16/01/15 Power transmission and storage.

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Could a circuit like this work? Using a Switch Mode DCDC step down converter (48-24v) to 12v. Output from the transformer charge the whole bank, or individual sell groups. Effectively using the load as balancing resistors. FETS on the output of the transformer directly power the load or charge week groups. Low speed switching to maintain battery voltage????Charge circuitAlso laser cut ends for the hyperbaric test chamber arrived- I will try to stick them to the cylinder 

this week. And do a few more videos squashing stuff.

Chamber End

Battery testing we have collected and tested 60+ cells. About 2/3 are ok and will store a reasonable amount of power.  So we still need a few more to make the 45 cell pack.

20/12/2014 OpenROV, arduino

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The first pictures from inside the ROV. Some blue light noise from the LED on the camera reflecting of the inside of the dome.

The Microsoft lifecam hd 3000 720p worked without changing the openrov code.

I was a bit challenged when trying to write the openrov image to SD card from linux. The windows method worked great. I was also challenged trying to take a screen shot from linux- needed to apply changes to display settings to get one screen shot.

I am still playing with the networking. The first latency test on the camera range from 350-250 miliseconds- might be the screen capture, computer, network?

latencyTest1

 

Screenshot openrov

Pictured is the Arduino and  project shield- left and the ACS712s for measuring the current to the ESCs- right. Behind is the new camera housing – 70 5 60mm acrylic tube 4 mm orings and a 8mm stainless connector so the housing can be opened without redoing the thread seal.

The OpenROV software looks great and will save loads of time. This project might turn into an OpenROV in a bigger box. Lots of very clever people have been working on it and that shows. Thank you.

I also made a battery discharger for testing old LIPO 18650s from defunct laptop packs. Inspired by:fixitsan on youtube. With arduino instead of PIC microprocessor.

Ben’s video about battery discharger: