The Sample C8051 Electronic Dummy Load is practical toil for you when you debugging your power circuit.
But it just a customize sample tool for the students’ course, so the design is not perfect and just follow the requirement of client. Now we has sold out more than 200 units of this sample devices and get many feedbacks, which includes both complain and acclaim.
Now we are going to upgrade this device to make it more “geiliable”. So below is some inchoate ideas of it:
- Change the C8051F330 chip to ATMega328P (could be ATMega168 or ATMega8 to reach lower cost), this change will provide user a easy way to update the firmware, even DIY their own UI.
- Wider input range: the C8051 dummy now just accept the input voltage from 0V – 10V, and we will try to broaden it to 0-60V.
- Why just a dummy load? Yes, it can be a sample voltmeter and current meter by a little bit circuit change. So, new dummy load will include current meter and voltmeter function.
- How about make it not just a input device but also a output one? Of course, we will leave a channel for it to output signal, so the new dummy load can be used as a sample signal generator.
- What you may need if you use it as a instrument on your table? en, there is a LCD display there, so just a RTC on board can make it a clock or calendar.
- OK, power! what’s more ? Can we use it to charge battery ? Yes, we can, why not make it also be a Intelligent Charger. On the contrary, you can use the battery to power the dummy load without external power supply.
- Wireless communications? Not just display the result on LCD screen but also transport it out by Bluetooth/2.4G moudle/Xbee ?
- Upgrade the 5110 LCD to 2.4” TFT LCD ? Cancel the button but using touch ?
If it can reach all of these ideas, it should be very “geibliable”(powerful), and the name “ATMega328 Electronic Dummy Load” will not cool enough for this device, how about call it “OverLoad” – the idea comes from StarCraft : )
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