reflective optosensor

[Rich Grise]

I've got a client who's designing yet another electric car. His idea
is a drop-in kit to convert your old VW to electric. Anyway, he's
got a VW pan and tranny and flywheel, and there's a nice surface
on the flywheel and a nice mounting place, so the design should be
fairly straightforward; but before I jump into that, isn't there
something available off-the-shelf that just puts out a 12V pulse
when it sees the white stripe? That way, all I'd have to do is
come up with some mounting scheme - otherwise I have to find a
circuit (which shouldn't be hard), lay out a board, and find somebody
to make the boards. I know there are prototype guys, but they want
gerber files or something, which I don't have software for, that
I know of. I've downloaded SWCadIII, but have hit the vertical
learning curve practically right off the bat; and does it do
layouts anyway? Are there PCB vendors that can take a bitmap
file or anything?

But my first choice would be just some module that's got 12V in,
and just outputs a pulse. Anybody know of anything like that?

When I do a google search, I get page after page of patents, ads,
etc; I probably don't know the right search terms. "Optosensor
module"? What should I search on?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[LVMarc]

I've got a client who's designing yet another electric car. His idea
is a drop-in kit to convert your old VW to electric. Anyway, he's
got a VW pan and tranny and flywheel, and there's a nice surface
on the flywheel and a nice mounting place, so the design should be
fairly straightforward; but before I jump into that, isn't there
something available off-the-shelf that just puts out a 12V pulse
when it sees the white stripe? That way, all I'd have to do is
come up with some mounting scheme - otherwise I have to find a
circuit (which shouldn't be hard), lay out a board, and find somebody
to make the boards. I know there are prototype guys, but they want
gerber files or something, which I don't have software for, that
I know of. I've downloaded SWCadIII, but have hit the vertical
learning curve practically right off the bat; and does it do
layouts anyway? Are there PCB vendors that can take a bitmap
file or anything?

But my first choice would be just some module that's got 12V in,
and just outputs a pulse. Anybody know of anything like that?

When I do a google search, I get page after page of patents, ads,
etc; I probably don't know the right search terms. "Optosensor
module"? What should I search on?

Thanks,
Rich

Rich,

I am a classic VW ownwer; 69 ragtop bug and 78 hippy van. Ansd in those
group modificing the igniton coil is taboo So that being said

Why not leave the distributir intact and place using the switch closer
of the TIMING PONS wthion you get a reasonable 12v to gnd signal at top
dead center and it's adjustable, ie like setting the timing....

I am not sure however thay filing a vw with batteies and equipment is
preferred to leaving it alone or restoring her to previous glory!
relaitivitly easy and way less cost than the taxes you pay on a new car,
for sure...

For new equipment rotational sensing opto is one way to go, however,
most real world automotive uses magnetic pich-up on rotating gear, as it
is dirt and environmental tolerant, the B field from magnetics goes
through dirt and grime.
If YOU NEED HELP AD WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THE SENSORS AS A TURN-KEY
MODLE , LET ME KNOW i HAVE XPOERIENCE IN MAKING ELECTONICS CONROLS FOR
ELECTIC AND HYDROGEN FUEL CEL VEHICLES..

mARC

 

[Ecnerwal]

But my first choice would be just some module that's got 12V in,
and just outputs a pulse. Anybody know of anything like that?

Sounds like DigiKey OR519-ND (Omron sensor module, $22.83 in quantity
one) would do what you want, I think.

 

[Rich Grise]

I am a classic VW ownwer; 69 ragtop bug and 78 hippy van. Ansd in those
group modificing the igniton coil is taboo So that being said

Why not leave the distributir intact and place using the switch closer of
the TIMING PONS wthion you get a reasonable 12v to gnd signal at top dead
center and it's adjustable, ie like setting the timing....

Yes, unfortunately, it has no IC engine. It's been completely removed,
to be replaced with a mongo electric motor. I asked the client, "Doesn't
the motor itself have some kind of tach output?" And he said it's some
kind of option, but it's $100.00 more.

