Circuit Planning

WEEK 5                                                                       26 FEBRUARY 2012

TITLE : Circuit Planning

OBJECTIVES : Planning for the circuit configuration
 

CONTENTS/ PROCEDURES: 

 Another week of FYP research. As before, I faced a problem regarding the supply, and it has been finalized to used solar panel. Thankfully that problem solved. As time being too limit nowadays, the FYP research must be keep going. For the purpose of solar panel, I need to use 12V to 24 V solar panel which connected to battery. As I am using filter pump which receive AC , I need to used an inverter to convert DC to AC. In order to make sure the battery can last longer, I need to search for the one with higher Ah or ampere hour. Here are some sketching of the supply part.

supply part from solar

RESULTS/ ANALYSIS: 

Solar panel will be connected to solar charger and battery. The battery acts as a supply for short time condition like rainy days. Solar charger will have its own circuit. Other than solar, this project will be design to have another backup which is adapter which give direst electrical supply for longer time used if any bad condition faces like longer rainy days.

For this entry, I would like to reveal some of component that might be used in my project. As for the basic, it may consists of DC motor and 555 IC timer. I choose to use  555 Timer as it is really inexpensive, well-liked and helpful precision timing gadget that may act as both a easy timer to create solitary pulses or  time delays. Besides, lots of program can be added by using this type of IC timer.  Here are the basic pin configuration of 555 IC timer:

Pin configuration of 555 IC timer

CONCLUSION :

Then, there other basic components like relay, capacitor and resistor. Other than solar, I wish to add up adapter as backup for rainy days. It gonna take lots of work to upgrade the circuit then. As for now, the complete circuit planning is still in progress. I need to study and do lots of research for circuit connection. Wish me luck then, I need all the support. I am planning to make the survey regarding the price for each component and start to buy some of them.

" ...With ALLAH blessing, plus with Supervisor guidance, plus with Family support, plus with Friends advise, I know I will do my best to finish this project, INSYAALLAH..."

"Finding supply" cont.

WEEK 4                                                                        19 FEBRUARY 2012

TITLE : " Finding supply" cont.

OBJECTIVES : Continue entry for research of supply

CONTENTS / PROCEDURES: 

To be more clear, ("Finding supply" cont.) means this entry will continue discussing the previous topic which is Finding the supply for my FYP project. As before, I thought Hydroelectric is the best decision I ever made, but then, after having a discussion with my supervisor, solar energy come out as the best solution. Hydroelectric will be useful if the water pressure provided is higher. Unfortunately, based on my project idea before, the pressure is not sufficient  to provide electricity supply that needed. Thus, solar energy is the best decision momentarily.


What is solar energy?I know you guys has better understanding for solar energy. As for those who didn't, solar energy is used to convert the sun's radiation into electricity. Electricity can be generated photovoltaically from daylight. Light is made up of countless energy particles, known as photons. If these photons strike a semi-conducting material, such as solar PV panel, they set electrons in motion thus producing electricity.

 

Example of solar panel

RESULTS / ANALYSIS: 

 As for my project, I will be using nominal 12 V solar panel to charge 12 V battery that will use to supply the circuit for auto feed. The supply needed for timer and motor to function to drop the food. By using solar energy, the owner will save their budget for animal care as their electrical bill will be reduce. As a backup for any bad circumstances like raining day or cloudy day which last for a month, this auto feed also provide the use of 12V adapter to run the circuit.

CONCLUSION: 

For this moment, I need to do a deep research regarding the solar panel operation and link it with the circuit operation. Better understanding is needed to operate this stuff and to understand the power consume for each part in the project operation. Its a right time to do brainstorming regarding the project. I wish I had the same brain like Albert Einstein now. Oh ALLAH, help me to learn this thing smoothly.... Amin....

" ...With ALLAH blessing, plus with Supervisor guidance, plus with Family support, plus with Friends advise, I know I will do my best to finish this project, INSYAALLAH..."

Finding supply!!!!

WEEK 3                                                                     11 FEBRUARY 2012


TITLE : Finding Supply

OBJECTIVES :  Research on supply

CONTENTS / PROCEDURES : 

A busy week had started!! All of the FYP degree sem1 students are struggling with their project progress.. For this entry, I would like to write about alternative power sources for my project. I'm still in researching mood, looking for something interesting and efficient regarding the power sources. I need to find an alternative to replace the use of main electrical supply as I would like to create an energy saving project. Instead of using timer circuit, I also use a filter pump that will operate 24 hours and thus I need to find a better solution in order to achieve the goal for this project.

RESULTS / ANALYSIS :

There lots of renewable energy that might be used as an alternative power sources like solar, hydroelectric, biomass and also wind energy. For this time, I have a bit interest to use hydroelectric to generate power for my project. The idea is to build a mini hydro generator that will be put on the water tank used in the house. When the user used the water, the water tank will be filled up, and during that time, the mini hydro generator will play it role. But still it have some problem that need to be overcome. Well, it just an idea and I need to have some discussion with my supervisor then.

example of hydro generator

 CONCLUSION :

As I do my research, I accidentally find this interesting video about renewable energy. Its really inspired me to try it out. Its a video about a couple in Ontario, Canada who live completely off the grid using wind and solar power and a battery storage system.  They also recycle their water supply and drive a car that gets 70 miles to the gallon.  A great piece and worth video to watch!

" ...With ALLAH blessing, plus with Supervisor guidance, plus with Family support, plus with Friends advise, I know I will do my best to finish this project, INSYAALLAH..."

Proposal in process!!!

WEEK 2                                                                    1st FEBRUARY 2012

 TITLE : Proposal in Process!!!!

OBJECTIVES : Completing the Proposal

CONTENTS/ PROCEDURES: 

Assalamualaikum..... The battle of FYP project has just began. For this week, all the FYP degree sem 1 need to complete their own proposal regarding their project and of course its including me. Proposal means the description of the work that you will complete on a project. In general, proposal contains abstract, introduction, problem statement, literature review, methodology, objectives, benefits, work plan, budget, conclusion and references. It just sounds lots of work to me, =). But, to be success, there always needs to put more efforts isn't it? Like I said before, it just the beginning. There lots of things waiting in the future.

See, I told you, there lots more waiting in the future, =),  fighting!!!

RESULTS / ANALYSIS :

Actually I facing some problems to complete this proposal due to the decision of the supply used. I wish to invent this project with energy saving strategy like using the renewable energy. But then, my project involve with the use of the small filter pump which require range of 12 V. At the same time, this project also require Dc motor which is in the range of 5V.  After having a discussion with my supervisor, i decide to use electrical supply for the drink pump only and for the food, the timer circuit will use 12 V battery. In addition, it also provide a choice to the user whether to use electrical supply or battery for the food dispenser. I still do some research regarding the option to use renewable energy like solar.

Filter Pump

DC motor

CONCLUSION : 

As for the budget, the total investments is still within the limit which is below RM500. I wish to make the casing of this auto feed by myself by using food and drink container. For the food dispenser circuit, it will make up by using 555 timer IC, resistor and capacitor. For the time being, this auto feed will be upgrade with some features to make it more convenient to the user.

" ...With ALLAH blessing, plus with Supervisor guidance, plus with Family support, plus with Friends advise, I know I will do my best to finish this project, INSYAALLAH..."