The ELM380 is an 8 pin integrated circuit that is used to provide very long time interval outputs. It is typically used for enabling the charge circuit in Nickel Cadmium battery chargers, but can be easily adapted for many other applications. An express `one button' mode is provided on chip specifically for rechargeable battery circuits. In this mode, pressing the start button once initiates a user selectable 8 or 14 hour timing interval, after which the circuit shuts off. If one prefers, pressing that same button multiple times will allow for user programmable intervals of from 2 to 77 hours. The circuit requires a 60Hz full-wave rectified signal for its operation. This 120Hz time base is used for all of the timekeeping functions, providing good long term stability and low cost. Interfacing to the ELM380 is simplified by the provision of internal pull-up resistors so that the mechanical switches can be directly connected without additional components, or simply not used, depending on the application. |