I'm tempted to tell him, "Well, $100.00 for that is a lot less than the
$1200.00 it would cost to have me design something from scratch," but
I'd kinda rather research something.

I am not sure however thay filing a vw with batteies and equipment is
preferred to leaving it alone or restoring her to previous glory!
relaitivitly easy and way less cost than the taxes you pay on a new car,
for sure...

For new equipment rotational sensing opto is one way to go, however, most
real world automotive uses magnetic pich-up on rotating gear, as it is
dirt and environmental tolerant, the B field from magnetics goes through
dirt and grime.
If YOU NEED HELP AD WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THE SENSORS AS A TURN-KEY MODLE
, LET ME KNOW i HAVE XPOERIENCE IN MAKING ELECTONICS CONROLS FOR ELECTIC
AND HYDROGEN FUEL CEL VEHICLES..

Yes, I would LOVE to purchase a sensor as a turn-key module. Is your
email in the headers valid? Or you could email me at richgrise at
yahoo etc.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[mpm]

I've got a client who's designing yet another electric car. His idea
is a drop-in kit to convert your old VW to electric. Anyway, he's
got a VW pan and tranny and flywheel, and there's a nice surface
on the flywheel and a nice mounting place, so the design should be
fairly straightforward; but before I jump into that, isn't there
something available off-the-shelf that just puts out a 12V pulse
when it sees the white stripe? That way, all I'd have to do is
come up with some mounting scheme - otherwise I have to find a
circuit (which shouldn't be hard), lay out a board, and find somebody
to make the boards. I know there are prototype guys, but they want
gerber files or something, which I don't have software for, that
I know of. I've downloaded SWCadIII, but have hit the vertical
learning curve practically right off the bat; and does it do
layouts anyway? Are there PCB vendors that can take a bitmap
file or anything?

But my first choice would be just some module that's got 12V in,
and just outputs a pulse. Anybody know of anything like that?

When I do a google search, I get page after page of patents, ads,
etc; I probably don't know the right search terms. "Optosensor
module"? What should I search on?

Thanks,
Rich

Can't help with the VW or the sensor, but re: printed circuits, you
don't have to have Gerbers with many of the fab houses. For example,
www.expresspcb.com has their own downloadable software - which is some
of the simplest stuff you can imagine. But it gets the job done.
I'm sure the same is true of the others. With express, after you
place an order, for an additional $60 or so, they'll send you Gerbers
- which you'll want if your going to shop around for higher production
volumes. -mpm

 

[bg]

Rich Grise wrote in message ...

I've got a client who's designing yet another electric car. His idea
is a drop-in kit to convert your old VW to electric. Anyway, he's
got a VW pan and tranny and flywheel, and there's a nice surface
on the flywheel and a nice mounting place, so the design should be
fairly straightforward; but before I jump into that, isn't there
something available off-the-shelf that just puts out a 12V pulse
when it sees the white stripe? That way, all I'd have to do is
come up with some mounting scheme - otherwise I have to find a
circuit (which shouldn't be hard), lay out a board, and find somebody
to make the boards. I know there are prototype guys, but they want
gerber files or something, which I don't have software for, that
I know of. I've downloaded SWCadIII, but have hit the vertical
learning curve practically right off the bat; and does it do
layouts anyway? Are there PCB vendors that can take a bitmap
file or anything?

But my first choice would be just some module that's got 12V in,
and just outputs a pulse. Anybody know of anything like that?

When I do a google search, I get page after page of patents, ads,
etc; I probably don't know the right search terms. "Optosensor
module"? What should I search on?

Thanks,
Rich

I used to use reflective optical sensors on rotating machinery, pneumatics
etc. They were very rugged, sealed units. I can't remember the
manufacturers. Do a search for industrial controls
bg

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

I've got a client who's designing yet another electric car. His idea
is a drop-in kit to convert your old VW to electric. Anyway, he's
got a VW pan and tranny and flywheel, and there's a nice surface
on the flywheel and a nice mounting place, so the design should be
fairly straightforward; but before I jump into that, isn't there
something available off-the-shelf that just puts out a 12V pulse
when it sees the white stripe?

"See the white stripe"?

