Battery and starter circuit monitoring system
First Claim
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1. A battery and starter circuit monitoring system, comprising:
- a test circuit having a first input terminal for connection to a battery to be tested;
the circuit having an indicator for providing a visual indication when an available reserved power capacity of the battery is below a first minimum value under full load conditions;
a first switching device for controlling connection of the indicator to the input terminal, the switching device having a non-conductive state in which the indicator is off and a conductive state in which the indicator is on;
control means for controlling switching of the switching device between the non-conductive and conductive state, the control means including a detector for detecting a first voltage at the input terminal and having an output dependent on said first voltage and switching means responsive to the detector output for switching the switching device from its non-conductive to its conductive state if the detected battery reserved power capacity falls below said selected minimum value;
said circuit having a second input terminal for connection to an input terminal of a component connected to said battery to detect a second voltage reaching the component, a second indicator for providing a visual indication when the second voltage reaching the component falls below a second minimum value, a second switching device for controlling connection of said second indicator to said second input terminal, and additional control means for controlling switching on and off of said second switching device, said additional control means comprising means for detecting if the second voltage at said second input terminal falls below said second minimum value and switching on said second switching device to actuate said second indicator if a voltage below said second minimum value is detected.
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Abstract
A battery monitoring system has an input for connection to a battery to be tested, and an indicator for providing a visual indication of when the battery power falls below a selected minimum value. A switching device controls connection of the battery to the indicator, and is controlled to switch from its off state to its on state in the event that the battery voltage falls below the selected minimum value. The system may comprise a separate, portable unit to be connected to a battery to be tested, or may be built into an electrical system powered by a battery to continuously monitor battery status.
215 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A battery and starter circuit monitoring system, comprising:
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a test circuit having a first input terminal for connection to a battery to be tested; the circuit having an indicator for providing a visual indication when an available reserved power capacity of the battery is below a first minimum value under full load conditions; a first switching device for controlling connection of the indicator to the input terminal, the switching device having a non-conductive state in which the indicator is off and a conductive state in which the indicator is on; control means for controlling switching of the switching device between the non-conductive and conductive state, the control means including a detector for detecting a first voltage at the input terminal and having an output dependent on said first voltage and switching means responsive to the detector output for switching the switching device from its non-conductive to its conductive state if the detected battery reserved power capacity falls below said selected minimum value; said circuit having a second input terminal for connection to an input terminal of a component connected to said battery to detect a second voltage reaching the component, a second indicator for providing a visual indication when the second voltage reaching the component falls below a second minimum value, a second switching device for controlling connection of said second indicator to said second input terminal, and additional control means for controlling switching on and off of said second switching device, said additional control means comprising means for detecting if the second voltage at said second input terminal falls below said second minimum value and switching on said second switching device to actuate said second indicator if a voltage below said second minimum value is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
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a battery having a voltage dependent on a reserved battery power capacity; a starter motor having an input; starter circuitry connecting said battery to said starter motor input; a battery monitoring circuit having a first input connected to said battery and a second input connected to said starter motor to detect input voltage at said starter motor; a first indicator light linked to said monitoring circuit and mounted on a vehicle indicator panel; the battery monitoring circuit including switching means for switching said first indicator light on when said battery reserved power capacity is below a predetermined minimum value; a second, normal operation light for indicating when said battery is at a normal power level; said circuit including switching means for switching said second light on when said battery voltage is above a selected value; a third indicator light connected to said monitoring circuit for providing an indication if said starter motor input voltage falls below a second predetermined minimum value, and switching means for switching said third indicator light on if said starter motor input voltage is below said second predetermined minimum value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification