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Hands-on learning(Help a newbie)

Former Member

     As mentioned, I'm completely a newbie to this field except for maybe blinking LEDs and stuff. This project I wish to do is not a school assignment. It is just a learning project I wish to do. I have        an idea in mind and would like your help to know whether it is feasible and if yes, how do i go about it.

 

     Project Aim: To create a system that turns off current to your mobile battery(Android {android.os.BatteryManager} ) if it reads a certain battery level. Any variations of this would be fine too. Like start charging if battery level < 20%.

 

    Any help would be much appreciated.Links to resources.Direct help pertaining to project as in components required, prerequisite knowledge required, expected challenges. Anything basically.

 

      I'm new to this community as well. Hope to make some friends along the way. Thank you.
                                                                                                                                                        --Hasmit.
  • 0

    Hello Hasmit,

     

    considering that you have few knowledge in electronics etc, I suggest two ways:

     

    1) If you have a small budget, it is the worth to invest in a Raspberry PI 2 and a small bluetooth USB key (cheap ones works perfectly for about 5$)

     

    2) If you have less budget, I suggest to adopt an Arduino board.

     

    Then take in account the following two ways implies two slight different approaches, so it also depends on what is your preferred orientation (i.e. from where you prefer to start studying). Common to any choice I suppose you have considered that a part of Android software should be developed.

     

    In the case 1) you can be more software-like, involving hardware and Linux on a very good, fast and reliable platform. You can work with Python on the Raspberry PI and few linux settings we can help without difficulties.

     

    In the case 2) you should consider more hardware and a reduced software environment as with the Arduino or - better - chipkit micro controllers you have not a real operating system. This implies limitations and some more effort to reach the same results.

     

    Anyway considering all the aspect of the project, I think at the end of te work your budget is almost the same, and supposing that you already have the Android device, take in account to invest at least 60$. The more is your budget, better and sophisticated your controller can be. But the mentioned expenses is the very minimal cost you should provide.

     

    Enrico

  • 0

    Most smart phones already stop charging when full, turning the mains off will offer very little savings [maybe even less than the extra power consumption of the arduino watcher] and you will probably be playing with mains electricity. If it is a cool first learning project you want to work on I would advice something a bit more fun and low voltage that also lets you mess around with the code to see changes. For example something with feedback loops that you can change the control strategy and see the real world effect.

  • 0 in reply to m.ratcliffe

    Agree, besides, if the battery was disconnected by an external circuit, then the mobile phone battery would be undergoing unnecessary charge/discharge cycles which is pretty bad especially for mobile phones with a non-removable battery (yuk).

    Instead, better to leave the technicalities to the on-board power management circuit which is designed to switch off and prevent battery over-charge and it continues to use USB connected power when the battery has charged, to run the phone.

  • 0

    Shabas & Michael,

     

    I got him a consideration about the methodology. Then the problem of the battery is meaningless until Hasmit does not explain in detail what he really intend. I think that the point remain the same: Andorid + SBC or MC + some hardware stuff to make something in the real world. And the easiest way is through WiFi network or Bluetooth.

     

    Enrico

  • 0 in reply to m.ratcliffe

      Thank you for the reply Michael. Yes, I am aware that almost all modern day Li-ion batteries possess an internal mechanism to achieve what i want to do. However I thought it would be fun to implement it. Nonetheless, Would you be kind enough to suggest something fun but with a learning curve to it? Preferably something to do with Android/Smartphones in general since I could not find a lot of projects that have already been done on the same.

  • 0 in reply to shabaz


    Thank you Shabaz for the suggestion.

    Could you please take time out to suggest alternative projects that I may be able to implement such that they also have a real world purpose?

                                                                                                        Thank you in advance.

  • 0 in reply to balearicdynamics

    Hey Enrico, Thank you for your help. After feedback from all of you I think that it would be safe to say that my idea isnt something that I should bother with. So, do you have something in mind with regards to projects that I may do and yes, with a small budget. image

  • 0 in reply to balearicdynamics

    I already have my hands on a Uno and have 15-20$ to spare. I'm just a student mind you.

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Sure, as you already have a UNO you should start with UNO image

     

    What are the things you like to do? No idea if led instead of movement or sensors etc. So I think that you should explore here in the Arduino section ideas and projects, to focus better what maybe your first project then we can help you with some good advice.

     

    Enrico