That'll last a couple of weeks until the tranny input shaft leaks some
lube. There's a reason that most distributor/crank/whatever position
sensing is done magnetically in automotive applications.

 

[Rich Grise]

Sounds like DigiKey OR519-ND (Omron sensor module, $22.83 in quantity one)
would do what you want, I think.

That one looks like it's just about perfect!

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

....

Can't help with the VW or the sensor, but re: printed circuits, you don't
have to have Gerbers with many of the fab houses. For example,
www.expresspcb.com has their own downloadable software - which is some of
the simplest stuff you can imagine. But it gets the job done. I'm sure
the same is true of the others. With express, after you place an order,
for an additional $60 or so, they'll send you Gerbers - which you'll want
if your going to shop around for higher production volumes. -mpm

Thanks, But, with the sensors that others have suggested, I might be
able to skate out of the PCB design.

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

Rich Grise wrote in message ...
I used to use reflective optical sensors on rotating machinery, pneumatics
etc. They were very rugged, sealed units. I can't remember the
manufacturers. Do a search for industrial controls bg

Thanks; Ecnerwal suggested an Omron sensor at Digi-key, which I think
might be just the ticket.

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

"See the white stripe"?

That'll last a couple of weeks until the tranny input shaft leaks some
lube. There's a reason that most distributor/crank/whatever position
sensing is done magnetically in automotive applications.

Well, "the customer is always right". If there's a magnetic sensor
that's as easy to use as Ecnerwal's Omron one, then we could probably
glue some magnets to the flywheel. He's had the teeth ground off the
starter ring gear.

Or, I could give him the famous 30-30 warranty - 30 seconds or 30 feet. ;-)

Thanks!
Rich

 

[mpm]

Well, "the customer is always right". If there's a magnetic sensor
that's as easy to use as Ecnerwal's Omron one, then we could probably
glue some magnets to the flywheel. He's had the teeth ground off the
starter ring gear.

Or, I could give him the famous 30-30 warranty - 30 seconds or 30 feet. ;-)

Thanks!
Rich- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"30 revolutions" might be more appropriate...

Also, I didn't bother to look at the datasheet, but be sure to
consider RPM (sensor response frequency). When I was searching gear-
tooth sensors a while back, I came across some that were really rather
slow. Some as low as 300 Hz. -mpm

 

[Rich Grise]

"30 revolutions" might be more appropriate...

Also, I didn't bother to look at the datasheet, but be sure to consider
RPM (sensor response frequency). When I was searching gear- tooth sensors
a while back, I came across some that were really rather slow. Some as
low as 300 Hz. -mpm

He's had the gear teeth ground off his flywheel, since an electric motor
doesn't need a starter. ;-) But I just got an email - I showed him the
Omron at Digikey that Ecnerwal suggested, and he's going to order a couple.

And, frankly, I don't expect a lot of dirt or grime insida a bell housing -
the throwout bearing lives in there, too, you know. And the time I had
to replace the clutch on my '71 Econoline, the inside of the bell housing
was more dusty than greasy. And if the sensor gets erratic, it'd be
simple enough to unscrew it and wipe off the dirt from the markings.

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

He's had the gear teeth ground off his flywheel, since an electric motor
doesn't need a starter. ;-) But I just got an email - I showed him the
Omron at Digikey that Ecnerwal suggested, and he's going to order a couple.

And, frankly, I don't expect a lot of dirt or grime insida a bell housing -
the throwout bearing lives in there, too, you know. And the time I had
to replace the clutch on my '71 Econoline, the inside of the bell housing
was more dusty than greasy. And if the sensor gets erratic, it'd be
simple enough to unscrew it and wipe off the dirt from the markings.

Grease, dust, road dirt, whatever. A blind opto sensor is a blind opto
sensor.

 

[Phil Hobbs]

Grease, dust, road dirt, whatever. A blind opto sensor is a blind opto
sensor.

I might grind a notch in the edge of the flywheel and use that with a
variable reluctance magnetic sensor. Doesn't have to be much--you could
probably do it with a file.

Cheers,

Phil Hobbs