more serviceable., I just wanted to be able to figure out how to use a transistor, it didn't happen this time.

when I layed out the IC (the bottom one) I didn't realize I had it completely upside down. so that has all been changed, I will see if I can find the pdf layout I actually made and post it.

I will get some photos up as soon as I can

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

If you need a clearer picture of a more specific area let me know or if you need explanation or voltage measurements.

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

Here is a more accurate update.

I am not saying this is 100% but it is close, I am speeding through trying to get you guys info.

[scampo77]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

Here is a photo of the dash back together. It looks pretty good!!

[budm]

Re: smoothing out voltage spikes and dips?

The collector of the transistor should be connected to pin 9, I cannot tell from the picture as to what it is connected to. I looks like it is connected to the same pad with orange wire connected to also.