Week 18 (FYP II): Submission of FYP Report

This the last post of this blog. 

Tomorrow, 12th June 2015, I will submit the following:

1. The softcopy and hardcopy files related to the "Thermoelectric Devices Charger" to the Supervisor.
2. The softcopy files related to the "Thermoelectric Devices Charger" to the FYP online website.
3. A hard cover of the final year project report to the library.

If all goes well, the FYP subject will be completed. 

Mohamad Shafiq Bin Hairudin

51210111372

Student of UNIKL BMI

BET in Electrical.

Week 15,16,17 : Full Report Writing and Final Exam S1'2015

Objective:

To complete and finalize on full report writing.

Analysis/Discussion:

Due to final exam S1'2015 my progress on report writing has little progress because of my other subject that was included in final exam. I had to study and at the same time finishing my full report writing, video and others as the following format that state in website FYP UniKL BMI.

Conclusion:

I must managed to complete the project full report within the time given

Reference:

1. http://fyp.bmi.unikl.edu.my/index.php

Week 14 : Poster Designing and Project Demo Presentation

Objective: 

Designing poster for project demo presentation and demonstration the project.

 

Analysis/Discussion:

The presentation day of FYP II is on 13th May 2015 at Gemilang Hall. All candidates that participate need to prepare for presentation according the format given. As it has been briefed before the format of poster for presentation must contain the following subject:  

1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Methodology
4. Block Diagram
5. Analysis
6. Conclusion

My poster was design following the format:

 

Figure 19: Poster for project demo presentation

Conclusion:

The Presentation Day has been a success. I have presented my project to both of the assigned accessors and they are satisfied with my project.

Week 13 : Testing and Troubleshooting

Objective:
Testing of functional "Thermoelectric Devices Charger" and troubleshooting when problem occur.

Analysis/Discussion:

As the prototype have been completely constructed, there is need to testing and verify that the system is surely able to supply low powered devices through "Thermoelectric Devices Charger" .For testing purpose, the smartphone and power bank was used. it is successfully work for charging purpose as shown in figure below.

Figure 14: Ice used for the best output of "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

Figure 15: Heat source from the candle to hot side of "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

Figure 16: Measuring output thermoelectric and output "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

 Figure 17: Result of "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

Due to testing and troubleshooting of prototype, all data has been recorded in a graph. In graph shown below is the graph when ice used to steel container (cold side of thermoelectric) and candle (as heat source as hot side).

 Figure 18: Recorded result of "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

Conclusion:

The prototype is successfully function based on objective requirement development of "Thermoelectric Devices Charger"

Week 12 : Designing the Thermoelectric Device Charger

Objective:
To design which compatible to bring anywhere.

Analysis/Discussion:
This design based on the best output can be produced by the thermoelectric. I have selected TEC1-12708 and DC-DC booster converter to develop "Thermoelectric Device Charger".

Figure 13: Design of "Thermoelectric Device Charger"

Conclusion:

The steel container is to fill the water or to fill the ice for cold side of thermoelectric and at hot side of thermoelectric are used heat from candle or campfire.

Week 11 : FYP Briefing 3

Objective:

To attend FYP Briefing 3 at TTL 1.

Analysis/Discussion:

Today, I attend third fyp briefing at TTL hall handle by fyp committee. The FYP committee explained briefly about:

1.  Project Demo Preparation
2.  Final report compilation

Discussion:

I had doing my project's report followed as the format given and preparing for the project demo presentation.

Week 9,10 : Joule Thief Circuit

Objective:
To design, develop and testing of joule thief circuit

Analysis/Discussion:

A "Joule Thief" is a simple voltage booster circuit. It can increase the voltage of power source by changing the constant low voltage signal into a series of rapid pulses at a higher voltage. You most commonly see this kind of circuit used to power LEDs with a "dead" battery. But there are many more potential applications for this kind of circuit. 

In this project, I am going to show you how you can use a Joule Thief to charge batteries with low voltage power sources. Because the Joule Thief is able to boost the voltage of a signal, you are able to charge a battery with a power source whose output voltage is actually lower than the battery itself.
This lets you take advantage of low voltage power sources such as thermoelectric generators, small turbines and individual solar cells. 

 Figure 10: Circuit diagram for joule thief charging circuit

Here are the materials and tools that you will need to complete this project.

• Ferrite toroid core
• Insulated Wire
• NPN Transistor (2N2222, 2N3904, or similar)
• 0.01 microfarad Capacitor (capacitor code:103)
• 330 microfarad Capacitor
• 1 kohm resistor
• 6V Zener Diode
• Diode

 

In order to make a battery charger, I made a few changes to the standard Joule Thief Design. 

First I added a capacitor to the node between the resistor and the first coil. This helps to stabilize the output a little. 

Then I added a zener diode to the base of the transistor. This helps to protect the transistor from being damaged by voltage spikes. The Emitter-Base junction is the weakest point of the transistor. Most small NPN transistors will have a maximum allowable Emitter-Base voltage of 6 volts or less. So I added a zener diode between the base and the collector of the transistor. The diode prevents the Emitter base junction from becoming reversed biased.

At the output of the second coil, I added a diode. This allows the output voltage to pass through but it prevents electricity from the battery draining back through the transistor. 

The capacitors and the zener diode also help protect the transistor from high voltage spikes that can occur if the circuit is turned on without a load. The voltage of the second coil will jump up as much as it needs to in order to be discharged. If there is no load attached, the coil voltage can reach over 60 volts. This could quickly damage the transistor. The zener diode and the capacitors help to limit these voltage spike.

 

Figure 11: Pretesting the circuit

 

Figure 12:  Finalize the circuit

Conclusion:

The input voltage will affect how high the output voltage can get. With the components that I used you will get the best performance from power sources that are between 0.9 volts and 2.0 volts (with a maximum at 1.50 volts). Below 0.9 volts, the circuit will have difficulty boosting the voltage to a high enough to effectively charge a battery. Above 2.0 volts the output voltage will can start to get to high and it will be limited by the zener diode that is protecting the transistor.

Reference:

1. http://www.electronics-lab.com/blog/?tag=joule-thief
2. http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2007/weekend-projects-with-bre-pettis-make-a-joule-thief/
3. https://lockerdome.com/6391315667620929/7385521946113556