User:1sfoerster/enes100/fall2013/p1Power

Problem Statement (Finish description)

 * Produced a guide for batteries that we use in engineering lab based on the characteristics of the type of the battery: NiCd, NiMH, Li-Ion/Li-polymer, Lead Acid & Alkaline Batteries.


 * Outlined the structure of a refrigerator to be used to store batteries: thermostat, wiring, compressor, overload and starter relay.


 * Did not finish theory of operation of the power supply tester and went over functions of each part.

Tasking
The Power Supply team was split into three sections

1. Working on Power supply tester

2. Making a guide on Battery Charging and proper storage method.

3. Fixing the thermostat in the mini Refrigerator

The theory of operation of the power supply tester is needed so that it can be put into use for future projects in the lab. Batteries are frequently used throughout the semester and student need to know the proper use, storage and recycle practices for the different batteries. The thermostat on the refrigerator needed to be adjusted and fixed so that it can provide cool environment to store the necessary batteries.

The power supply tester is designed to act as a 12 volt variable load displaying the current being drawn. It has not been finished or tested.

Power Supply Teseter
General Operation of the Power Supply Tester
 * Schematic of Power Supply Tester

Battery Management

 * How to Charge Batteries


 * Batteries Present In the Lab

Mini Refrigerator
The first problem that we went across for this project was the wiring issue on the thermostat. Picture on the bottom shows the position of wires that broke the fuse in the outlet.

Next Steps
The refrigerator's overload relay is not functioning properly as a result the refrigerator is not getting cold. Addressing this problem would be the next step for this section. The batteries in the lab all have different connecting ports to the charger. The next step would be to devise a universal port for connecting the batteries to the charger. The Next step for the power supply tester would be to start using it on different appliances to test there power out put and using as a voltmeter that can used on variety of different equipment that has different voltage by changing the dial of power supply tester.